Principal Mechanical Engineer II, Early Research and Development

The Fountain Group is currently seeking a Mechanical Engineer for a prominent client of ours.  This position is located in Santa Clara, CA. Details for the position are as follows:

Job Description:

Pay: $40-$80/hr 

Shift: 100% Onsite

Duration: 6-months to start – potential to extend or convert based on performance and budget.

Overview:

This is a hands-on role for a multidisciplinary expert focused on solving the core mechanical challenges at the heart of our next-generation platforms. You will be responsible for concepting, designing, building, and testing Client electro-mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, and fluidic solutions that ensure the ultimate performance, reliability, and longevity of our systems. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will play a vital role in driving innovation for our next-generation instrumentation. We are looking for someone that exhibits a high degree of motivation, independence, and resourcefulness to help us develop solutions to Client DNA Sequencing and automation challenges in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

• You will lead the end-to-end mechanical design and development of mechanical sub-systems including electro-mechanical, pneumatic, fluidic, and thermal components.
• You will collaborate with engineers from other disciplines (electrical, consumables, materials) to define and manage all critical technical interfaces for your module.
• You will develop Client mechanisms for automated reagent and flow cell loading, clamping, and sealing, ensuring reliability over repeated use.
• You will architect and design thermal control systems, including the specification and integration of heating/cooling elements, sensors, condensation control, and heat management.
• You will partner with internal and external simulation experts to guide and validate CFD, thermal, and optical models, using empirical data to refine designs.
• You will serve as the primary technical expert for your sub-system during integration, verification, and troubleshooting activities, working directly with the Systems Integration team.
• You will lead cross-functional design reviews, driving alignment and resolving technical trade-offs between mechanical design, consumables, materials, and assay requirements.
• You will drive the technical execution for sub-systems, manage timelines for your design deliverables, and contribute to the overall project plan.
• You will create and maintain all design documentation for your sub-systems, including detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications.
• You will contribute to the technical strategy for the future integrated system, providing data-driven recommendations on architecture and technology choices based on your sub-system's performance.
• You will present technical progress, data, and design trade-offs to the broader project team and key stakeholders, clearly articulating the rationale and impact of engineering decisions.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering required.

Must have expertise in 2 of the following: fluidics, pneumatics, electromechanical/automation, and thermal.

Must have experience within the pharmaceutical, medical device or biotechnology industry.

3D modeling, whiteboarding and prototyping and testing components is preferred.

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