E184 is hiring a Chief Technology Officer to lead the technical vision, architecture, and execution for our artificial womb lab. In this role, you will design and oversee the development of integrated systems spanning perfusion, sensing, automation, and control architecture required for long-term ex utero biological support.
What You'll Do
- Architect integrated biological systems, leading the development of our core technology platform that combines fluidic, mechanical, sensing, and computational subsystems.
- Design long-term perfusion and support platforms, including perfusion architectures, oxygenation systems, mechanical assemblies, and environmental control systems.
- Implement systems engineering rigor by applying closed-loop design principles, redundancy strategies, and failure-mode analysis to ensure robustness and safety.
- Develop sensing and control infrastructure, overseeing the integration of biosensors, optical monitoring, embedded systems, and real-time data acquisition pipelines.
- Lead engineering execution by building, mentoring, and guiding multidisciplinary teams across mechanical, electrical, software, and computational domains.
- Translate biology into engineering by partnering with scientific teams to convert physiological requirements into engineering specifications.
- Drive technical strategy and delivery, establishing technical roadmaps, managing engineering milestones, and communicating progress to leadership.
- Enable scalable manufacturing by guiding system design toward manufacturability, reliability, and regulatory readiness.
What We're Looking For
- PhD or advanced degree in engineering, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related field (or equivalent industry experience).
- 7+ years of post-graduate research or industry experience developing complex integrated engineering or medical device systems.
- Strong expertise in systems engineering and closed-loop system design.
- Deep knowledge of fluid mechanics and perfusion system engineering, including flow control, shear stress considerations, and long-term sterile circulation.
- Experience designing and integrating medical or bioengineering hardware platforms.
- Proficiency with sensor integration, embedded systems, and computer-controlled instrumentation.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and managing complex engineering projects from concept through implementation.
- Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within a fast-paced startup environment.
Nice to Have
- Systems engineering principles and architecture.
- Closed-loop systems and control design.
- Failure-mode analysis and redundancy planning.
- Fluid mechanics and pump/flow control strategies.
- Oxygenator and gas-exchange technologies.
- Medical device and mechanical system design.
- Biosensors, optical monitoring, and signal filtering.
- Real-time data acquisition and control systems.
- Precision and sterile manufacturing environments.
- Automation and AI-driven experimental systems.
- Control theory and reinforcement learning concepts.
- Biomaterials, hydrogel systems, and ECM mechanics.
- Surface coatings and fouling prevention strategies.
- Biocompatibility and protein adsorption dynamics.
- Regulatory translation, including FDA medical device pathways.
- ISO 13485 and ISO 14971 quality and risk standards.
Team & Environment
You will report to the CSO and executive leadership. The role offers unrivaled impact, working on technology that transforms human fertility and reproductive medicine. You'll gain full-spectrum growth across the discovery lifecycle and experience the creative chaos of an early-stage startup with the stability of a well-capitalized company, collaborating with a world-class team.
Benefits & Compensation
- Competitive salary + equity participation.
- State-of-the-art facility in Portland metro area.
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, and 401(k) with company match.
- 20 days PTO + 11 paid holidays.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position based in the Portland metro area.
