Job Description

Job Description

At Cepheid, we are passionate about improving health care through fast, accurate diagnostic testing. Our mission drives us, every moment of every day, as we develop scalable, groundbreaking solutions to solve the world’s most complex health challenges. Our associates are involved in every stage of molecular diagnostics, from ideation to development and delivery of testing advancements that improve patient outcomes across a range of settings. As a member of our team, you can make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development.

Cepheid is proud to work alongside a community of six fellow Danaher Diagnostics companies. Together, we’re working at the pace of change on diagnostic tools that address the world’s biggest health challenges, driven by knowing that behind every test there is a patient waiting. Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.

The Sr Director Manufacturing & Sustaining Engineering, Instruments will lead multiple leaders in the engineering organization of NPI Engineering, Sustaining Engineering, Service Engineering, Supplier Development Engineering, Technical Sustaining Engineering, and providing technical leadership and guidance to the entire Instrument Operations team. The person in this role will ensure that standard work and process discipline is established, and sufficient technical resources are deployed to support instruments across the progressive phases of the product lifecycle.

Additionally, this leader will be responsible to manage teams to develop and deploy solutions for new product introduction, compliance management, continuous quality improvement, end of life, field failure investigation, service products and serviceability, value added value engineering, and bill of material and specification management.

The person in this role will lead and/or participate in the development, standardization and improvement of manufacturing processes and systems via outsourced manufacturing at factories in California and Malaysia, and the associated global supply chain.

This position is part of the Instruments team within Global Supply Chain Operations and will be located in Sunnyvale, CA in an onsite role. At Cepheid, our vision is to be the leading provider of seamlessly connected diagnostic solutions.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Build, coach, and lead a diverse team of sustaining engineers and technicians and provide technical and personal leadership.
• Identify opportunities to enhance both supplier quality, internal systems and implement process enhancements, to driving continuous improvements for new and on-market products.
• Develop and Drive the team to achieve short and long term goals and plans through to encompass Sustaining/Manufacturing engineering and supplier technical management.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Manage NPI and Operational workflow balance with engineering and sustaining priorities and work closely with leadership and program managers to meet design, build, and test milestones for various NPI programs.
• Ensure teams apply robust, consistent, and reliable engineering fundamentals and processes to ensure product integrity and process capability and reliability.
• Ensure safety and quality remains a primary focus across all of the functional teams

The essential requirements of the job include:  

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related field with 14+ years of experience in hardware manufacturing environment OR Master’s/Doctoral degree with 12+ years of experience AND 4+ years managing people
• A Master degree in an engineering or related field with 11+ year in a hardware manufacturing environment and 6+ years in a leadership role
• Manage cross functional relationships and alignment as part of a Developed Strategy and Plan for a horizon view of an evolving organization
• Sustain and improve on market products for reliability, out of box quality, supply, and obsolescence.
• Collaborate with cross functional groups to identify, develop, and improve manufacturing processes and overall supply chain and operations outputs.
• Ensure timely release of engineering documentation and related technical processes in support of; assembly, test, integration, and refurbishment.
• Manage department budgets, staffing levels and capital equipment needs for Sustaining and NPI products
• Must demonstrate objective and measurable in assessing conflict and plans and project assessments, aligned to the business objectives, technical compliance and quality and reliability goals

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Experience managing multi-functional engineering teams in a pilot & production & service environment.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing engineering and test engineering principles
• Previous experience and success in developing/starting and transferring to contract manufacturers a new manufacturing processes with a product lifecycle management with associated phase gate reviews.

Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at danaherbenefitsinfo.com.

The salary range for this role is $150,000 - $215,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

At Danaher we bring together science, technology and operational capabilities to accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life. Our global teams are pioneering what’s next across Life Sciences, Diagnostics, Biotechnology and beyond. For more information, visit

Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. We value diversity and the existence of similarities and differences, both visible and not, found in our workforce, workplace and throughout the markets we serve. Our associates, customers and shareholders contribute unique and different perspectives as a result of these diverse attributes.

The EEO posters are available here.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at applyassistance@danaher.com to request accommodation.

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