Senior Lab Instrument Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Retro develops therapies for diseases driven by the biology of aging. We focus on cellular reprogramming and autophagy to rejuvenate cell and tissue function with the ultimate aim of adding 10 years to healthy human lifespan.

We’re building a mission-driven team of accomplished and kind individuals who embrace our startup culture of rapid iteration, transparency, and versatility.

We are hiring a new member of the SciOps team whose primary focus will be supporting our growing laboratory instrumentation core. You will be a part of the Science Operations team - a close-knit group of dedicated, resourceful humans, handling all things labs, facilities, and logistics.

About you :

You’re a collaborative, hands-on generalist who takes pride in learning across a wide variety of laboratory instruments and systems and eagerly steps in wherever help is needed. Detail-oriented and organized, you balance following established procedures with the resourcefulness and persistence to solve unexpected problems. You communicate clearly, own tasks from start to finish, and adapt quickly to shifting priorities - whether that means staying late to finish a calibration or proactively flagging a potential issue before it becomes critical.

What you'll do in this role :

• Install + qualify new laboratory instruments and auxiliary equipment, from biosafety cabinets and incubators to mass spectrometers and flow cytometers.
• Diagnose, repair + maintain a broad range of lab instruments (cell analyzers, cell sorters, microscopes, HPLC / UPLC systems, refrigeration units, etc.).
• Produce and maintain detailed records, including maintenance logs, calibration reports, quality checks, and SOPs.
• Train lab personnel on proper instrument use and best practices; update workflows and SOPs as systems evolve.
• Support equipment lifecycle - from procurement and installation through decommissioning and disposition
• Identify when external experts are needed and coordinate with approved vendors, keeping in mind our preference for vertical integration whenever possible.
• Serve as a key on-call responder for facility emergencies and urgent issues (such as power failures, significant leaks, cold storage alarms, etc.) - a rotating team responsibility which includes some nights, weekends, and holidays.

You might thrive in this role if :

Bonus if you have experience with :

Total compensation also includes generous equity and benefits.

Benefits and perks :

We take pride in cultivating an environment that fosters collaboration, open communication, and authenticity. We believe that great results are best delivered by a highly creative team working in concert. We are an equal opportunity employer; we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are diverse in background and singular in mission.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.