Senior Mechanical Engineer

Overview

You will be part of a collaborative team shaping the future of scientific instrumentation for applications across biopharma, biosciences, and advanced analytical workflows. With access to world-class scientists, research facilities, and multidisciplinary collaborators, you will help create enabling technologies that support new separations, sample handling approaches, microfluidic architectures, and bioscience workflows. This is a unique opportunity to influence foundational technology development and translate promising concepts into high-value instrumentation platforms.

 

Join our forward-thinking Instrumentation Research Group as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. You'll lead the development of innovative analytical systems and next-generation scientific instrumentation. We are committed to building a diverse team and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

 

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design efforts for research-stage liquid chromatography, microfluidic, and bioscience instrumentation from concept through prototype demonstration. • Design and develop mechanical, fluidic, and electro-mechanical subsystems, including flow paths, microfluidic interfaces, sample handling components, precision assemblies, and thermal management features. • Drive the development of high-fidelity prototypes for early-stage concepts, learning loops, and subsystem feasibility studies. • Perform mechanical, fluidic, and thermal analysis using engineering fundamentals and simulation tools such as FEA to guide design decisions. • Collaborate closely with scientists, chemists, biologists, electrical engineers, software engineers, and systems engineers to translate research needs into robust hardware solutions. • Support the design of systems and components requiring careful consideration of dead volume, pressure tolerance, chemical compatibility, manufacturability, serviceability, and reliability. • Assemble, test, troubleshoot, and refine prototypes in the lab, using experimental data to improve performance and inform future design rules. • Contribute to ideation, concept generation, and technical scouting for emerging technologies in fluidics, separations, consumables, and bioscience workflows. • Incorporate Voice of the Customer (VoC) and user workflow understanding into design decisions where appropriate. • Document technical work through engineering reports, functional specifications, design records, and intellectual property disclosures. • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and innovation-driven team environment.

 

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field, or M.S. with 3+ years, or B.S. with 5+ years in research, advanced development, or instrumentation-focused engineering environments. Advanced degree preferred.• Strong interdisciplinary engineering background with experience working on complex systems in research or advanced development environments. • Demonstrated success in the design and development of precision mechanical and/or fluidic systems. • Hands-on experience with prototype development, testing, troubleshooting, and iterative design refinement. • Proficiency in 3D CAD, preferably SolidWorks; familiarity with NX is a plus. • Experience with engineering analysis tools, including FEA and/or CFD. • Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision mechanical design practices. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical disciplines.

 

Key Experience

• Experience in liquid chromatography, microfluidics, life science instrumentation, consumables, sample preparation, or bioscience-related hardware development. • Experience designing components or subsystems involving fluid handling, valves, fittings, seals, manifolds, chip interfaces, cartridges, or low-volume flow paths. • Familiarity with bio-compatible materials, chemically resistant materials, and design constraints associated with biological or analytical samples. • Background in instrument miniaturization, precision assemblies, additive manufacturing, or advanced materials. • Experience working alongside scientists in bioscience, analytical chemistry, or advanced technology development settings. • Exposure to coding or data-analysis tools such as C++, Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW is a plus. • Familiarity with technical publications, patent generation, and structured documentation.

Desired Skills

• Strong technical curiosity and creativity in solving multidisciplinary engineering challenges. • Ability to balance innovation with practical design considerations such as robustness, usability, and manufacturability. • Independent work ethic with a proactive, hands-on approach to prototype development and problem solving. • Strong collaboration and mentorship skills. • Clear decision-making and analytical thinking in ambiguous research environments.

• Advanced analytical and decision-making abilities.

 

We know that sometimes the perfect candidate does not exist, and that people can be put off applying for a job if they do not fit all the requirements. If you are excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we are looking for, please go ahead and apply. You could be just what we need! We believe strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where our colleagues can succeed. As such, Waters is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment.