Principal Engineer - US

Position Objective: The Global Instrumentation and Engineering at Invitrogen is an ambitious effort to create distributed lab automation systems that allow life science researchers to escape today’s tedious lab environment. The Application Architect will be the bridge between life technologies sciences and engineering. He or she will help create novel solution concepts, supported by actual workflow observations. While the main responsibility of the Application Architect is to create new concepts, the role will also help as consultant for other programs and ideas on how to reduce tedious work in lab environments. The Application Architect will team closely with the Hardware System Architect in our Global Instrumentation team to make sure created solutions are technically feasible. He or she will collaborate with other engineers in Global Instrumentation group to ensure that their work is consistent with the application architecture and workflows. This position carries great responsibility for Invitrogen instrumentation ultimate success, although other staff will help share the burden. It is a fulltime position with occasional travel. He or she will reside in the Carlsbad, California. The duties are subject to change and the duration beyond two years would be subject to the status of the project and other factors. Essential Functions: 1. Drive the creation of new concept system solutions that will enable a strong pull through of Invitrogen reagents2. Perform feasibility studies to evaluate new concept potential and technology risks3. Provide high-level guidance for instrument program groups, and participate in project planning and design reviews. 4. Support engineers in developing experimental plans and guide them through experiment execution and analysis interpretationNature and Scope: Position exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Performs duties independently with only general direction given. Understands the importance of project toward Company’s objectives. Job encounters recurring work situations with occasional variations from the norm, involving a moderate to high degree of complexity. Works on complex problems where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Accuracy is required in performing all functions of this position. Mistakes in work could cause substantial data errors. Measures of Contribution/Impact: Creation of new products, technologies, processes, systems that lead to revenue-generating endpoints (type and number to be determined based upon specific area of R&D). Contribute to novel intellectual property (IP) through patents and know-how (number of patents to be determined based upon specific area of R&D and/or amount of contribution to be confirmed by colleagues) Exerts a positive influence on colleagues leading to improved program plans, greater efficiency in workflow, and/or enhancement of colleagues’ capabilities (confirmed by colleagues).Technical Excellence: Established technical expertise; serves as a resource to other departments. Possesses and applies a comprehensive knowledge of a particular field of specialization to the completion of complex assignments; advances research in field of specialization.Education: Ph. D in an engineering discipline or biophysics or other related fieldOptics expertise is highly desirable.Experience: Ten years post-degree laboratory experience. Recognized as a company expert within a relevant scientific area. Key Knowledge & skills: 1. Demonstrated ability to work well with the research community, with a particular emphasis on creativity, team building, the broad community’s trust and confidence. 2. Deep technical understanding of life sciences application areas and their workflows; understanding of pain reduction for the scientists and future lab environment trends3. He or she should be a strong contributor to an interdisciplinary team, including close collaboration with the Hardware System Architect. 4. Objectivity, ability to listen carefully, good analytic skills, and excellent communication skills. 5. Imagination, creativity, and ability to envision lab evolution over time. 6. Help translate researcher needs, as formulated and/or implicit in the formal technical requirements. 7. Ability to design lean, flexible, modular system architecture to satisfy lab environment requirements. Expected Invitrogen behaviors: • Expansive Thinker • Innovation-Oriented • Courage • Accountable • Results • Teamwork and Collaboration • Respectful of People • Influential Communicator • Acting with Integrity • Positively Responds to Change Contacts: Contacts are normally made with others inside the company, including immediate associates, other departments and own supervisor. Limited data exchange with external collaborators. Contacts are usually made on own initiative concerning matters requiring explanation, discussion, interpretation or approvals. Working Conditions: Works in a laboratory environment. Is required to lift up to 40 lbs. May be required to stand for long periods of time while performing duties. Must be able to work safely with chemicals and hazardous materials. Must be able to work overtime and flexible shifts. Invitrogen is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse and inclusive workforce.