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 Equipment Engineer 2 is responsible for the sustainment, troubleshooting, reliability, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment used in Flow Cell Manufacturing. Working closely with Manufacturing Operations, Engineering, and key partners (e.g., Quality, Validation, Facilities, R&D), this role supports assigned equipment systems and subsystems while contributing to initiatives that enhance safety, quality, yield, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency. This is a highly hands-on engineering role that balances manufacturing floor support with equipment analysis, technical documentation, and continuous improvement activities. Significant time is spent troubleshooting equipment, supporting production operations, investigating failures, and implementing equipment improvements. Working with appropriate technical oversight, the Equipment Engineer 2 plans and executes activities within assigned areas of responsibility, including ownership of equipment subsystems or components of larger manufacturing systems. The role also develops technical documentation, performs equipment performance analysis, supports training and knowledge-sharing activities, and contributes to continuous improvement efforts. Technical findings, project updates, and recommendations are communicated through reports and presentations.
Responsibilities:
Support manufacturing operations through equipment troubleshooting, sustainment, technical problem solving, and engineering improvements while owning assigned equipment subsystems or components of larger manufacturing systems with appropriate oversight. Develop and continuously improve preventive maintenance, calibration, repair, and equipment reliability programs, including procedures, work instructions, technical documentation, and training materials. Independently troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, controls, automation, robotics, and process-related issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis methods, recognizing when to engage senior engineers, management, or subject matter experts for particularly complex challenges. Support and troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment, including industrial controls, robotics, machine vision, motion control, and related automation technologies. Use electrical schematics and diagnostic tools to troubleshoot electrical control systems, instrumentation, automation systems, and equipment failures. Collect, analyze, and interpret equipment performance data, maintenance records, and MMS information to identify failure trends, evaluate equipment health, and improve reliability, availability, and uptime. Support investigations by providing equipment-specific analysis, contributing to root cause determination, and implementing corrective actions within assigned equipment areas. Support equipment installation, integration, qualification, and readiness activities. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support reliability initiatives and component, spare-parts, or vendor selections within assigned areas.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline with 2+ years of relevant experience.
Technical Skills:
Strong mechanical and electrical/electronics troubleshooting skills demonstrated through experience supporting automated equipment and manufacturing systems. Working knowledge of automated manufacturing systems, including PLCs, industrial controls, robotics, machine vision, motion control, servo systems, instrumentation, sensors, industrial communications, vacuum systems, chillers, pneumatic systems, and HMI/SCADA platforms. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, PLC logic, and technical documentation. Experience using common measurement, inspection, and troubleshooting tools, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, gauges, and similar diagnostic equipment. Experience analyzing equipment or process data to support troubleshooting, SPC, trend analysis, and reliability improvements; familiarity with SQL, Python, Power BI, JMP, Minitab, or similar analytical tools is preferred. Understanding of safe work practices when working with mechanical, electrical, laboratory, manufacturing, automation, laser, or chemical systems. Professional Skills: Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to independently diagnose and resolve equipment-related issues within assigned areas of responsibility. Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical observations, findings, and project updates to manufacturing and engineering teams. Ability to plan and prioritize assigned activities with minimal guidance while balancing manufacturing support, equipment sustainment, reliability improvements, documentation, and project commitments. Ability to provide technical recommendations based on equipment performance, analysis, and operational data. Comfortable balancing hands-on equipment support with analysis, documentation, and continuous improvement activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Flexibility to support manufacturing schedules outside the traditional Monday-Friday workweek, including fixed five-day schedules (e.g., Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday).Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment within semiconductor, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, GMP-regulated manufacturing, or other highly automated production environments. Experience with industrial automation and equipment-support technologies, including PLCs, robotics, machine vision, motion control, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial communication protocols (e.g., EtherCAT or EtherNet/IP), vacuum systems, chillers, pneumatic systems, and MMS/CMMS. Familiarity with Beckhoff PLCs, Cognex In-Sight vision systems, or similar manufacturing automation technologies is preferred. Experience supporting equipment installation, integration, qualification, reliability initiatives, continuous improvement projects, supplier interactions, and manufacturing support activities. Listed responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of all duties. Responsibilities may change based on business needs and organizational priorities. The estimated base salary range for the Equipment Engineer 2 role based in the United States of America is: $82,500 - $123,700. 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 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. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Summary
Location: US - California - San Diego
Type: Full time
