Sr. Technical Leader, Technology & Platform, Research & Early Development

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At Roche, we are working to make next-generation sequencing simple and accessible enough for routine use. By accelerating clinical research, streamlining workflows, and expanding assay menus, we are broadening access to genomic data and lowering barriers to adoption. From robust sample isolation and preparation tools to novel sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics, we are developing differentiated, highly integrated end-to-end solutions for next-generation sequencing, resulting in a sample in, result out workflow.

Our Systems Technology Group, a part of Roche Sequencing Solutions, is seeking an accomplished technical leader and visionary to drive next-generation instrument research and early development projects. This is a rare opportunity for a hands-on, multi-disciplinary expert to help architect these next-generation systems and lead the technical teams responsible for designing, building and testing them. As a technical project lead, you will be responsible for synthesizing user needs and advanced chemistry into a cohesive system and for orchestrating the complex interplay between hardware, software, consumables, and biology to deliver functional, high-performance prototypes. This is a role for an expert who thrives on bridging the gap between strategy and implementation, serving as both a key strategic partner and the hands-on technical leader driving execution during the critical research and early development phases.

The Opportunity

Technical Project Leadership & Execution

• You will serve as the technical project lead for next-generation instruments, driving projects from concept through functional prototypes, by leading design, building, testing, and troubleshooting activities.

• You will translate user needs into technical blueprints, decompose system-level requirements into subsystem specifications, and guide data-driven decisions through trade-off studies and technology down-selection.

• You will direct the end-to-end experimental lifecycle for system characterization and verification, including experimental design, planning, execution, troubleshooting, data analysis, and review for all materials, components, breadboards, and prototypes.

• You will drive innovation and influence the R&D technology roadmap by rolling up your sleeves to create and test novel concepts, generate intellectual property, and champion new technologies that define the future of our platforms.

Team & Resource Management:

• You will be a key leader in recruiting, mentoring, and developing a world-class, multi-disciplinary R&D team, fostering a culture of strong work ethics, systems-level thinking, engineering and data-driven rigor, and rapid learning cycles.

• You will act as a hands-on technical leader, capable of executing the work as an individual contributor while mentoring and cultivating the next generation of technical leaders within the organization.

• You will coordinate the activities of a multi-disciplinary team while managing technical scope, risk, and resources to drive progress against ambitious project milestones.

• You will identify resource needs and effectively pitch those needs to senior leadership to ensure project success.

• You will identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with critical technology partners, vendors, and suppliers for key subsystems and components.

Hands-on Problem Solving & System Characterization:

• You will personally lead and contribute to the most critical troubleshooting efforts, directing root cause analysis at the complex interface of hardware, software, consumables, and sequencing chemistry.

• You will partner with hardware, software, reagent and assay research and development leads to guide the technical strategy for early-stage system verification and integration, defining robust test plans and using data-driven analysis to ensure prototypes meet or exceed all target specifications.

• You will oversee the research and early development of critical system-level processes and workflows, such as key fluidic protocols, to ensure robust and reliable instrument performance.

• You will own key system-level documentation, including architectural diagrams, interface control documents, technical risk assessments, and verification plans, ensuring they are living documents that reflect the latest experimental findings.

A cover letter is required for this application.

Please outline your relevant experience and explain why you are interested in this role and Roche.

Who You Are:
(Required)

Core Technical Experience & Expertise

• You have a Ph.D. in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience; OR a Master's degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline with at least 12 years of relevant industry experience; OR a Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering or a closely related discipline with at least 14 years of relevant industry experience.

• You have a demonstrated track record of serving as a technical lead or principal engineer for at least one full product development cycle of a complex life science instrument, from concept through to commercialization.

• You have demonstrated success leading system-level testing of instruments with complex hardware, software, consumables, reagents, assays, and workflows in a sequencing, life sciences, or diagnostics R&D environment.

• You possess deep, hands-on expertise in at least one core engineering discipline with broad, system-level knowledge across others, demonstrated by your experience designing, building, and troubleshooting complex instrumentation involving fluidics, thermal control, and advanced sensing or detection technologies.

• You possess a strong foundational knowledge of the scientific principles underlying next-generation sequencing, including molecular biology, biochemistry, and surface chemistry, enabling you to facilitate effective collaborations between engineering, assay and workflow development teams.

Systems Engineering & Project Execution

• You have proven expertise in applying a systematic, data-driven approach (including DOE and statistical analysis using JMP, R, or Python) to troubleshoot complex issues at the interface of biology, chemistry, and engineering.

• You have proven experience translating vision and high-level requirements into detailed system and subsystem specifications, and the ability to think strategically, connecting project-level decisions to long-term business and technology goals.

• You have excellent project management and organizational skills, with proven experience planning, prioritizing, and allocating resources to successfully manage multiple technical projects.

• You have experience leading technical risk management activities and developing robust mitigation strategies.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• You have demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate complex technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• You have successfully demonstrated the ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary engineering teams, serving as both a manager and a technical mentor.

• You are an action-oriented and decisive problem-solver, thriving in a fast-paced environment where you work with a sense of urgency, optimism, and deep scientific curiosity.

Preferred:

• You have direct experience with the design and development of next-generation sequencing instrumentation.

• You have hands-on experience with detailed mechanical design for complex instrumentation, including proficiency with SolidWorks.

• You have direct experience with advanced microfluidic systems, from design and fabrication to system integration and control.

• You have demonstrated the ability to solve unique or unprecedented issues that span hardware, software, chemistry, and consumables.

• You have experience developing products in a regulated environment using rigorous methodologies such as Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) and statistical process control for system characterization and optimization.

• You have a strong record of innovation, demonstrated by a portfolio of patents and/or publications in relevant fields.

• You have experience managing external development partners, vendors, and contract manufacturers.

• You possess a deep scientific curiosity and an innate desire to learn, be challenged, and challenge the status quo.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Santa Clara, CA is $145,000 - $318,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let's build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

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