Principal Mechanical Engineer
South San Francisco, CA
Engineering - Development – Mechanical Engineering /
Full Time /
On-site
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in technical program management to lead the transfer of a complex, large-scale mechanical system to a contract manufacturer (CM). This critical role will drive all technical aspects of the transfer, ensure the seamless release of engineering documentation, and act as the primary liaison between internal engineering, operations, and external manufacturing partners.
In addition to program management duties, this role includes hands-on mechanical design responsibilities, ensuring design integrity and manufacturability throughout the transfer process. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of experience in mechanical engineering with a proven track record of managing cross-functional technical programs, BOM releases, and CM transfers in a fast-paced product development and manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Own the overall technical execution of the transfer, coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality teams
- Own and contribute to the mechanical design of system components and assemblies, ensuring performance, reliability, and manufacturability
- Review and update CAD models and drawings as needed to support the transfer and production ramp
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve design issues and implement improvements based on feedback from testing and manufacturing
- Prepare, review, and release Bills of Materials (BOMs) and engineering drawings in accordance with company standards
- Drive the creation and processing of Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to support product updates and CM readiness
- Define and implement test methods and inspection criteria at the CM to ensure product quality and reliability
- Establish and track build schedules, milestones, and shipment timelines at the CM
- Provide on-site or remote technical support to CM during prototype, pre-production, and production builds
- Serve as the primary technical liaison between internal teams and external partners (including the CM)
- Interface with internal disciplines (electrical, systems, quality, supply chain, etc.) to ensure product requirements and design intent are preserved
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a combination of technical education and experience
- 15+ years of hands-on experience in Mechanical engineering with significant exposure to product development, manufacturing, and CM transfer
- Proven experience managing the technical aspects of system-level builds and CM onboarding
- Strong experience in CAD, PLM systems, BOM management, and ECO processes
- Hands-on experience developing and implementing test methods
- Ability to operate autonomously in a dynamic, cross-functional environment
- Previous experience working with domestic and international CM’s is highly desirable
$150,000 - $240,000 a year
Cellares total compensation package contains competitive base salaries, highly subsidized Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans, 401(k) Matching, Free EV Charging, Onsite lunches, and Stock options. All displayed pay ranges are approximate, negotiable, and location dependent.
This is Cellares
Cellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The company’s Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares’ Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand.
The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing.
Leveling will be based on overall experience, education, and demonstration of knowledge throughout the interview process.
