Senior Staff Electrical Engineer

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking a Senior Staff Electrical Engineer who will play a critical technical leadership role in the architecture, design, and delivery of complex electromechanical systems for our high-performance instrument platforms. This role requires deep hands-on expertise in mixed-signal, power, and system-level hardware design, with a strong focus on robustness, reliability, and regulatory compliance. This position is based out of our San Diego headquarters and will report to our Senior Director.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead system-level electrical architecture and hands-on hardware design across digital, analog, and power domains
• Design and review schematics, guide PCB layout, and oversee component selection for customized PCBAs
• Architect and validate system power distribution, DC/DC regulation, sequencing, protection, and noise mitigation strategies
• Diagnose and resolve complex system-level electrical issues including EMI/EMC, signal integrity, ground loops, and power integrity
• Design and support precision motion control systems including motor drives, sensors, encoders, and closed-loop control systems
• Lead electrical bring-up, debugging, validation, and failure analysis using advanced lab instrumentation
• Design and debug hardware communication interfaces including RS-232/485, CAN, USB, I2C, SPI, and Ethernet
• Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, optical, fluidics, and firmware teams to ensure seamless integration
• Partner with firmware engineers during bring-up and troubleshooting; review low-level firmware as needed
• Own electrical safety, EMI/EMC, and regulatory compliance efforts including IEC 60601, FCC, and CE
• Provide technical mentorship and leadership through design reviews and best-practice development

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• 10+ years of hands-on industry experience delivering complex electronic systems
• Deep expertise in analog, digital, and power circuit design and system-level integration
• Strong experience with power electronics including high-current distribution, DC/DC design, PDN analysis, and transient response optimization
• Practical experience with EMI/EMC mitigation, pre-compliance testing, and regulatory certification
• Proven ability to lead hardware bring-up, validation, and system-level troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of PCB layout principles for signal integrity, power integrity, and noise-sensitive designs
• Good understanding of embedded firmware development and test; knowledge about FPGA development and high-speed data transfer is a plus
• Experience reviewing and understanding firmware for hardware debug and validation activities
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across cross-functional engineering teams

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

Location:

• San Diego – on-site

Travel: 

• Up to 5%

Job Type:

• Full-time, Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range:

• $158,000 - $197,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off. 

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience. 

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.