---
title: 'Engineering Technician at Unchained Labs'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-technician-unchained-labs-pleasanton-absj49ne1zyk'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-11'
---

# Engineering Technician at Unchained Labs

- **Company:** Unchained Labs
- **Location:** Pleasanton, CA
- **Compensation:** $70k–$80k
- **Posted:** 2026-11-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs/jobs/8935694002

## Job description

Job Description: Engineering Technician

The Top Line

Here’s the deal. We’re all about helping researchers break free from tools that just don’t cut it. Unleashing problem tackling products that make a huge difference in the real science our customers do every day. And we’re growing! This is your chance to join an awesome, growing and fast-paced group developing unbelievably cool life science products! We thrive on moving fast, taking risks and persevering through failure. We embrace the unknown and we are happy to make mistakes. We are there for each other and we crave diversity because we know that building a truly diverse tribe will make us better at everything.

The Job

Join a cool, fun team as we work together with top-notch scientists, software developers, and hardware engineers to build next-generation science tools. Stand out amongst your peers by leading the testing efforts on one of the product lines from start to finish.  Get a great opportunity to play with small size analytical instruments to large size workflow instruments while verifying and validating next generation software. We dig in and test hard, ensuring rock-solid stability before products reach the lab.  If you love the joy of the hunt, come join the effort to root out anything standing in the way of releasing a first-class product.

## Responsibilities

- Apply engineering principles and independent judgment to develop and evaluate prototypes supporting next-generation products across the organization.
- Develop test methods, experimental plans, and acceptance criteria to evaluate prototype performance and reliability.
- Analyze test results, investigate complex technical failures, and recommend design or process changes based on engineering findings.
- Design and improve prototype fixtures, tooling, and assembly methods to address product development challenges.
- Evaluate engineering lab and prototype shop capabilities; recommend equipment, methods, and process improvements to support development priorities.
- Create engineering documentation, including test protocols, technical reports, design recommendations, and supporting analyses.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to evaluate technical alternatives and resolve product development issues.
- Perform prototype assembly, modifications, and testing in support of assigned engineering investigations.
- Unchained Labs supports a flexible work schedule. This role requires an on-site presence at our Pleasanton office most days to support laboratory and prototype development activities.

## Qualifications

- 1 to 3 years of relevant engineering experience
- Experience using CAD & familiarity with using PDM systems
- Experience with machine shop equipment and tools
- Experience with wiring & soldering
- Experience in integration of electronics with mechanical systems
- Experience working on life science tools is a plus
- Experience with firmware, software, or script writing is a plus
- Excellent documentation, organizational, teamwork, troubleshooting, problem solving, and communication skills
- Be flexible and ready when the going gets tough to help us do whatever needs to get done to meet our customer’s needs

## Compensation

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $70,000 - $80,000. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual base salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices. This role is also eligible for our annual bonus, comprehensive health and retirement benefit programs. US Jobs must have pay transparency on all JD's US pay range $70,000—$80,000 USD

## About Unchained Labs

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Unchained Labs provides tools and AI-driven automation for biologics and gene therapy researchers to characterize, process, and analyze complex molecules.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Acquired by The Carlyle Group in 2021)
- **Headquarters**: Pleasanton, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Tim Harkness (CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Life science tools, biotechnology research
- **Target customers**: Biologics and gene therapy researchers in pharma, biotech, and academia (B2B)
- **Mission statement**: “Be the go-to biologics and gene therapy tools supplier” with a path to “Uncover big scientific problems. Solve them. Period.” [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/)

## Products & Services
Unchained Labs offers a wide range of instruments and software for sample preparation, characterization, and automation. Key offerings include:

- **Stuntman**: AI-driven, fundamentally flexible automation platform that turns plain-language intent into action, plans experiments, guides closed-loop automation, and interprets results. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/)
- **Leprechaun**: Plate-based DSF (Differential Scanning Fluorimetry) and light scattering platform for protein stability.
- **Stunner / Stunner AF**: Single-particle biophysical characterization tool for lentivirus, exosomes, and nanoparticles.
- **Lunatic**: Plate-based UV/Vis tool for biologics and genomics.
- **Honeybun**: Low-volume viscometer for biologics.
- **Aunty**: Stability characterization platform for ADCs and biologics.
- **Big Tuna / Unagi**: Automated buffer exchange and UF/DF systems.
- **Sunbather**: GMP-ready nanoparticle production system.
- **Sunshine / Sunscreen**: Nanoparticle synthesis platforms for formulation screening and process development.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (acquired by The Carlyle Group in 2021 for $435 M) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $60 M (estimated) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Total Funding**: $285 M across multiple rounds, including Series A (Novo Ventures, TPG Biotech), Series B, C, D, and debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: The Carlyle Group (parent), Novo Ventures, TPG Biotech, Silicon Valley Bank
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 166 employees (‑11.1% YoY), operations in 9 countries; recent product launches include Stuntman (AI automation), Sunbather (GMP nanoparticle production), and Stunner AF; acquisitions of AVIA Biosystems, Nanoview Biosciences, Blacktrace Ltd., Rap.ID, and Trinean to expand capabilities [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Broad portfolio** covering characterization, buffer exchange, nanoparticle synthesis, and AI-driven automation – a one-stop shop for biologics and gene therapy workflows.
- **AI-driven automation** with Stuntman reduces manual intervention and accelerates experimental design and execution.
- **Deep focus on gene therapy and LNP** (lipid nanoparticle) applications with dedicated tools like Stunner, Sunbather, and Sunshine.
- **Private equity backing** from Carlyle provides capital for acquisitions and R&D without quarterly earnings pressure.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand AI-driven automation**: Stuntman represents a shift toward autonomous lab workflows, capturing structured data and enabling closed-loop experimentation.
- **Strengthen gene therapy and LNP offerings**: New products like Sunbather and Stunner AF target the growing demand for GMP-compliant nanoparticle production and characterization.
- **Continue M&A integration**: Absorbing acquired companies (e.g., Nanoview, Blacktrace) to fill technology gaps and broaden customer reach.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Unchained Labs describes itself as fast-paced, autonomous, and accountable. “We move fast and expect a lot. … If a fast pace, autonomy, flexibility and real responsibility float your boat, check out our open positions.” [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs)
- **Team philosophy**: “The right group of people can accomplish anything.” Emphasis on “we, not I” and persistence. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/)
- **Work model**: Hybrid/office presence at headquarters in Pleasanton, CA, and field roles across the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and other countries.
- **Engineering culture**: Software engineers work on cutting-edge automation and AI; roles in manufacturing, field service, and sales also available.
- **Recent departures** (e.g., Director of Engineering, HR Director) may indicate organizational change, but the company continues to hire for key positions (Software Engineer, Field Automation Scientist, Sr. Manufacturing Engineer) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs)

## Sources
1. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/) – Product overview, news, and company description
2. [unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/) – Mission, vision, and values
3. [unchainedlabs.com/jobs](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/jobs/) – Culture and open positions
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs) – Current job listings
5. [linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) – Revenue, headcount, funding, acquisitions, and employee data

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