---
title: 'Staff Optical Systems Engineer at Element Biosciences'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-optical-systems-engineer-element-biosciences-san-diego-qnmr3jf99rge'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Staff Optical Systems Engineer at Element Biosciences

- **Company:** Element Biosciences
- **Location:** San Diego, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-18
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/elementbiosciences/jobs/6139819004

## Job description

At Element Biosciences, we are passionate about our mission to empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity. We have built a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment. We are committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

We are seeking a talented Staff Optical Systems Engineer to join our team to drive optical systems development of our multiomic discovery platforms, from concept to commercialization. This is a great opportunity for candidates with a strong background in optics, expertise in imaging systems and passion for technology development. Strong engineering fundamentals, rigorous critical thinking, and a methodical approach to troubleshooting and data analysis are essential skills. This role will report to our Senior Director, Systems & Optical Engineering and will be an on-site San Diego based role.

If you possess the following and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to explore this role.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

- Drive requirements gathering, design, review, and verification of optical components and systems
- Contribute to the development of optical modules, schematics, simulations, analysis and technical specifications
- Build and integrate complex optical systems that include imaging, illumination, and autofocus systems
- Develop and implement testing methodologies and breadboards to characterize optical component and system performance
- Perform troubleshooting and root cause analysis
- Evaluate design trade-offs for performance, cost, and manufacturability and ensure successful production transfer (NPI activities)
- Undertake vendor identification, evaluation, selection, and collaborative project management activities
- Conduct theoretical and experimental research into new imaging technologies and approaches that support innovation in our product roadmap
- Collaborate across hardware, firmware, software, supply chain, manufacturing and field service functions
- Stay up to date with the latest advancements in the field of optics, photonics and imaging

Education and Experience:

- Minimum bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field with 7+ years of relevant industry experience (or equivalent combination of advanced education and industry experience)
- Experience commercializing world-class scientific imaging devices, preferably involving fluorescent microscopy
- Extensive knowledge of optical design principles, practices and tools such as geometrical optics, physical optics, and optical materials.
- Expertise in optical component selection such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, mounts, sensors and light sources
- Proficient in using optical design software such as Zemax or Code V to analyze optical systems
- Proficient with programming tools/languages for image and data analysis
- Track record of hands-on optical and optomechanical system integration and alignment
- Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills
- Ability to work in a fast paced, interdisciplinary environment and quickly adjust to rapidly evolving technology and priorities
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly explaining technical issues and ideas to peers and management

Physical Requirements:

- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds

Location:

- San Diego – on-site

Travel:

- Up to 5%, if any

Job Type:

- Full-time, Exempt

Base Compensation Pay Range:

- $133,000 - $173,000

In addition to base compensation noted above, you will be eligible for stock options, discretionary annual bonus, no cost health insurance plans, 401k with company match, and flexible paid time off.

Please note: Base compensation will depend on multiple factors, including geographic location, qualifications, and experience.

We foster an environment such that all people are afforded the freedom to pursue their passions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

## About Element Biosciences

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Element Biosciences develops affordable, high-quality DNA sequencing and multiomics platforms to democratize access to advanced biological analysis.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series E)
- **Headquarters**: San Diego, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2017
- **Founders**: Three scientists (names not publicly listed in detail, but described as industry veterans)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Genomics, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Multiomics
- Target customers: Research laboratories (academic, government, and biopharma), clinical researchers, and diagnostic developers (B2B, primarily research and clinical segments)
- Mission or purpose statement: “To empower the scientific community with more freedom and flexibility to accelerate our collective impact on humanity, and open the world of biology to new possibilities.” [elementbiosciences.com/about](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/about)

## Products & Services
- **[AVITI™ System]**: A benchtop DNA sequencing system that delivers high-quality, affordable sequencing (the company announced a $200 genome). Uses proprietary Avidity™ chemistry.
- **[AVITI24™]**: A 5D multiomics system launched in April 2024 that provides subcellular spatial co-detection of RNA, protein, and morphology on a single integrated platform, with no library prep required. Powered by ABC Sequencing.
- **[VITARI™]**: A new platform/product line announced for scaling without the premium price (details emerging).
- **Reagent & Consumables**: Proprietary reagents with a price guarantee for the lifetime of the AVITI system.
- **Loop Genomics Acquisition**: Integrated long-read sequencing capabilities via the 2022 acquisition of Loop Genomics.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company). Total known funding exceeds $553M across multiple rounds.
- **Key Metric (Total Funding)**: $277M in Series D (led by Wellington Management), $276M in Series C, plus Series A & B from Foresite Capital and Venrock. An upsized Series E was announced in 2026 to accelerate global growth. [elementbiosciences.com/about](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/about)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Wellington Management, Foresite Capital, Venrock. Global distribution partners signed in 2023. Nearly 30 unique patents.
- **Growth Signals**:
    - Customer base spanning 40+ countries.
    - Technology used in 400+ publications.
    - Achieved ISO 13485 certification (June 2026), establishing a quality foundation for diagnostic applications.
    - Opened new headquarters at the Alexandria Tech Center in San Diego.
    - Upsized Series E financing in 2026 to expand genomic, multiomic, and clinical research solutions.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Cost Disruption**: The company’s core differentiator is making high-quality sequencing affordable (e.g., the $200 genome) and accessible to labs of all sizes, challenging incumbents like Illumina.
- **Integrated Multiomics**: The AVITI24 platform is a first-of-its-kind 5D system that combines sequencing with spatial protein and RNA detection in a single workflow, eliminating the need for library prep.
- **Reagent Price Guarantee**: A lifetime reagent price guarantee on the AVITI system provides cost predictability for customers.
- **Founding Team & IP**: Founded by industry veterans with deep domain expertise, supported by a strong patent portfolio (30 patents).

## Strategic Focus
- **Global Commercial Expansion**: Scaling sales and support infrastructure across 40+ countries, with specific focus on APJ and EMEA regions (as seen in job postings for Field Applications Scientists and Territory Managers in those regions).
- **Clinical & Diagnostic Entry**: Leveraging ISO 13485 certification to move into regulated diagnostic applications.
- **Ecosystem Expansion**: Building out the AVITI24 multiomics platform and the VITARI scaling platform to capture a broader share of the multiomics and clinical research markets.
- **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring across R&D, Commercial, Operations, and Quality functions to support rapid growth.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: The company emphasizes five core values: “We Disrupt the Norm,” “We Lead with Respect,” “We Overcome Challenges with Grit,” “We Own Our Success and Failures,” and “We Embrace Authenticity.” They describe a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration.
- **Compensation & Benefits**:
    - 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage.
    - Premier mental health care (Spring Health partnership).
    - $10,000 fertility benefit.
    - Paid parental leave.
    - 401(k) match and stock options.
    - Paid flexible time off (FTO) for both exempt and non-exempt employees.
    - Free access to local Alexandria EXOS gyms.
    - Pet insurance and identity theft protection.
- **Work Model**: Roles range from onsite (San Diego HQ) to fully remote (APJ, Canada, France). The company has a paid, 10-week onsite summer internship program with a 4.86/5 intern satisfaction rating.
- **Growth Opportunity**: Joining a fast-growing, well-funded private company at a pivotal moment of commercial scaling and product expansion, with a mission-driven focus on accelerating science.

## Sources
1. [elementbiosciences.com](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/)
2. [elementbiosciences.com/about](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/about)
3. [elementbiosciences.com/careers](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/careers)
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/elementbiosciences](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/elementbiosciences)
5. [elementbiosciences.com/careers/openings](https://www.elementbiosciences.com/careers/openings)

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