Strategic Sourcing Engineer at Element Biosciences

San Diego, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, Medical DevicesIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, technical operations, or a related technical discipline
5–10 years of experience in life sciences with a focus in technical sourcing, process engineering, supplier quality, or procurement engineering
Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain principles and best practices
Deep knowledge of product development lifecycles, Bill of Materials (BOM) structures, and supplier qualification processes
Demonstrated expertise in contract negotiation and supplier relationship management
Experience working with ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle
Proficient in data analysis and reporting tools, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Experience with software tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, etc
Highly detail-oriented, well-organized, and analytical with strong problem-solving skills
Strong engineering background and analytical sourcing skills
Experience in regulated industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, or medical devices
Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with rapidly shifting priorities over a large diversity of projects, delivering with focus while maintaining flexibility

Responsibilities

Source complex engineering components and assemblies—including mechanical, fluidic, and optical systems—for next-generation sequencing platforms
Collaborate with R&D and Operations to drive supplier selection for direct and indirect materials, contract manufacturing, and services, during both New Production Introduction (NPI) and post-launch phases
Develop and implement sourcing strategies aligned with the technology roadmap, emphasizing cost efficiency, manufacturability, quality, optimized lead times, and risk mitigations
Understanding of technical drawings and specifications, such as CAD models and blueprints
Negotiate contracts to secure competitive pricing, favorable terms, and strategic supplier partnerships
Partner with Quality to ensure supplier compliance with relevant standards such as ISO 13485
Track and report supplier performance metrics; manage scorecards and implement corrective actions
Strengthen supply chain resilience by qualifying alternate sources
Maintain accurate sourcing documentation
Leverage market intelligence, benchmarking, and cost modeling to manage cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) targets across product lifecycle stages, supply risks, cost drivers, make-vs-buy decisions, and dual sourcing strategies
Conduct semi-annual business reviews with strategic suppliers to evaluate performance and strengthen partnerships
Provide clear, data-driven updates to internal stakeholders through presentations and reports
Lead sourcing efforts for critical materials, components, and services across the product lifecycle—from development through commercialization
Build supplier relationships, manage risks, and ensure supply continuity while driving cost and quality improvements
Work cross-functionally with R&D, Process Engineering, Quality, and Operations to ensure supplier capabilities align with technical and business requirements

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Strategic SourcingSupplier ManagementRisk ManagementCost ImprovementQuality ImprovementMechanical SystemsFluidic SystemsOptical SystemsContract ManufacturingR&D CollaborationProcess EngineeringSupplier Selection

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this role remote or on-site?

This is a daily on-site role at the San Diego headquarters.

What is the salary for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills are required for the Strategic Sourcing Engineer role?

The role requires a strong engineering background, analytical sourcing skills, experience in regulated industries like biotechnology or medical devices, understanding of technical drawings such as CAD models and blueprints, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

What is the company culture like at Element Biosciences?

Element Biosciences has a highly efficient product-driven organization where employees can learn, grow, and thrive in a challenging but encouraging environment, committed to scientific integrity, collegiality, honesty, objectivity, and openness.

What makes a strong candidate for this Strategic Sourcing Engineer position?

A strong candidate has a strong engineering background, analytical sourcing skills, experience in regulated industries, and the ability to deliver with focus while maintaining flexibility in a fast-paced environment.

Element Biosciences

Next-generation sequencing technology provider

About Element Biosciences

Element Biosciences focuses on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, offering the AVITI System, a compact benchtop device that provides high-quality sequencing at a low cost of $1 per million reads. This system is designed for various clients, including academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, and delivers industry-leading accuracy. Element Biosciences stands out by partnering with other biotech firms, like QIAGEN, to provide complete NGS workflows and by offering the 2023 AVITI for All Grant, which gives free sequencing for diverse applications. The company's goal is to make high-quality sequencing accessible and affordable to accelerate advancements in biotechnology.

San Diego, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$659.5MTotal Funding

SERIES_DCompany Stage

Biotechnology, HealthcareIndustries

201-500Employees