Senior Systems Engineer (Optical Design) - Ann Arbor, MI

Senior Systems Engineer (Optical Design)

Sartorius has an onsite position available for a Senior Systems Engineer (Optical Design) at our Ann Arbor, MI site. As part of the Sartorius BioAnalytical Instruments group, as the Senior Systems Engineer, you will have an exciting opportunity to utilize their systems knowledge to contribute to the design and development of instruments used in the life sciences market.

This role is responsible for the design, integration, and characterization of complex optical and imaging systems for the Incucyte product platform. The Incucyte platform is built around a live‑cell imaging system that operates inside a standard cell culture incubator and automatically acquires and analyzes images of living cells over time.

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the design and development of optical systems, review and refine engineering requirements, perform systems integration and testing, and conduct experiments and research activities. You will apply systems engineering tools and methodologies to integrate Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, Fluidics, and Software subsystems into robust, high‑performance products.

What you will accomplish together with us:

• Design and optimize optical systems to enhance our live‑cell imaging architecture.
• Conduct system‑level characterization and verification of complex instruments; collect, organize, analyze, and document test results.
• Lead and/or perform the development and management of user needs and product requirements, including verification and validation activities.
• Lead and/or perform risk assessments (e.g., DFMEA, hazard analyses) at the system and subsystem levels.
• Ensure quality in product design with respect to usability, reliability, functionality, marketability, and manufacturability.
• Provide engineering support for the design, development, and troubleshooting of instruments throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support the organization's intellectual property strategy by documenting data and novel, patentable ideas resulting from experimentation and concept generation activities.

What will convince us:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical, Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical Engineering, or a related scientific or engineering field; an advanced degree is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or a closely related role.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in optical design of illumination and imaging systems for microscopy or similar applications.
• Minimum 1 year of knowledge of Lasers and Wavefunction
• Applications like COMSOL, and Zmax or Ray tracing applications is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to apply systems engineering principles to the development of complex products or instruments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and stakeholders in parallel.
• Experience with micro‑fluidics is a plus.
• Identification with our core values: Sustainability, Openness, Enjoyment.

What We Offer:

As a growing global life science company, Sartorius offers a wide range of benefits: Personal and Professional Development: Mentoring, leadership programs, internal seminar offerings Worklife Balance: Paid vacation, sick time, corporate holidays and community service day; as well as flexible work schedules Making an Impact Right from the Start: Comprehensive onboarding, including a virtual online platform Welcoming Culture: Mutual support, team spirit and international collaboration; communities on numerous topics such as "Coaching", "Agile Working" and a "Businesswomen's Network" Health & Well Being: Wide selection of health and well-being support such as a variety of medical plans to choose from, dental, vision, EAP, and other wellness programs. Intelligent Working Environment: Working in smart buildings with the latest technology and equipment.

Retirement Savings Plan: 401 k (with generous company match) Flexible Spending: HSA, FSA (dependent care & healthcare spending), Transportation Commuter Account Company Paid Benefits: Basic Life Insurance, AD&D, EAP, Family Planning & Women's Health, Health Advocate Additional/Optional: Supplemental Life Insurance (employee, spouse & dependents), Legal Services, LTD & STD, Critical Illness Insurance, Student Loan Tuition Refinance Service

Sartorius is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability or based on status in any other protected group of class.

Join our global team and become part of the solution. We are looking forward to receiving your application.