Staff System Architect

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

The Staff Systems Architect will be responsible for providing leadership to cross functional teams to develop industry-leading DNA sequencing instruments for clinical applications in an exciting, fast-paced environment. The foundation of all activities for this role is a wide, solid grasp of multiple areas of engineering physics and molecular biology, and the ability to climb new learning curves quickly. Primary responsibilities include mapping complex workflows, development of system models/budgets, contributing to system & sub-system architecture, and developing test strategies for critical parameter understanding and verification. The candidate should possess strong organizational and communication skills to facilitate successful product development across hardware, consumable, firmware, software, and chemistry teams.

Job Activities:

• Build the information foundation for successful architecture activity. Create and maintain documents, models, & diagrams describing functional workflows. Examples include biochemistry workflows, hardware timing diagrams, and assembly process workflows.
• Develop system models that guide design decisions. These can include system tolerance budgets, performance models, COGS models, etc. Provide mentorship to sub-system engineers in the development of models that guide lower level design decisions.
• Support architecture definition by working across sub-system design teams to align overlapping design requirements /constraints and drive teams in developing concepts, evaluating risks, and efficiently concluding on a design path.
• Develop, manage, execute test strategies for Critical Parameter Management which identify the sensitivities and acceptable operating ranges for input parameters relative to output metrics. Leverage Design of Experiments for efficient coverage of complex parameter space.
• Own the seams between teams, especially including the definition and documentation of inputs/outputs between hardware sub-system design and other teams such as software, firmware and electrical engineering teams.
• Lead teams through complex root-cause analysis in which there are many possible root causes that involve various areas of physics. Mentor others on systematic best practices for problem solving (8D method, fish-bone diagrams, etc.).
• Manage teams and projects including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and reporting. Teams will include both internal engineering teams and external design & manufacturing partners.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Staff Engineer: Engineering or Physics M.S. with at least 8 years of experience or Ph.D. with at least 3 years of experience in instrumentation design.
• Demonstrated track record of rapidly climbing steep learning curves. Enthusiasm for tackling tough problems on an aggressive schedule.
• Strong analytical background, with record of using system models to drive decisions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills (ability to distill complex technical information into product decisions and business recommendations).
• Demonstrated experience with characterization and testing of complex systems, including design of experiments and root cause analysis.
• Proven performance in product development in an industrial setting, bringing a product from concept to commercial launch.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience developing products in a regulated environment (FDA 510k approval process)
• Technically proficient in disciplines including optics, microfluidics, heat transfer, precision motion, and electronics.
• Experience with a wide range of manufacturing technologies including high precision techniques, low cost/high volume techniques, micro-fabrication techniques, design for manufacturing, and design for reliability.
• Fluency in the methods and vocabulary of nucleic acid analytical techniques and molecular biology.
• Specific experience with product development for laboratory instrumentation for biological analysis.

#LI-ONSITE

The estimated base salary range for the Staff System Architect role based in the United States of America is: $118,200 - $177,200. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long-term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. To learn more, visit: The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.