Lightcast Discovery is hiring a

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Our mission is to push the boundaries of complex cell analysis. Using the Lightcast platform we are working with major pharmaceutical companies, leading academic institutes, and innovative biotechnology leaders. Together, using our next generation microfluidic platform, we are making advances towards new science, unique clinical approaches, new therapies, and innovative products. 

The Lightcast platform allows precise, highly flexible, and massively parallel control of tens to hundreds of thousands of picolitre volume microdroplets using beams of light and powerful software logic. By sequentially combining droplets containing different cells, antibodies, cancer drugs, reporters and /or other reagents, we can perform complex workflows and assays at scale with a flexibility far beyond what is currently possible on any cell analysis platform.

About the role:

We are developing our engineering team and are seeking a senior mechanical engineer with relevant technical expertise to join us and lead mechanical engineering and design activities in the development of the Lightcast Platform. Experience designing complex, mechatronic and fluidic instruments and consumables would be highly advantageous. 

We’re a friendly and open-minded team where flexible working is available, career development is fully supported and many learning opportunities are provided. Due to the strongly collaborative and hands-on technical nature of the role, you will be based in our new West Cambridge offices with frequent visits to our Manufacturing site 2 miles away, though some remote working is possible. 

Your responsibilities will include 

  • Cross-functional collaboration, working with our development, manufacturing and support teams to design, develop, deliver and maintain our products 
  • Leadership in and advocacy for good product engineering practice 
  • Technical review of projects, as a subject matter expert 
  • PDM administration 
  • Designing new mechanical, optical and fluidic scientific instrument assemblies  
  • Designing new mechatronic systems to interface with the scientific instrument platform   
  • Work on human factors and DFx tasks  
  • Devising system tests, validation tests and metrology experiments   
  • Technical documentation of design outputs and rationale 
  • Process development, definition and documentation 
  • Leading and participating in requirements engineering activities, dFMEA, design reviews, verification, change control 

Requirements 

We would expect you to have: 

  • A first-class or 2:1 degree in Engineering, or a closely related discipline    
  • Extensive experience in developing and delivering complex products to market, up to and beyond product launch  
  • Significant expertise using CAD software and PLM, including SOLIDWORKS PDM  
  • A strong technical track record in designing complex mechatronic products for manufacture, serviceability and cost 
  • Design experience for manufacture via a range of appropriate standard techniques, including machining, welding, plastic injection moulding etc 
  • Experience working closely with suppliers to improve designs for manufacture and ensure delivery to specification 
  • Demonstratable experience working within a controlled product life cycle and change management framework to lead and maintain good-practice design, development, control and engineering processes 
  • As an experienced Mechanical Engineer you will have developed great technical leadership skills, resilience and the ability to learn from setbacks, excellent attention to detail, problem-solving skills and creativity. 
  • You will have strong collaboration and team working skills, enabling you to work effectively with colleagues at all levels from engineering, other technical and commercial disciplines, across a range of projects and initiatives 

It would be advantageous for you to have: 

  • Experience developing opto-mechanics, precision motion control and fluidics assemblies 
  • PDM admin experience 
  • Experience working within quality systems for regulated environments (e.g. ISO 13485 GxP etc), although ISO 9001 is also acceptable 
  • A track record of working in a multidisciplinary environment 
  • Experience interacting with outsourced development partners 
  • Willingness to travel (frequency will be project-dependent, but as a guide 1-2 weeks per quarter) 

We offer a generous benefits package including:    

  • 26 days holiday, plus Public Holidays
  • Flexible working hours
  • Pension contribution matched up to 7%
  • Private medical insurance
  • Income protection
  • Life insurance
  • Subsidized gym membership and weekly cross fit sessions
  • Access to Cycle to Work and Technology schemes
  • Enhanced family leave policies 

At Lightcast, we recruit on a rolling basis, meaning we carry on recruiting until we find the right person for the role being advertised. We tend to compare individuals to the role specification rather than to each other. 

About Lightcast 
 
Lightcast Discovery is a bio-tools company developing a platform that combines the flexibility to analyse a wide range of cell types and assays with precise control over droplet number, occupancy, location and movement. Working with major pharmaceutical companies and leading academic institutes. Together, using our next generation microfluidic platform, we are driving scientific innovation, developing unique therapeutic approaches, and forging a path to exciting new scientific discoveries. Learn more about Lightcast Discovery at https://www.lightcast.bio/. 
 
Lightcast Discovery is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 
 
At Lightcast, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way in our book. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background and what you can bring to Lightcast Discovery. 
 
Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Lightcast Discovery does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lightcast or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lightcast Discovery’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lightcast Discovery, and Lightcast Discovery will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.

Apply for this job

Please mention you found this job on AI Jobs. It helps us get more startups to hire on our site. Thanks and good luck!

Get hired quicker

Be the first to apply. Receive an email whenever similar jobs are posted.

Ace your job interview

Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.

Mechanical Engineer Q&A's
Report this job
Apply for this job