DNA Script

DNA Script is a leading company in manufacturing de novo synthetic nucleic acids using enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology. The company aims at accelerating innovation in life science and technology through the decentralization of rapid, on demand and high-quality DNA synthesis. DNA Script's approach leverages nature's billions of years of evolution in synthesizing DNA to set a new standard for customizing nucleic acid synthesis thus accelerating discovery in genetics, genomics, and synthetic biology. Discovery disciplines with profound impacts upon humanity such as biopharma, translational genetics and even molecular information storage all start with synthetic DNA. The company has recently initiated the commercialization of its first EDS powered platform, the SYNTAX system.

To date, DNA Script has raised over $315M of financing, with leading investors such as Coatue Management, Fidelity Management and Research, Catalio Capital Management, Casdin Capital, LSP, Bpifrance Large Ventures, Danaher, Illumina Ventures, Agilent, Merck Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Kurma Partners, T Rowe Price, Baillie Gifford and Eurazeo.

DNA Script also partners on technology and product development with leading organizations such as DARPA, IARPA, Moderna Therapeutics, GE Research, Illumina, the Broad Institute, Harvard University, Institut Pasteur and the French Department of Defense.

DNA Script has its research and manufacturing facilities headquartered in Paris, France, and is in the process of expanding its commercial and development teams in South San Francisco.

Opportunity and Challenges :

We are looking to assemble a team of best-in-class, innovative and passionately eager people. We want to gather their talents and skills to achieve one goal: unlock the power of “DNA-write.” We offer the opportunity of joining a dynamic, international, and highly skilled team in a pioneering startup. Our DNA On Demand platform not only has the potential to change the way the world makes and uses synthetic DNA, but also to accelerate the rate of discovery by delivering upon the promise of same-day results.

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company and to have a large impact on developing a technology that will have far-reaching impacts across biological sciences.

The Role

System Engineer apart of the SSF Product Development (PD) organization.

Main Responsibilities

• Ideate and create system-level architectures for new products, including the development of DNA Synthesis systems and platforms, software solutions, reagent kits, and custom consumables.
• Collaboratively translate inputs received from research, support engineering or commercial teams into verifiable product or subsystem requirements.
• Work cross-functionally to manage trade-off discussions pertaining to design implementations yielding durable decisions and solutions.
• Participate in the creation, development, and maintenance of design specification documentation.
• Author feasibility, verification, validation, and reliability testing protocols. Cross-functionally execute associated test campaigns yielding complete and traceable report documentation.
• Develop and maintain design history file documentation spanning product requirements and design specifications, risk management files, verification & validation plans, protocols & reports.
• Improve system robustness & stability. Conduct root cause analysis investigations and cross-functionally drive resolution.
• Work directly with product/program management to escalate, prioritize and resource issues accordingly
• Conduct periodic risk management reviews. Update hazard analysis, design, process and use FMEAs in compliance with ISO-14971. Identify gaps and use these outputs to improve internal processes and SOPs.
• Work with subsystem design engineers to define requirements and drive alignment between verification testing and product requirements.
• Work with design engineers to identify and develop robust control interfaces to internal components.
• Conduct design for manufacturability, design for service, and failure mode analyses to meet system reliability and manufacturability requirements.
• Contribute to mechanical, electrical, software, reagent, and consumable troubleshooting efforts
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to colleagues outside of product development. Ensure that the internal knowledge base is maintained through development iterations and business scale-up.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• BS in Engineering or relevant discipline with 4+ years of experience in the engineering or development of complex systems.
• MS in Engineering or relevant discipline with 2+ years of experience in the engineering or development of complex systems.
• Experience with IVD/QSR/ISO regulations and required documentation.
• Proven ability to integrate and drive cross-functional initiatives to completion.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Experience with the development and execution of test method validations, installation and qualification of QC equipment systems, and computer systems validation
• Highly effective verbal and written skills, including technical authorship.
• Familiarity with the risk management and usability engineering process
• Experience operating and testing automation-based instrumentation
• Attention to detail and ability to identify/remediate issues found during testing.
• Electromechanical troubleshooting experience – linear actuators, sensors, fluidics, pneumatics, automation, electrical
• Familiarity with JIRA/Confluence organizational tools
• Experience in reliability or life testing. Experience developing fixtures and instrumentation for assembly and testing.

Miscellaneous

• Job located in South San Francisco, California
• Start date: As soon as possible

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision. Company pays 95% of premiums for employees and dependents. We have lots of plans available including HMOs, PPOs, HDHPs, etc.
• Life insurance
• 401(k) with 4% match
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Other employee-funded plans including pre-tax commuter, HSA, and FSA
• EAP
• Mental health support with Sesh
• Competitive parental leave policy

Recruitment Process

• Initial screening with the hiring manager
• Day interview at the office (or remote) with the manager, cofounders, HR and the rest of the team
• Reference Checks
• Timing: 2-3 weeks