Manufacturing Equipment Engineer Trainee

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.

Position Summary:

As a Graduate Trainee in Manufacturing Equipment Engineering, you will gain hands-on experience in smart manufacturing within a high-volume production environment. You’ll support the maintenance and optimization of optical, mechanical, electrical, and fluidics systems to enhance equipment reliability and uptime. The role involves applying engineering principles to troubleshoot issues, drive continuous improvement, and assist in the adoption of the new SAP ERP system.

Position Responsibilities:

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Complete all required training (e.g., cGMP, safety, work instructions) within the stipulated timeframe.

• Perform assigned tasks in full compliance with cGMP, safety, quality, and work instruction requirements.

• Uphold safety protocols, quality standards, and company policies at all times.

• Maintain high standards of workplace organization and cleanliness through 6S practices.

• Report and escalate any work-related or personal concerns promptly to supervisors.

• Meet daily production schedules and performance objectives.

• Support the team by taking on additional responsibilities or ad hoc tasks when required

Equipment Maintenance & Reliability

• Perform preventive maintenance activities and assist in less routine maintenance tasks under supervision.

• Execute repair and recovery procedures to restore equipment and system functionality.

• Learn and optimize equipment asset data within the ERP system to improve data accuracy and traceability.

• Identify and update critical spare parts in SAP to ensure operational continuity.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to equipment performance improvement and reliability enhancement initiatives.

• Support and promote continuous improvement programs such as 6S and Lean practices.

• Review and update work instructions and maintenance documentation to ensure consistent execution and performance.

Incident Investigation & Reporting

• Participate in incident investigations, contributing to data gathering, analysis, and report preparation.

• Support team members during investigations and corrective action implementation.

• Apply sound technical writing techniques to produce clear, concise, and accurate documentation.

Learning & Technical Development

• Develop hands-on competency in troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining automation and PLC systems.

• Assist technicians and engineers in resolving chronic or recurring equipment issues.

• Support improvements to existing maintenance processes for better efficiency and reliability.

• Participate in the design and optimization of automation equipment to enhance product quality, cycle time, and cost efficiency.

Note: Listed responsibilities are essential but not exhaustive. Duties may evolve based on business needs.

Position Requirements

• Strong understanding of electrical, electronics, mechanical, and pneumatic diagrams.

• Commitment to compliance with cGMP, quality, and safety practices.

• Ability to support the transition from manual to automated processes.

• Willingness to learn and contribute to ERP system adoption.

• Gain experience in troubleshooting PLCs (e.g., Beckhoff, Allen Bradley).

• Ability to complete tasks safely and efficiently.

• High level of discipline, integrity, and attention to detail.

• Capacity to manage multiple tasks effectively.

• Ability to work in noisy and chemical environments with appropriate PPE.

• Visual acuity to differentiate colors for component and chemical identification.

• Positive attitude, sense of urgency, and organizational skills.

• Physical ability to safely lift weights up to 15kg.

All listed requirements are considered essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made based on business conditions.

Preferred Experience/Education/Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical or Mechatronics will have added advantage.

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.