Instrument Mechanical Engineer

Position: Instrument Mechanical Engineer Location: Palo Alto Reports to: VP of Engineering FLSA Status: Exempt/Salary Overture has raised $80M to date, including a recent $20M round, from investors including Khosla Ventures, GV and Overwater Ventures. Overture Life is looking for an Instrument Mechanical Engineer to join our growing team.

Overture Life is founded on the belief that IVF is too expensive, and results are not good enough to meet our vision of reproductive freedom: meaning people should be free to choose if and when to have a family. We are addressing this head on by automating the embryology lab - the heart of every IVF clinic to standardize and improve all processes from egg and embryo freezing and thawing to embryo making and more. Our first product - the DaVitri automates egg freezing so it can be done outside the embryology lab. The device uses microfluidics to carefully manage the process of preparing the egg for freezing. Our other products span a range of technologies from robotics, mass spectrometry, machine vision and machine learning. Our goal is to drive up success rates in IVF by improving every aspect of the embryology lab to allow more people to walk home with a baby after embarking on IVF. Job Summary: As an Instrument Mechanical Engineer, you’ll design the benchtop systems that automate the embryology lab, starting with DaVitri, our microfluidic egg-freezing device, and extending to our robotics and imaging platforms. You’ll own mechanical subsystems from concept through prototype, verification and transfer to manufacturing, working closely with embryologists, electrical and software engineers to build instruments that work reliably in clinics around the world. Your work will directly contribute to improving patient outcomes and advancing the field of assisted reproduction. Key Responsibilities:

• Design and Development:
• Design electromechanical subsystems for benchtop instruments, including motion stages, actuators, fluid handling, thermal control and enclosures.
• Design interfaces between instruments and disposable consumables (cartridges, microfluidic chips), with attention to alignment, sealing and repeatable loading.
• Run tolerance stack-ups, thermal and fluid analyses to make sure performance is repeatable across units.
• Select and integrate off-the-shelf components: motors, pumps, valves, sensors, cameras and optics.
• Prototyping and Testing:
• Build and debug prototype instruments, then support verification testing, reliability testing and field testing at partner clinics.
• Analyze test data and refine designs based on results to improve device performance and user experience.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with electrical engineers, software developers, and clinical experts to integrate mechanical designs with other engineering disciplines.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs and quality assurance teams to ensure compliance with FDA regulations and ISO standards.
• Documentation and Reporting:
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including design reports, test plans, and validation protocols.
• Provide regular updates on project progress and technical challenges to project stakeholders.
• Innovation and Improvement:
• Stay current with advancements in mechanical engineering and medical device technology, particularly in the IVF field.
• Propose and implement innovative solutions to enhance device functionality, reliability, and ease of use.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in mechanical design, with a focus on medical devices or complex systems.
• Skills:
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., Onshape, SolidWorks) and engineering analysis tools.
• Hands-on experience designing electromechanical systems with moving parts (mechanisms, motion control, or fluidics).
• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with prototyping and hands-on testing of mechanical components.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for medical devices (e.g., FDA, ISO 13485).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience developing lab automation, life-science instruments or IVD devices.
• Experience with microfluidics, precision thermal control, or cryogenic systems.
• Experience moving instruments from prototype to low-volume production, working with contract manufacturers.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing techniques and rapid prototyping.
• Knowledge of human factors engineering and usability testing for medical devices.
• Professional certifications related to mechanical engineering or medical device design.

Additional Information:

• Work Environment: On-site in Palo Alto; lab/shop and office
• Travel Requirements: Some flexibility to travel domestically and internationally, up to 6 weeks a year for clinical instrument testing

Benefits: Industry competitive pay

• Stock options in a fast growing, well-funded technology company
• Health insurance package options including PPO, vision, and dental for you and your dependents
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off