Sr. Staff Development Scientist

Bring more to life at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, a global leader in clinical diagnostics and one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies. Our work saves lives, and we’re united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact. You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where your unique viewpoint matters, and you’ll help turn ideas into impact through Danaher’s system of continuous improvement. Our diagnostic solutions are used in routine and complex clinical testing across hospitals, reference and research laboratories, and physician offices worldwide. Every hour, more than one million tests are run on our systems, impacting 1.2 billion patients and over three million clinicians annually.

About the role

The Sr. Staff Development Scientist leads complex antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) development programs, drives DOE-based experimental strategy, and makes technical decisions across multiple projects. This on-site role in West Sacramento, California, reports to the Director, R&D Assay Development, Microbiology, and is part of the Development Science team.

Responsibilities

• Lead 2-3 concurrent development projects or one multi-project program, establishing technical strategy, aligning major workstreams, and driving execution across Development Science.
• Develop and optimize antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) assays using statistically sound experimental designs and Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies.
• Serve as the Development Science subject matter expert, guiding programs from feasibility through regulatory clearance, including authoring and approving design control documentation.
• Partner with Regulatory Affairs, Manufacturing, Clinical Affairs, Systems Engineering, Software, and Program Management to resolve complex technical issues and support audits, risk management, and CAPA investigations.
• Mentor and develop scientific staff, lead technical reviews, and build training programs and knowledge-sharing tools to strengthen organizational capability.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading complex AST (antimicrobial susceptibility testing) assay-development programs or comparable regulated diagnostic product-development programs.
• Expertise in Design of Experiments (DOE) creation, advanced data analysis, and evidence-based technical decision-making.
• Experience supporting the full development lifecycle from feasibility through regulatory clearance, including 510(k) submission experience.
• Experience authoring design control documentation and supporting audits, risk management, CAPA investigations, verification, and design transfer.
• PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline with 9+ years of experience; OR Master’s degree with 12+ years of experience; OR Bachelor’s degree with 14+ years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing technical leadership in collaborations with CROs, vendors, universities, or other external partners.
• Experience serving as a microbiology subject matter expert supporting Systems Engineering or Software integration efforts.
• Experience identifying and evaluating emerging technologies and contributing to technology roadmap development.

Travel

Occasional travel (estimated less than 10%) to support in-person collaboration with CROs, vendors, universities, or other external development partners, as needed.

Benefits

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics offers a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan

Pay

The annual salary range for this role is $200,000–$220,000, with eligibility for bonus/incentive pay.