Staff Systems Engineer - Pleasanton, CA

Summary:

Calyxo is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer with expertise in fluidic systems to architect, validate, and own the system-level behavior of a complex medical device ecosystem thoughought the entire product development lifecycle.

You will define and own the end-to-end fluidic system architecture, translate user and business needs into robust system and subsystem requirements, validate architectural decisions through prototyping and bench testing, and proactively de‑risk critical technical challenges. This role carries direct accountability for system-level requirements ownership and verification.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on fluidics expertise, strong systems thinking, and the technical leadership expected of a staff-level engineer operating across hardware, software, disposables, and clinical use environments.

In This Role, You Will:

System Architecture & Fluidics Leadership

• Serve as the architect and technical owner of the system with strong focus on the fluidic performance
• Define the end-to-end system architecture encompassing capital equipment, endoscopes, disposable tubing sets, sensors, pumps (positive and negative), and control software.
• Establish and control system interfaces, including fluidic, mechanical, electrical, and software-control boundaries
• Drive architectural trade studies using bench testing, prototyping, and simulation to validate design decisions.
• Ensure architectural robustness across intended use, misuse, fault conditions, and edge cases.

 

Requirements Ownership & Decomposition

• Own creation, maintenance, and verification of system-level requirements, with particular emphasis on fluidic performance, safety, and reliability.
• Decompose user, clinical, and business needs into clear, testable system and subsystem requirements across:
  • Disposable fluid paths
  • Pumping and flow-control subsystems
  • Sensors and feedback loops
• Ensure complete traceability from user needs through requirements, risks, mitigation, and verification.
• Write requirements that are technically precise, non-prescriptive, and verification-ready.

Risk Reduction & Technical Validation

• Lead identification and mitigation of system-level fluidic risks, including pressure excursions, occlusions, leaks, compliance variability, air management, and failure modes across reusable and disposable components.
• Own or significantly contribute to system-level dFMEAs, ensuring strong linkage between requirements, risk controls, and verification activities.
• Define and support system-level verification strategies, ensuring requirements are objectively testable and clinically relevant.
• Actively de-risk novel or critical aspects of the system through early experimentation and focused learning cycles.

Cross-Functional Technical Leadership

• Serve as the fluidics and systems subject-matter expert across mechanical, electrical, firmware, software, clinical, quality, and product teams.
• Lead architecture reviews, requirements reviews, and system-level design discussions.
• Work closely with other technical leads (mechanical, electrical, and SW) to ensure a fully functional system
• Provide clear technical direction and interface control to external development partners, ensuring alignment with Calyxo’s system architecture and verification strategy.
• Mentor engineers on systems thinking, requirement quality, and architectural rigor.

Who You Will Report To:

• Sr. Manager, Systems and Test Engineering 

Requirements:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field; Master’s or PhD strongly preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in medical device development, with significant ownership of system architecture.
• Demonstrated expertise in fluidics, including irrigation, aspiration, pressure and flow control, and vacuum systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with both:
  • Single-use disposable systems
  • Capital equipment incorporating pumps, sensors, and closed-loop control

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of positive and negative pumping technologies and their control strategies.
• Experience architecting systems that integrate hardware, disposables, and software
• Proven ownership of system-level requirements and verification.
• Proficiency with Jama (or equivalent), dFMEAs, fault-tree analysis, and requirements traceability.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant medical device standards (e.g., ISO 14971, IEC 62304, IEC 60601 family).
• Track record of writing high-quality, testable requirements that scale across complex systems.

Leadership & Communication

• Staff-level technical judgment and decision-making capability.
• Ability to lead through influence and technical authority rather than direct reporting lines.
• Clear, concise technical communicator across disciplines and experience levels.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity, making informed trade-offs, and driving alignment.

 Work Conditions

• Location: Pleasanton, CA (on-site presence expected 4–5 days per week)
• Travel: Minimal (<10%)

What We Offer:

At Calyxo, you will be part of a knowledgeable, high-achieving, experienced, and fun team.  You will work in a diverse work environment with experienced, proven leaders and have an opportunity to shape our company culture.  You will experience constant learning and dynamic challenges to help you grow and be the best version of yourself. 

We also offer an attractive compensation package, which includes:

• A competitive base salary if $195,000 - $205,000 and variable incentive plan
• Stock options – ownership and a stake in growing a mission-driven company
• Employee benefits package that includes 401(k), healthcare insurance and paid vacation