Senior Development Technician

Title: Senior Development Technician  

Location: Office based at Granta Park, Cambridge UK  

Salary range: £30,000 - £40,000 per annum 

Functional area: R&D 

Reports to: Instrumentation Design Manager 

Sphere Fluidics, a leader in single cell analysis and isolation technologies, seeks an experienced Senior Development Technician to join our growing team. 

About Sphere Fluidics 

Our innovative platforms are built on scientific and engineering expertise spanning over a decade. Originally spun out from the University of Cambridge, we specialize in helping researchers find their most critical cells. Leveraging our picodroplet microfluidic technology, we offer high-throughput solutions for single cell isolation and analysis across various applications, including biologics discovery, cell engineering, and synthetic biology. Work small, think big, with us. 

The Role 

The company is growing quickly, and we are looking to take on an experienced Senior Technician. This role will be mostly laboratory based, involving test rig construction, machining, wiring, electronics, fluidic and optical development parts. The role will also provide support to the wider R&D and Operations department and other areas of the business on an ad-hoc basis. 

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years’ experience with precision instrumentation development. A first task will be assembly and test of pre-production optical modules, so previous experience with optical assemblies is desirable.  While training will be provided, we seek a proactive individual capable of independent operation with a solid background working with electronic, electromechanical, and advanced laboratory instrumentation. 

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, keen to learn and develop new skills, as well as having a keen eye for detail. A structured approach to their work is important, as is excellent adherence to procedures, high quality standards and Health & Safety. Our culture is team orientated and we aspire to achieve operational excellence and the very highest standards of quality in everything we do.  

The role of the Senior Development Technician is varied and as part of a rapidly growing company there is scope for learning and progression within the business. 

Responsibilities 

• Assemble and test Cyto-Mine® optical modules. 
• Build rigs and prototypes, working with design engineers. 
• Procure materials and parts required for developments. 
• Make up cables, solder one-off PCBs. 
• Make parts in-house, with hand tools or optionally on manual mill and lathe. 
• Run trials on test rigs and prototypes. 
• Contribute to build and test documentation. 
• Maintain a clean, organized, and efficient working environment. 
• Ensure compliance with appropriate safety procedures in collaboration with the H&S department. 
• Provide ad-hoc support to the wider R&D department as required. 

Qualifications and Experience Essential   

• Minimum ‘A’ level education within an engineering discipline. 
• Competence in most or all of the following skills: machining, cable assembly, soldering, clean assembly for optics and microfluidics, use of metrology and test equipment. 
• Experience in an electromechanical assembly, test or repair environment. 
• Organised, resourceful and able to work on own initiative. 
• Adaptable in response to short-term priorities. 
• A good team-worker used to working in a project-focussed environment.  
• Good written and verbal communication skills. 
• Right to work and able to start ASAP. 

Qualifications and Experience Advantageous 

• Experience in prototyping and developing complex instrumentation. 
• Experience covering development, servicing and repair of a range of equipment. 
• Skilled machinist, manual mill and lathe. 
• Experience with aspects of precision assemblies: Electromechanical, thermal, optical, fluidic, electronic 

The Benefits  

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays  
• Employee Share Options (EMI Scheme)  
• Company pension scheme with Aviva (employer contributes 8%)  
• 4x Life Insurance & Critical Illness Cover  
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality  
• Health Cash Plan  
• Group Income Protection  
• Employee Assistance Program  
• Cycle to Work scheme  
• Learning & Development opportunities for career growth  
• Long Service Bonus – up to 5 extra days holiday  
• Recruitment referral scheme (£1,000)  
• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance  

What’s Next? We will review your application and whilst we would love to get back to every applicant, it is not always possible. If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please note that your application has not been successful on this occasion.  

Sphere Fluidics strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce and follow the guidelines of the Equality Act.