--- title: 'Engineer II, Microfluidic Process at Slingshot Biosciences' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/engineer-ii-microfluidic-process-slingshot-biosciences-emeryville-pgr6n46qjntg' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Engineer II, Microfluidic Process at Slingshot Biosciences - **Company:** Slingshot Biosciences - **Location:** Emeryville, CA - **Posted:** 2026-09-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotbiosciences/jobs/5231273007 ## Job description Slingshot Biosciences is a fast-growing life sciences company with a platform technology and paradigm-shifting mission to make precision-engineered cell mimics the gold standard for all cell-based assay controls. We are transforming cell-based applications with the most robust, scalable, and reproducible controls available, including TruCytes™ Biomarker controls, SpectraComp® compensation controls, ViaComp® cell health controls, and FlowCytes® instrument controls. Our TruCytes cell mimics precisely replicate real cells’ optical and biochemical properties - without the sourcing, quality, or cost challenges of traditional controls.  Trusted in cell-based applications across cell therapy, drug development, and diagnostics, they empower process and analytical development, quality control, potency assessments, multi-site validations, clinical research studies, and assay development and validation. Slingshot is seeking motivated, creative team members who think outside the box. We empower employees to own their work, contribute ideas quickly, and improve processes. Come join our cross-disciplinary and world-class team that is delivering game-changing solutions for cell-based applications! We're looking for a highly skilled and operationally-minded Microfluidic Process Engineer II to lead the development, optimization, and scaling of our microfluidic consumables and cell mimic products. This role bridges high-precision microfluidic chip fabrication with scalable commercial manufacturing. You'll own the end-to-end in-house PDMS chip fabrication process while strategically leading the transition of these chips to external contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). You'll also directly oversee the day-to-day production of Slingshot's polymeric base beads. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engineering, this individual plays a vital cross-functional role, carrying significant responsibilities in supporting Slingshot's Manufacturing Department while driving Quality Assurance (QA) improvements and standards across the production lifecycle. Learn more about Slingshot and what we do: [See what Cell Mimics can do](https://slingshotbio.com/cell-mimics/) [About Slingshot Biosciences](https://slingshotbio.com/about-us/) Location: On-site in Emeryville, CA. This role reports to the Senior Director of Engineering. What You'll Do: Microfluidic Consumables & Outsourcing Strategy: - Lead PDMS chip outsourcing: own the strategic technical transfer and transition of Slingshot's PDMS microfluidic chips from in-house microfabrication to high-volume external contract manufacturers; establish raw material specifications, critical dimensions, and incoming quality control (IQC) protocols. - Manage and execute internal PDMS chip production, including silicon wafer photolithography/design, wafer manufacturing, PDMS casting, curing, plasma bonding, surface silanization, and chip QC. - Hands-on development, testing, and optimization of microfluidic prototypes. - Serve as primary user/manager and SME for all PDMS-related equipment. Reagent Production & Scale-Up: - Direct and oversee day-to-day manufacturing of Slingshot's polymeric base beads to guarantee on-time delivery, high quality, and consistent functional properties. - Define critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs) for bead chemistry and microfluidic chip operations to drive continual process improvements that improve yield and minimize process noise. - Identify and validate alternative sources of critical raw materials; develop incoming QC processes to ensure supply chain robustness. - Serve as SME for base bead QC and microfluidic system characterization methods. QA & QMS Support: - Drive strict adherence to Slingshot's Quality Management System (QMS) under relevant frameworks such as ISO 9001, 17034, and 13485. - Lead root-cause analysis (RCA) and technical investigations for non-conformances (NCRs), establish Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), and author Engineering Change Controls (CCs). - Draft, update, and validate SOPs, electronic Master Batch Records (eMBRs), and equipment technical qualification protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) to support quality assurance, technology transfer, and manufacturing scale-up. General Manufacturing & Departmental Support: - Provide cross-functional operational support to general Manufacturing Department operations, consumables assembly, chemical inventory management, and general lab readiness. - Help train and onboard technicians, manufacturing associates, and junior engineering team members on chemical handling, microfluidic techniques, and safety standards. - Act as a chemical safety leader, ensuring full compliance with laboratory health and safety guidelines regarding solvents, plasma bonding systems, and cleanroom protocols. What You'll Bring: - B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, or a related STEM discipline with 8+ years of industry experience; or an M.S. with 6+ years; or a Ph.D. with 3+ years of industry experience in a biotech or medical device environment. - Deep hands-on experience with PDMS microfluidic device fabrication, including silicon wafer photolithography, prepolymer casting, degassing, oven curing, oxygen plasma bonding, and surface chemistry/silanization. - Demonstrated track record of transferring laboratory-scale microfluidics or biotech consumable manufacturing into robust, validated, high-throughput commercial operations or outsourced CMO environments. - Proven experience with chemical synthesis, polymer chemistry, hydrogel formulation, or managing complex, multi-stage reagent fabrication processes. - Working knowledge of ISO 9001, 17034, or 13485 quality standards, with experience executing change control, drafting SOPs, and driving root-cause investigations. - Strong analytical skills; proficiency with statistical analysis software (e.g., JMP, Minitab, Excel, Python) to evaluate process capabilities and perform Design of Experiments (DoE) and other statistical analyses (e.g., ANOVA). - Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills; comfortable collaborating with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (R&D, QA, Manufacturing, Supply Chain). - Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects in a fast-paced, rapidly shifting startup environment. Salary and Benefits: The base salary range for this full-time position is between $130,000 – $150,000 + benefits. Our salary ranges are calculated by role and level. Your position within that range will be determined by your job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, and training/certifications. In addition to those factors, we also examine internal equity as well as consider current market rate, and title may be assessed one level lower or higher accordingly. After you join the company, your performance, contributions, and results along with business and organizational needs will affect your base salary. - Retirement Plan (401k) - Paid Time Off - Family Leave - Life Insurance - Fully stocked break room with food, snacks, and beverages About Slingshot: Our north star is to make healthcare more accessible around the world. We are doing this by advancing cell biology to develop innovative solutions for human health. At Slingshot, we value diversity and believe that a variety of backgrounds and experiences leads to more innovative ideas and a better understanding of our customers. Passion is at the core of our values, and employees are encouraged to pursue their passions in their work and contribute to the company's overall mission. Slingshot Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Legal authorization to work is required for all roles. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with applicable laws in the country where the position is based. For U.S.-based roles, this includes completion of required employment eligibility verification. For international roles, employment may be facilitated through an Employer of Record (EOR) in compliance with local regulations. ## About Slingshot Biosciences ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Slingshot Biosciences designs and manufactures synthetic polymer-based cell mimics that serve as reproducible, scalable controls for flow cytometry, cell therapy, and diagnostic assays. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series A – multiple tranches with $64.2M total funding) - **Headquarters**: Emeryville, California, United States - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Dr. Jeffrey Kim (Founder, Board Director) ## Core Business - Primary industry: Biotechnology Research / Life Sciences Tools - Target customers: B2B – biopharma & CGT companies (IND-enabling, CAR-T potency), CROs, academic & core labs, reference labs, and instrument manufacturers. - Mission: “Accelerate the discovery of innovative diagnostics and treatments that will improve and extend human life.” [slingshotbio.com/about-us](https://www.slingshotbio.com/about-us) ## Products & Services - **TruCytes™ Biomarker Controls**: Customizable polymer cell mimics that replicate optical and biochemical properties of real cells, used for compensation, unmixing, immunophenotyping, and quantitative antigen density measurement. (SaaS-like consumable) - **SpectraComp®**: Compensation controls for spectral flow cytometry. (Consumable) - **ViaComp®**: Cell health / viability controls. (Consumable) - **FlowCytes® (WBC Fixed/Unfixed)**: Instrument standardization and harmonization controls. (Consumable) - **TBNK Mimic™**: Mimic for T, B, NK cell subset gating and instrument performance validation. (Consumable) - **QuantCytes™ CD19**: Quantitative antigen density control. (Consumable) - **Custom Design Service**: Engineering of cell mimics with rare biomarkers (e.g., CD47, CD122, CD14, EGFR, CD65, 200+ options) for specific assay needs. (Service) [slingshotbio.com](https://www.slingshotbio.com/) ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue $13.6M (LinkedIn estimate) | Total funding $64.2M across prior rounds - **Notable Investors/Partners**: ARCH Venture Partners, Northpond Ventures, Anterra Capital, Tao Capital Partners, Myeloma Solutions Fund. Board includes Nicolas Barthelemy (Chair), Andrew Lee, Patrick Weiss, Corey Ritter, Keith Crandell (observer), Ron Silberman, Philip Austin. [slingshotbio.com/about-us](https://www.slingshotbio.com/about-us) - **Growth Signals**: - 49 employees (though -19.7% YoY) - Active headcount in R&D (26% of workforce) and sales (16%) - 5 active job postings, +66.7% MoM and +150% YoY in job posting growth - Global multi-site instrument standardization study published (30+ cytometers across multiple labs) - Expansion into CAR-T potency assays and synthetic antigen-presenting cell mimics (recent patents) - Recent hires: Dr. Nimisha Srivastava (COO), Tiffany Salas-Morris (CCO, departed Mar 2026) [linkedin.com/company/slingshot-biosciences](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-biosciences) ## Competitive Advantages - **Synthetic reproducibility**: Polymer-based mimics eliminate donor variability, cold-chain requirements, and lot-to-lot drift – providing a stable reference across sites, operators, and years. - **Rare biomarker customization**: Can engineer mimics with low-frequency or hard-to-source markers, enabling assays that were previously infeasible with biologic controls. - **Shelf-stable and scalable**: No cold chain, on-demand delivery, high-throughput precision manufacturing. - **IP moat**: Patents covering hydrogel-based engineered particles, apoptosis-resistant mimics, and synthetic antigen-presenting cells for potency assays. [slingshotbio.com](https://www.slingshotbio.com/) | [Google Patents excerpt via LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-biosciences) ## Strategic Focus - Become the “new standard of flow cytometry controls” by replacing biologic controls with synthetic cell mimics. - Expand into cell therapy (CAR-T potency, IND-enabling studies) and diagnostic instrument standardization. - Drive multi-site harmonization for global pharma and CRO networks. - Continue developing custom mimics for rare biomarkers and quantitative antigen density applications. [slingshotbio.com](https://www.slingshotbio.com/) ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven**: Directly contribute to making diagnostics and therapeutics more accessible. - **Innovative technology**: Work at the intersection of synthetic biology, polymer chemistry, and flow cytometry. - **Small but growing team**: Current headcount ~49 with active hiring in sales, engineering, and HR. - **Location**: Emeryville, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) – office-based (no explicit remote/hybrid policy mentioned, but roles likely require on-site lab work; some field sales roles are remote). - **Culture**: Described as “creative problem solvers” with a growth mindset. Diverse background teams. [slingshotbio.com/about-us/careers](https://www.slingshotbio.com/about-us/careers) - **Open positions** (as of recent): Technical Sales Consultant, Lab Automation Hardware Engineer, Associate Director HR, Senior Accountant. [boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotbiosciences](https://boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotbiosciences) ## Sources 1. [slingshotbio.com](https://www.slingshotbio.com/) 2. [slingshotbio.com/about-us](https://www.slingshotbio.com/about-us) 3. [slingshotbio.com/about-us/careers](https://www.slingshotbio.com/about-us/careers) 4. [boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotbiosciences](https://boards.greenhouse.io/slingshotbiosciences) 5. [linkedin.com/company/slingshot-biosciences](https://www.linkedin.com/company/slingshot-biosciences) ## Other roles at Slingshot Biosciences - [Scientist II, Flow Cytometry (Fixed-Term Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-ii-flow-cytometry-fixed-term-contract-slingshot-biosciences-emeryville-y5mpd30a4pmn) — Emeryville, CA - [NetSuite Quality Systems Consultant (Fixed-Term Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/netsuite-quality-systems-consultant-fixed-term-contract-slingshot-biosciences-fyr73ghb7882) — Emeryville, CA