Principal Electrical Engineer
Apton Biosystems
Principal Electrical Engineer
PacBio (NASDAQ: PACB) is a premier life science technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced sequencing solutions to help scientists and clinical researchers resolve genetically complex problems. Our mission is to enable the promise of genomics to better human health. Genomics is core to all biological processes, and our advanced genomics tools provide scientists and clinical researchers the insights to better understand biology and health. We are now entering the century of biology, and genomics is at the heart of the next revolution. Become part of the new paradigm in gene sequencing and help shape the future of genomic study by joining the PacBio team.
Position Summary:
The Principal Electrical Engineer will define the electronic system architecture for complex sequencing instruments, driving board- and system-level design, while mentoring a small team of engineers to deliver robust, scalable, production-ready solutions.
Responsibilities:
- Define and own the electronic system architecture for next-generation sequencing instruments, including the number, function, and interconnection of circuit boards, cabling, harnessing, and integration with mechanical and optical subsystems, and the power budget.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product marketing, instrument control software, analysis software, sequencing chemistry, systems engineering, mechanical, and optical teams to translate requirements into robust electrical designs.
- Design, prototype, and validate complex mixed-signal (analog + digital) circuit boards, including embedded processors, high-speed interfaces, programmable logic (FPGAs), motor drivers, and sensor conditioning.
- Specify and integrate power distribution and management systems, ensuring safety, efficiency, EMI/EMC compliance, and robust operation across instrument operating environments.
- Develop cabling and interconnect strategies that account for mechanical fit, serviceability, manufacturability, and reliability.
- Drive design reviews for circuit boards and subsystems, ensuring that requirements are met and risks are mitigated early.
- Partner with manufacturing and new product introduction (NPI) teams to ensure smooth transition of designs into scalable production, including DFM/DFA/DFS considerations and supplier engagement, and post launch issue resolution.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety requirements, such as UL, CE, FCC/EMC, and relevant FDA/ISO standards for laboratory instrumentation.
- Mentor, coach, and lead a team of electrical, FPGA, and firmware engineers, fostering technical growth and ensuring high engineering standards.
- Contribute hands-on to test setup, board testing, debugging, bring-up, and system integration when needed, while maintaining a strategic architectural perspective.
- Own risk management for the electrical subsystem, driving failure mode analyses (FMEA), test planning, and root cause investigations.
- Stay current with emerging technologies (processors, FPGAs, sensors, high-speed interconnects) and introduce innovations that improve instrument performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Required Qualifications:
- Typically requires a minimum of 11-14 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or a minimum of 9-12 years with a Master’s degree; or a minimum of 8-11 years with a PhD.
- A degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
- Demonstrated competency in electronic board designs and transitioning products to manufacturing.
- Proficient at schematic capture and PCB layout using Altium, OrCAD and Cadence Allegro CAD/EDA design tools.
- Experienced in signal integrity and EMI/EMC design techniques for PCBA design.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience leading cross-disciplinary design reviews involving mechanical, optical, and software teams.
- Proven track record of mentoring junior engineers and fostering technical excellence in a small team environment.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Non-Field Based Employees are required to be onsite Monday-Thursday (Friday work from home). Depending on the role, some employees may be required to be 100% onsite.
You may be required from time to time to visit and work at PacBio locations and for such times as the Company considers necessary for the proper performance of your duties.
All listed tasks and responsibilities are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional tasks and responsibilities.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
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Salary Range:
$195,900.00 - $293,900.00
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at PacBio. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. PacBio does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, PacBio employees or any other company location. PacBio is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact us at 650-521-8000, or careers@pacificbiosciences.com for assistance.
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