About DropletPharma Corp.
DropletPharma is developing two microscale devices to vastly accelerate radiopharmaceutical discovery and production and execute our vision to drastically improve health outcomes. As Head of Engineering on our team, you will be tasked with taking ownership of both systems and implementing core improvements to all aspects, while interfacing with the electrical and software teams. This will be an in-person position in Los Angeles, CA, involving significant hands-on engineering work, operating out of UCLA's Magnify incubator at the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI).
What you will have ownership over:
- Spearheading the development and integration for our flagship droplet-based microscale radiochemistry production and discovery systems through design and spec of mechanical, fluidic, thermal and motion subsystems (and interfaces among them) towards a commercial prototype
- Designing mechanical parts and assemblies using CAD tools to guide designs
- Design fluidic and pneumatic circuits using manifolds and microfluidics, emphasizing compactness and low weight, low cost, reliability, and robustness
- Implement, test, and characterize prototypes
- Analyze test data to understand and optimize subsystem performance
- Work with product design engineer to develop and integrate consumables
- Interface with vendors and external parties as needed
- Create and maintain design documentation
- Develop SOPs and operating guides for the prototype systems
What we hope to see on your resume/CV:
- M.S. or Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering, systems engineering or similar
- 5+ years of experience leading mechanical design projects
- 5+ years of experience in systems integration and automation
- 5+ years of experience designing complex parts and assemblies using computer-aided design tools (e.g. SolidWorks)
- Hands-on experience with fluidic, pneumatic, thermal and motion actuation systems
- Hands-on experience with implementation of actuation systems, sensors, and control systems
- Knowledge of material properties (mechanical and thermal properties, chemical compatibility, etc.)
- Experience in managing technology development projects from proof-of-concept to prototype through to productization and manufacturing
- Knowledge of diverse manufacturing methods (traditional machining, 3D printing, molding, sheet metal, etc.)
- Experience designing systems with robotics or moving parts
- Experience designing products for end users
- Experience designing for manufacturing and servicing
- Experience gathering requirements and documenting technically complex projects
What we hope to observe about you during our conversation about your work (even one great project/experience can cover all these!):
- Meticulous, logical, fundamental approach across all your work
- A demonstrated deep curiosity
- Examples of how you tackled roadblocks and cleared them
- Experience in collaborating across engineering disciplines (e.g., interacting with electrical engineers, software teams, etc. on large projects)
- Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment, adapt to changes and deliver on milestones on tight timelines
- Comfortable working as part of a startup team, working closely and supporting all team members, and taking on outsized responsibility of assigned projects and tasks and demonstrating ability to suggest key improvements - including ones that shape the company’s future
- Ability to communicate key messages of your work succinctly across written, oral and slide presentations, and have mastery over your work such that you can elaborate deeply when needed
- Something extraordinary you've accomplished and are particularly proud of
And finally, experience that would be great, but not required:
- Machining experience (e.g., CNC milling)
- Knowledge of chemical engineering
- Knowledge of chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing
- 3D printing and rapid prototyping experience
- Microfluidics work
Ensuring purpose and belonging at our company:
Cancer and other debilitating diseases don’t discriminate, and neither do we. DropletPharma is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace – we need it to ensure we have the perspective necessary to build out cancer infrastructure that saves people’s lives. We will provide the best possible environment to ensure that our team members feel seen and have purpose in the work they do. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
Benefits:
DropletPharma aims to provide competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits to our employees. In addition to salary, we offer the following benefits to all full-time employees:
- Equity
- Covered health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
- Flexible paid time off (expectation of 3 weeks) for full-time employees
Please note that we are unable to sponsor a visa for this position, and therefore can only consider applications from individuals already authorized to work in the United States. Although our primary location is in Los Angeles, CA, we welcome applications from candidates residing anywhere.
The pay range for this role is:
160,000 - 180,000 USD per year (Los Angeles, CA)