Head of Engineering
Chicago, ILFull-time$150k–$200kPosted Jun 9, 2026
Head of Engineering
Compensation: $125K– $200K salary, up to 1.0% equity stock options
Full benefits, including health coverage, PTO & parental leave
About BiomeSense
BiomeSense is a life sciences startup applying gut microbiome technologies (GutLab, MetaBiome) to advance personalized medicine. We partner with UCSF, UCSD, NIH & the University of Chicago & are backed by LabCorp Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, Seerave Foundation & Emil Capital Partners.
Role Summary
Own the full hardware (HW) lifecycle for GutLab, from architecture & subsystem integration through manufacturing, validation & deployment for a complex electromechanical device & BOM. Act as final technical authority for GutLab system performance, fleet stability & next generation GutLabs (Gen3) production, combining hands-on engineering depth with strategic judgment to ensure current systems perform reliably in the field & Gen3 scales into manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
Qualifications
Compensation: $125K– $200K salary, up to 1.0% equity stock options
Full benefits, including health coverage, PTO & parental leave
About BiomeSense
BiomeSense is a life sciences startup applying gut microbiome technologies (GutLab, MetaBiome) to advance personalized medicine. We partner with UCSF, UCSD, NIH & the University of Chicago & are backed by LabCorp Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, Seerave Foundation & Emil Capital Partners.
Role Summary
Own the full hardware (HW) lifecycle for GutLab, from architecture & subsystem integration through manufacturing, validation & deployment for a complex electromechanical device & BOM. Act as final technical authority for GutLab system performance, fleet stability & next generation GutLabs (Gen3) production, combining hands-on engineering depth with strategic judgment to ensure current systems perform reliably in the field & Gen3 scales into manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities:
- System Ownership & Development: Own GutLab architecture (electromechanical & fluidic); lead design, testing & refinement via CAD, prototyping & manufacturing
- Validation & Deployment Readiness: Own validation, stage gates, documentation & traceability across revisions, firmware & field performance. Lead troubleshooting, diagnostics & closed-loop fixes to eliminate systemic failure modes
- End-to-End Execution: Set & execute high standards for all aspects of HW development: procurement, transfer, sustaining engineering & operations
- Manufacturing Scale-Up: Drive DFM, design freeze, pilot builds, supplier alignment, cost targets & manufacturing strategy + execution for Gen3
- Team Leadership: Mentor & lead a HW team; align resources, timelines & execution to production milestones
- Strategic Problem Solving: Address any and all procurement challenges while identifying cost-effective solutions
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other leaders to align hardware development with broader company strategy & goals
Qualifications
- 8+ years’ experience in hardware engineering for complex electromechanical systems
- Deep proficiency in CAD, tolerances, prototyping & manufacturing
- Product lifecycle ownership (concept through transfer & scale-up)
- Proven ability to build & manage technical teams
- Systems-level troubleshooting expertise across mechanical, fluidic & electronic
- Structured, decisive & execution-oriented with high accountability
- A strategic thinker who thrives under pressure in fast-paced environments