Illumina

Engineer 1 - Development

US - California - San Diego Full time
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.

We are looking for a highly talented, research-minded and experimental Development Engineer to become a member of the Consumables Engineering Department.  You will play an integral role in fabricating, characterizing, and prototyping the next generation of micro- and nano-scale sensors, fluidic devices and test setups for DNA sequencing.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to technology at the foundation of Illumina’s future products. The individual will be a key contributor to the development of consumable substrates and fluidic devices utilized in Illumina’s sequencing platforms. The successful candidate will be part of vibrant, diverse and multidisciplinary teams, performing experiments aimed at answering basic scientific questions and industrial manufacturing challenges with a primary focus on developing products that change lives and have profound commercial implications. 

Responsibilities:

Depending on the qualifications of the selected applicant, job duties will include but are not limited to the following:

  • Fabrication of micro/nanoscale features and devices and testing their integration with chemical and biological systems; this requires working at internal and university cleanroom facilities
  • Physical device characterization (SEM, AFM, high resolution optical microscopy, etc) to understand failure modes
  • Design of experimental protocols and execution of experiments with a high level of attention to detail
  • Keeping detailed lab notebooks, preparing reports, invention disclosures, updates and summaries for managers and teams as directed

Education/Experience:

  • Typically requires 0 to 2 years of previous professional experience
  • B.S. in an engineering or science discipline (Nanoengineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Physics, or a closely related field)
  • Hands on experience in cleanroom environment and familiarity with typical techniques for micro/nanofabrication and characterization
  • Basic knowledge of engineering principles and methods to perform entry-level professional engineering functions
  • Ability to design experiments and analyze limited to large amounts of data
  • Be able to think and adapt to a rapidly changing environment
  • Aptitude for independent research in addition to working well within a team

Strong preference will be given to individuals with intense curiosity about the world around them and demonstrated ability for digging deep into experimental methods and results.

#LI-ONSITE

The estimated base salary range for the Engineer 1 - Development role based in the United States of America is: $68,400 - $102,600. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications, location where the role is to be performed, internal equity, and alignment with market data. 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 accommodations@illumina.com. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. 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.