Senior Technical Leader, Applied Chemistry, Fluidic Systems, Research & Early Development

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

At Roche, we are working to make next-generation sequencing simple and accessible enough for routine use. By accelerating clinical research, streamlining workflows, and expanding assay menus, we are broadening access to genomic data and lowering barriers to adoption. From robust sample isolation and preparation tools to novel sequencing technology and advanced bioinformatics, we are developing differentiated, highly integrated end-to-end solutions for next-generation sequencing, resulting in a sample in, result out workflow.

Our Systems Technology Group, a part of Roche Sequencing Solutions, is seeking an accomplished technical leader to drive our applied chemistry efforts. This is a hands-on role for a multidisciplinary expert focused on solving the core chemical challenges at the heart of our next-generation platforms. You will be responsible for inventing, developing, and integrating the novel chemical processes and formulations that ensure the ultimate performance, reliability, and longevity of our fluidic systems. In this role, you will drive and execute early-stage R&D projects and collaborate closely with materials, mechanical, consumables, and integration engineers to develop robust solutions-from inventing novel surface modification strategies to formulating reagents that solve complex challenges like non-specific binding and carryover-bridging the gap between fundamental chemistry and applied systems engineering.

Core Responsibilities:

Chemistry Innovation & Process Development

• You will invent, screen, and validate novel chemical formulations and buffer additives to mitigate biofouling and the non-specific adsorption of sensitive molecules within complex fluidic systems while also maintaining fluidic stability/performance.

• You will pioneer and optimize novel chemistries and conjugation methodologies for the attachment of coatings, polymers and biomolecules to various surfaces, ensuring high efficiency, stability, and optimal density for downstream applications.

• You will lead the development and validation of protocols for complex fluidic systems to eliminate carryover and ensure robust, reproducible performance over the lifetime of the system.

• You will design and execute studies to determine optimal process conditions and chemical compatibility for on-instrument processes and chemical reactions.

• You will drive root cause investigations of system-level contamination issues.

• You will drive innovation and influence the R&D technology roadmap, championing new technologies that define the future.

Assay Development & System Performance

• You will develop novel characterization methods and assays to assess the performance of surface modifications, including the quantification of ligand density, binding capacity, and chemical stability.

• You will develop and manage end-to-end analytical workflows for trace contaminant detection, including selection of instrumentation and collaboration with external labs.

• You will utilize simulation tools and scripting to model chemical and fluidic workflows, predict system behavior, and accelerate the optimization of experimental protocols.

Workflow Implementation & System Troubleshooting

• You will conduct hands-on experiments and activities on breadboards, custom fixtures, and early-stage prototype systems, personally driving the optimization of chemical workflows on fluidic systems and related hardware.

• You will troubleshoot complex, system-level performance issues where the root cause may be chemical in nature and will require a deep, first-principles approach to problem-solving that spans chemistry, materials, hardware and software.

• You will help recruit, build, and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary chemistry and/or integration teams as a player-coach. This will include identifying resource needs and effectively pitching those needs to senior leadership. It will also include fostering a culture of strong work ethics, systems-level thinking, scientific/engineering rigor, and rapid learning cycles.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Strategy

• You will serve as the team's primary subject matter expert on applied chemistry, partnering closely with Materials, Consumables and Fluidics Engineers to select, test, and qualify new materials for chemical compatibility and performance, and develop scalable methods to bond similar and dissimilar materials, ensuring the long-term integrity of consumable devices.

• You will collaborate with Systems, Mechanical, and Software Engineers to ensure seamless integration of chemical processes with the overall system architecture, defining requirements for fluidic control, thermal management, and automated protocol execution.

• You will identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with critical technology partners, vendors, and suppliers, and serve as the technical liaison between these partners and internal R&D teams to ensure efficient outsourcing and high-quality data interpretation.

• You will analyze complex data sets, author technical reports, generate intellectual property, and present findings and strategic recommendations to the team, the organization, and senior leadership.

Who You Are
Required:

Core Technical Experience & Expertise

• You have a PhD in Chemistry or a closely related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant industry experience in a research and product development environment; OR a Master's degree in Chemistry with at least 13 years of relevant industry experience; OR a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry with at least 15 years of relevant industry experience.

• You possess hands-on expertise in surface chemistry, bioconjugation techniques, and the chemical principles governing interactions at solid-liquid interfaces.

• You have a demonstrated track record of developing and validating chemical processes or formulations on prototypes with complex fluidic or microfluidic systems within the life sciences, sequencing or diagnostics industries.

• You have direct experience with the chemistry of next-generation sequencing, solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis and multi-step enzymatic workflows.

• You have significant experience developing and implementing a wide variety of analytical assays to characterize chemical processes and quantify performance.

• You are proficient in a wide range of analytical techniques and analysis tools for chemical and materials characterization.

Problem Solving & Project Execution

• You have a demonstrated track record of serving as a technical lead for at least one full product development cycle of a complex life science instrument, from concept through to commercialization.

• You are an expert at troubleshooting complex integrated systems, with a proven ability to identify and resolve elusive issues that span chemistry, materials, hardware, and biology.

• You have excellent organizational skills, with proven experience planning, prioritizing, and executing on multiple technical projects in a fast-paced, ambiguous R&D environment.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• You have demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate complex chemical concepts in a clear and understandable manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• You have successfully demonstrated the ability to lead technical initiatives and mentor junior scientists and engineers.

• You have successfully demonstrated the ability to recruit, build, and lead high-performing, multi-disciplinary chemistry, integration and/or engineering teams.

Personal Attributes & Work Style

• You are an action-oriented and decisive problem-solver, thriving in a fast-paced environment where you work with a sense of urgency and optimism.

• You possess a deep scientific curiosity and an innate desire to learn, be challenged, and challenge the status quo.

Preferred Experience:

• You have direct experience with a range of surface characterization techniques.

• You have direct experience with contamination analysis and mitigation strategies

• You have direct experience with methodologies such as Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical process control (SPC).

• You have a strong record of innovation, demonstrated by a portfolio of patents and/or publications in relevant fields.

This is an on-site position based in Santa Clara, CA. Relocation benefits are not being offered for this role.

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of Santa Clara, CA is $146,400 - $272,000. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance.

This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100'000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let's build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.

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