Biohub
Optical Engineer, Advanced Light Sheet Microscopy
San Francisco, CA (Hybrid)
Sponsorship not specified$153k-$191kDetected 49 days ago
PythonRustC++LinuxData VisualizationSolidWorksPCB DesignEmbedded SystemsRoboticsMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringControlsMicroscopy
About the role
- An overarching goal of the Biohub is to elucidate the complex collective dynamics of self-organizing cellular systems across scales in health and disease.
- Lightsheet microscopes are powerful imaging instruments capable of resolving individual cells in 5D (=D+color+time) within entire living specimens.
Responsibilities
- Design, prototype, implement, and optimise custom subsystems for light-sheet microscopes and other advanced imaging platforms. Integrate mechanical, thermal, fluidic, optical, and electronic components into cohesive, reliable experimental systems.
- Develop modular hardware control software in Python (and occasionally C/C++), interfacing with cameras, stages, lasers, sensors, and other instrumentation components.
- Design and implement automated or "smart" imaging protocols incorporating feedback loops (e.g., sensor-driven control, adaptive imaging strategies, and real-time decision-making).
- Collaborate with scientists, bioengineers, computer scientists, and biologists to implement new features and capabilities, including hardware interfaces, acquisition modes, graphical user interfaces, smart automation, high-performance data visualization, and scalable data storage pipelines.
- Document system architectures, mechanical designs, schematics, and assembly procedures to ensure reproducibility, maintainability, and scalability.
- Solid working knowledge of electronics and embedded systems, including microcontrollers, DACs/ADCs, and basic PCB design (at least 4 years).
- Proven experience developing hardware control scripts and integrating third-party devices.
- Provides a generous employer match on employee 401(k) contributions to support planning for the future.
- Relocation support for employees who need assistance moving
Requirements
- Master of Science, or PhD degree in Optics, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field.
- Experience with CAD design (e.g., SolidWorks, OnShape, or similar) and rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing, machining, laser cutting (at least 3 years)
- Experience with C/C++/Rust desired (at least 5 years).
- Strong programming experience in Python
- A successful candidate will combine practical advanced optical design and system-building experience with the ability to develop and maintain robust control software for advanced light-sheet microscopes.
Nice to have
- Knowledge and experience in light-sheet microscopy or other similar precision optical instruments are highly desirable.
- Experience or interest in integrating Adaptive Optics (AO) components (e.g., deformable mirrors)
- Experience with feedback control systems, sensors, and real-time automation.
- Experience designing or integrating thermal control, microfluidic, perfusion, or environmental control systems.
- Experience and deep understanding of low-level coding in C and C++.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing concepts (multi-threading, GPU acceleration, parallel processing) for image processing or data-intensive applications.
- Familiarity with Linux-based systems and device driver configuration.
- Familiarity with optical metrology, such as PSF characterization.
Compensation
- The San Francisco, CA base pay range for a new hire in this role is $153,000.00 - $191,000.00.
- New hires are typically hired into the lower portion of the range, enabling employee growth in the range over time.
- Actual placement in range is based on job-related skills and experience, as evaluated throughout the interview process.
- This position may be eligible to participate in our discretionary annual performance bonus program. Bonus eligibility and targets are determined in accordance with our total rewards philosophy and may vary by role.
- Better Together
- As we grow, we're excited to strengthen in-person connections and cultivate a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
Benefits
- Paid time off to volunteer at an organization of your choice.
- Funding for select family-forming benefits.
- Benefits for the Whole You
- To honor their commitment, we offer a wide range of benefits to support the people who make all we do possible.
Company info
- Biohub is a 501(c)(3) biomedical research organization building the first large-scale scientific initiative combining frontier AI with frontier biology to solve disease.
- We build the technology to help scientists around the world use AI-powered biology to study how cells operate, organize, and work as part of systems to understand why disease happens and how to correct it.
- With our compute capacity, AI research and engineering, and state-of-the-art technology for measuring, imaging, and programming biology, we are enabling scientists worldwide to use AI-powered biology to advance our understanding of human health.
- Through our multi-dimensional imaging program, we build imaging tools that capture life across scales - from single proteins to whole organisms - revealing how proteins and cells function, communicate, and assemble into living systems.
- These observations are laying the groundwork for a new generation of AI models that can predict cellular behavior and guide the development of better treatments for widespread diseases.
- You can learn more about our work here.
- Our work brings together three powerhouse universities - Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC San Francisco - into a single collaborative technology and discovery engine.
- Pursue large scientific challenges that cannot be pursued in conventional environments
- Enable individual investigators to pursue their riskiest and most innovative ideas
- Facilitate research by scientists and clinicians at our home institutions and beyond
- We are a team of passionate individuals powered by technology, guided by scientific research, and driven by collaboration, working toward a mission to cure or prevent all disease.
This listing is sourced directly from Biohub's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.