Caladan Bio is looking for a Senior Hardware Test Engineer to ensure the reliability, performance, and readiness of our next-generation bioreactor systems. In this role, you’ll test hardware and software, calibrate systems, tune control loops and run experiments to validate product performance. You’ll work closely with the engineering team to optimize sensor integration and refine system functionality. This position is ideal for a hands-on engineer with expertise in hardware/software testing and a passion for building reliable and high-performing systems. Familiarity with Python, sensors, and lab systems will help you excel in this role. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to have a lot of ownership over their work, collaborating with a small group of highly motivated individuals in a fast paced startup environment. 

Caladan Bio is a startup based in Brooklyn NY that is building next generation benchtop bioreactor systems. Caladan is backed by venture firms Twelve Below, Lerer Hippeau, Collaborative Fund and Wireframe VC. Caladan’s mission is to enable industrial biology companies to scale up bio-based products by arming them with high-throughput bioreactors, designed to increase the amount of benchtop experiments they can run, getting their products to market faster. 

What You’ll Do

• Test and validate hardware and software components, including sensors, pumps, and subassemblies, to ensure system reliability and performance.
• Calibrate systems and components to meet design specifications and operational standards.
• Run experiments in the lab to validate system performance and contribute to product readiness.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to optimize sensor integration, improve subsystem performance, and resolve design challenges.
• Develop and execute test protocols to identify and troubleshoot system issues.
• Document test results, generate reports, and provide recommendations for system improvements.

What You’ll Bring

• Ability to work onsite at our Brooklyn, NY headquarters. 
• 5+ years in a test engineering role at a hardware or robotics company.
• Background in hardware/software testing, with a degree or equivalent experience in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering.
• Ability to tune PID controllers through hands-on testing.
• Proficiency in Python for testing and data analysis.
• Hands-on experience with sensors, actuators, and lab systems.
• Strong analytical skills and a detail-oriented approach to troubleshooting.
• Willingness to work in a fermentation lab setting and handle bioreactor systems.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.

Nice to have, but not required

• Experience with fermentation systems or bioreactors.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems and lab automation tools.
• Knowledge of testing standards and quality assurance processes for electromechanical devices.

What’s in it for you

• Be part of an innovative team building next-generation biotech tools.
• Chance to work on cutting edge technology that will shape the future of biomanufacturing. 
• Good medical, vision and dental coverage. 
• Competitive compensation: the salary range for this position is $110,000 to $140,000 plus equity.