MES Application Engineer

Description

The company runs manufacturing sites in the US, UK, Germany and Denmark and supplies genomics tools to molecular diagnostics, pharma and biotech, and agrigenomics customers.

This 12-month contract role in Petaluma focuses on building, setting up, rolling out and steadily improving MES applications for the site's manufacturing operations.

You will turn manufacturing and quality needs into dependable operator workflows, electronic records, data capture, equipment links and system integrations.

You will work with manufacturing, quality, engineering, automation, IT and outside partners on new customer workstreams, instrument setups, production troubleshooting, validation and the long-term scalability of the site's digital systems.

The company is in a high-growth phase and plans to keep expanding.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of assigned MES applications, covering requirements, configuration, version control, testing, release, monitoring, support and controlled updates.
• Build, configure, test, deploy and maintain applications for oligonucleotide manufacturing and new customer-specific production workflows.
• Set up integrations between the MES platform and approved databases, cloud services, APIs, enterprise systems, and manufacturing or lab equipment, including file generation, parsing and data exchange where in scope.
• Turn process requirements into practical digital solutions, using sound technical judgment within approved architecture, validation and change-control practices.
• Do hands-on configuration, integration, testing, documentation, production support and continuous improvement across both project and day-to-day work.
• Work with manufacturing, quality, process engineering, automation, IT, program teams, equipment suppliers and platform specialists to design and deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Document requirements, designs, test evidence, change records, troubleshooting outcomes, training material and user guidance so both technical and non-technical readers can follow them.
• Find and make changes that cut manual entry, improve usability and traceability, prevent errors, and raise the efficiency and reliability of workflows.
• Build dashboards and reports, and track application performance, data quality, adoption, support issues and workflow effectiveness against agreed measures.
• Act as the site subject-matter expert for MES application development, operator workflow design, electronic records, data collection and manufacturing-system interfaces.
• Follow applicable quality, safety, cybersecurity, data-integrity, documentation, validation and change-control requirements, including ALCOA+ where relevant.
• Lead technical workstreams, coordinate vendors, and coach application users and subject-matter experts when needed.
• Carry out other duties assigned by management to meet business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, manufacturing systems, biotechnology or a related technical field, or an equivalent mix of education and relevant experience.
• Three or more years in manufacturing systems, MES, industrial automation, application development or a similar technical role.
• Hands-on experience configuring or building applications on the MES platform or a comparable low-code manufacturing platform, turning process needs into workflows that can be maintained.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational data, APIs or web services, structured data exchange and system troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to gather requirements, document solutions, test changes, fix production issues and communicate with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft 365 applications and disciplined technical documentation.
• Desired: Direct experience building and supporting MES applications in a production environment.
• Desired: Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or other regulated manufacturing.
• Desired: Experience with Python, AWS services, databases and integration patterns for calculations, data processing or file-based instrument workflows.
• Desired: Familiarity with validation, change control, GMP or ISO quality systems, cybersecurity and ALCOA+ data-integrity expectations.
• Desired: Experience integrating manufacturing or lab equipment, ERP systems, analytical instruments or automation platforms such as liquid handlers and synthesizers.
• Work in line with the company's core values: Passion, Curiosity, Integrity, Brilliance and Respect.
• Build good working relationships with users, technical teams, quality partners, vendors and stakeholders at many levels.
• Influence decisions through clear evidence, practical recommendations and respectful challenge.
• Work independently, take ownership, and know when to bring in stakeholders, technical escalation or quality review.
• Use structured problem-solving to analyze data, find root causes and build lasting fixes.
• Adjust to changing customer, process and technology needs while juggling several priorities.
• Deliver on commitments, balancing speed, quality, maintainability, compliance and business value.
• Encourage cooperation, knowledge sharing and user ownership so deployments get adopted.
• Keep an internal-customer focus and respond well to production support needs.
• Stay curious and persistent when working through complex process and systems problems.
• Explain complex technical information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Use sound judgment, tact and care when handling confidential or proprietary information.

Conditions

12-month contract role based in Petaluma.

Individual contributor role with no direct reports.

Mostly computer-based work, with regular time on the manufacturing floor for observation, testing, deployment, user support and equipment work.

Salary range is $112,211 to $168,316 for the California-based position. Actual base pay depends on experience, skills and location.

Current US work authorization is required. The company cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship for temporary visas, including H-1B, H-2B, OPT, O-1 and TN.

Candidates are assessed on individual talent, and hiring decisions are made without regard to any protected characteristic.

Benefits

• Competitive pay with a strong bonus program.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
• FSA and HSA pre-tax accounts for health care, childcare and elder care.
• Voluntary accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity plans.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, life insurance and employee assistance program.
• Pet insurance.
• 8 weeks of parental leave for qualifying life events.
• Monthly town hall meetings, onsite or virtual, a Cheer program that recognizes outstanding work, company-wide social events and frequent catered lunches.