The posting
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.
The Electrical Engineer 2 plays a key role in the development, introduction, and lifecycle support of complex DNA sequencing instruments. This hands-on engineering position spans New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing transfer, sustaining engineering, and product lifecycle management.
The role combines broad electrical engineering fundamentals with technical ownership of smart PCAs, high-performance compute (HPC) platforms, and cable/interconnect systems used in advanced genomic instrumentation. The engineer will drive component and supplier changes, execute qualification activities, investigate product and manufacturing issues, and support continuous improvements in product reliability, performance, manufacturability, and supply continuity.
Success in this role requires strong troubleshooting ability, hands-on laboratory experience, and the ability to collaborate effectively across Product Development, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Field Service, and external partners.
Key Responsibilities
Product Lifecycle, NPI & Sustaining Engineering:
- Support NPI activities from concept through manufacturing transfer, including design reviews, prototype builds, design verification, pilot production, and release readiness.
- Execute sustaining engineering initiatives for released products, including component obsolescence, supplier transitions, cost reductions, quality improvements, and field issue resolution.
- Assess technical impact of proposed product changes and contribute to risk assessments, FMEAs, qualification plans, and implementation activities.
- Develop and maintain engineering documentation including specifications, schematics, BOMs, test plans, engineering change orders, and technical reports.
- Manage assigned projects and deliverables while communicating status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
HPC & Compute Engine Systems
- Support qualification, integration, and lifecycle management of server-class compute platforms that power sequencing instruments.
- Apply knowledge of x86 server architectures, CPU and memory subsystems, PCIe devices, NVMe storage, networking interfaces, power delivery, thermal management, and platform management technologies.
- Troubleshoot hardware issues involving POST and boot behavior, memory training, PCIe enumeration, firmware interactions, storage compatibility, system logs, and intermittent failures.
- Execute hardware validation plans, analyze results, document findings, and partner with software, firmware, systems, and manufacturing teams to resolve complex issues.
- Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to maintain platform reliability, serviceability, performance, and supply continuity.
Cable Harness & Interconnect Design
- Design and modify cable assemblies supporting power, control, sensor, communication, and high-speed data interfaces.
- Develop wiring diagrams, pin assignments, connector selections, grounding strategies, shielding requirements, assembly drawings, and BOMs.
- Perform engineering analyses related to current capacity, voltage drop, derating, signal integrity, routing constraints, shielding effectiveness, and mechanical robustness.
- Support verification testing including continuity, insulation resistance, hipot, EMI/EMC, environmental, and system-level qualification testing.
- Partner with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure designs meet performance, quality, and manufacturability requirements.
Failure Analysis, Quality & Compliance
- Investigate manufacturing defects, supplier issues, RMAs, and field failures using structured root-cause methodologies.
- Support development of test methods, diagnostic tools, fixtures, and acceptance criteria.
- Review supplier and contract manufacturer qualification data to ensure engineering decisions are supported by objective evidence.
- Implement engineering changes through PLM, ERP, and configuration management processes while maintaining traceability and design integrity.
- Support compliance with applicable electrical safety, EMI/EMC, ESD, environmental, and product-quality requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- 2+ years of relevant engineering experience supporting product development, NPI, manufacturing, or sustaining engineering activities.
- Working knowledge of analog and digital electronics, power distribution, PCB/PCA interfaces, grounding methods, and system-level electrical integration.
- Experience designing or supporting cable harnesses, including connector selection, pinout definition, wire sizing, shielding, grounding, documentation, and verification testing.
- Experience troubleshooting hardware issues using oscilloscopes, multimeters, power supplies, logic analyzers, and related laboratory equipment.
- Familiarity with engineering design tools such as Altium, OrCAD, or equivalent platforms.
- Experience working within engineering change control and product lifecycle management processes.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with server-class compute platforms, embedded computing systems, or HPC hardware.
- Knowledge of CPU architectures, DDR4/DDR5 memory, PCIe devices, NVMe storage, networking interfaces, BIOS/UEFI environments, and platform management technologies.
- Experience with design verification testing, EMI/EMC, electrical safety, ESD controls, and regulated design processes.
- Experience working with EMS providers, cable suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
- Experience in biotechnology, life sciences, medical devices, laboratory instrumentation, semiconductor equipment, or other highly regulated industries.
- Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, PowerShell, or other scripting and data-analysis tools.
The estimated base salary range for the Electrical Engineer 2 role based in the United States of America is: $94,600 - $142,000. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role; therefore, most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. 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 [email protected]. 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.
