Illumina

Manufacturing Equipment Engineer 2

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.

Step into a role where your expertise keeps innovation moving. As an Equipment Engineer II on Illumina’s Metrology team, you’ll be at the heart of Flow Cell Manufacturing—owning and maintaining critical equipment, ensuring smooth operations, and driving the introduction and scale-up of new products and technologies. This is a chance to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that supports multiple cutting-edge processes, helping Illumina deliver its complex product pipeline reliably and sustainably. If you’re passionate about precision, problem-solving, and making an impact in genomics, this is where your skills will shape the future.

Responsibilities:

  • Learn and understand new instruments and create a maintenance programs to provide continually improving equipment availability

  • Work with engineers to develop and implement procedures to reduce or eliminate sources of systematic equipment failures

  • Install new equipment and work with facilities on associated prep

  • Participate in tool down select (especially around tool automation), work with vendors during equipment design phase, and improve support for manufacturing instruments

  • Data-mining large datasets to uncover sources of systematic error

  • Understand basic internal instrument communication (RS232, PLC, IO)

  • Create innovative solutions to technical problems

  • Perform basic computer repair functions

  • Work with lasers and laser alignment

  • Able to learn or execute basic scripting and data analysis

Listed responsibilities are an essential, but not exhaustive list, of the usual duties associated with the position. Changes to individual responsibilities may occur due to business needs

Requirements:

  • Advanced electronics trouble-shooting including reading of schematics

  • Ability to learn and understand component level failures in large instruments

  • Computer trouble-shooting and repair (preferred experience with Microsoft Windows)

  • Ability to communicate and document equipment issues

  • Ability to learn new tasks quickly

  • Demonstrated continuous improved performance of instruments and ability to communicate these improvements to process and R&D engineers

  • Optimistic when faced with setbacks

  • Demonstrated experience with hands on design and troubleshooting needs to be clearly demonstrated for these candidates

  • Experience with Semiconductor equipment and Fab best practices

  • Excellent familiarity with standard laboratory practices

  • High level of familiarity with lasers, laser-optics, electro-optics, electronics or related technical field required

  • Experience sourcing instrument components from non-OEM suppliers

  • Knowledge and skills typically acquired through previous positions in fast-paced corporate environments which involved responsibility for similar work

  • Travel up to 10%

All listed requirements are deemed as essential functions to this position; however, business conditions may require reasonable accommodations for additional task and responsibilities.

Experience/Education:

  • 3-5 years of related experience with a bachelor’s degree; or equivalent work experience

  • GMP experience is a HUGE plus

  • Experience with PLC

The estimated base salary range for the Manufacturing Equipment Engineer 2 role based in the United States of America is: $73,400 - $110,200. 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.