R&D Engineer/Scientist

About the company

Slingshot Biosciences is a rapidly expanding life sciences company building a platform aimed at making precision-engineered cell mimics the benchmark for cell-based assay controls. The company’s offerings include TruCytes™ Biomarker controls, SpectraComp® compensation controls, ViaComp® cell health controls, and FlowCytes® instrument controls.

Its TruCytes cell mimics are designed to closely match the optical and biochemical behavior of real cells while avoiding the sourcing, consistency, and cost limitations that often come with traditional controls. These products are used across cell therapy, drug discovery, diagnostics, process and analytical development, quality control, potency testing, multi-site validation, clinical research, and assay development and validation.

The team values creative thinking, ownership, and fast execution. Employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, improve processes, and work collaboratively across disciplines.

Role overview

Slingshot Biosciences is looking for an R&D Engineer/Scientist to support a next-generation high-throughput polymer manufacturing platform during a focused 3-month contract. This role sits at the intersection of hardware engineering, fluidics, chemistry, and materials science.

You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to turn experimental observations into practical improvements, run bench-level experiments, troubleshoot complex lab systems, and interpret data into clear technical recommendations. The position is well suited to someone who is self-driven, analytical, and comfortable working hands-on in a fast-moving R&D environment.

This opportunity offers substantial ownership, a steep learning curve, and the chance to influence a novel platform that may have long-term impact beyond the initial engagement.

Location and engagement

This is an on-site role in Emeryville, California.

Contract duration: 3 months.

Responsibilities

• Plan and perform wet-lab experiments to study system behavior, fluid movement, and output characteristics.
• Run hands-on tests to improve, validate, and refine the polymer manufacturing setup.
• Install, operate, and troubleshoot lab hardware, fluidic parts, and analytical instruments.
• Work directly with pumps, sensors, and related components to identify and solve system issues.
• Evaluate complex scientific datasets and convert findings into practical next steps.
• Use statistical methods to interpret experiment results and guide optimization decisions.
• Keep detailed lab notes and documentation aligned with standard operating procedures.
• Follow laboratory safety requirements and best practices consistently.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• At least 1 year of practical research experience, including independent bench experiments.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, polymer chemistry, and materials science.
• Comfort designing and working with scientific hardware, pumps, sensors, and fluidic systems.
• Ability to analyze scientific data and apply statistical evaluation methods.
• Prior exposure to emulsions, colloidal stability, surfactants, hydrogels, microfluidics, or precision fluidic systems is preferred.
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE) is an advantage, though not mandatory.
• Must be available immediately for a full-time, 3-month, on-site contract in Emeryville.
• Legal authorization to work is required, and employment eligibility will be verified under applicable laws.

Additional information

Compensation is based on role level, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, education, and certifications. Internal equity, current market conditions, and title leveling may also affect the final placement within the range. After joining, base pay may be influenced by performance, contributions, results, and business needs.

The annual base salary range for this position is $86,000 to $125,000.

Slingshot Biosciences is committed to advancing healthcare access worldwide through innovation in cell biology.

The company values diversity and believes different backgrounds and experiences lead to stronger ideas and a better understanding of customers. Passion is central to the culture, and team members are encouraged to bring their interests and initiative into their work.

Equal opportunity is provided to all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

For U.S.-based roles, employment eligibility verification must be completed as required by law. For international roles, employment may be arranged through an Employer of Record in line with local regulations.

No application links, applicant counts, or source-site references are included here.