Optical Engineer

---

You will have a leading role in the development of the optical front-end for an innovative platform for molecularly guided surgery. We are looking for an outstanding Optical Engineer with comfortability in microfabricated optics, optics assembly, simulation, and integration with electronics (imaging chips, FPGA, basic PCB design and assembly), with ability to code (Python, MATLAB, etc). You will closely work with a team spanning electronics, biology, and oncology as we redefine cancer surgery. At InSyte Bio, you will be deeply involved in designing and assembling our next generation imaging platform, validating in in vitro (lab based) and animal models together with the team.  This is a multidisciplinary team - enabling you to gain a wide spectrum of exposure across the biomedical space.

As an early employee, you will have a leadership role, and the opportunity to take part and gain exposure in a wide array of activities, including interacting with surgeons, vendors, the FDA, corporate partners, and investors.

Location: Bay Area, CA

Hybrid: A hybrid position is possible, but in person is preferred, given the lab-based nature of the Company. A flexible schedule of partial weeks remotely can be arranged during periods of less lab-based activities. Anticipate 3 days/week or more in the lab on average.

1. Designing and building a microfabricated optical front end for a novel fluorescence imaging technology. You will work with vendors to simulate and specify fabrication parameters, assemble, test and validate in-house.
2. Micro-scale assembly of optics, laser diodes including comfortability with PCB assembly and use of benchtop electronics (power supplies, oscilloscopes, function generators, etc). 
3. Building early prototype models that include the optics and, working with our electrical engineering team, design 3D CAD packages for the overall device. Work closely with our Advisory Board consisting of surgeons on the ideal form-factor. 
4. Work with our software engineering team on the visual interface for surgeons to display the imaging data.
5. Working with our bio-team on the in vitro and animal-based testing of the platform.
6. Characterizing imaging through tissue, including in simulation, to assess effects of autofluorescence, scattering and absorption. 

1. A fast-paced, innovative, multidisciplinary environment spanning engineering, optics, biology and surgery. Working closely with the founder, Dr. Anwar, and the team to assemble a first-in-class molecularly-guided intraoperative imager.
2. Opportunities for growth and expanding learning/exposure over multiple verticals including software engineering, electronics, optics, biology and surgery.
3. Equity
4. Leadership opportunities.
5. Ability to publish in leading journals and share results at top international conferences.
6. Working with key leaders in the field of imaging and surgery. 
7. Collaborations with top universities as sites of first clinical trials.

Degree (BS/BA or above (MS, PhD, ScD)) in Optics, Physics, Engineering (Electrical, EECS, ECE, Bioengineering) or closely related field

Hands-on laboratory experience with optics (formal education/coursework/degree is less important than someone who has spent time in the lab, making something).

Good optical laboratory skills: assembly, cleaning, alignment of delicate and precise optical components.

Works well in a team, adaptable with respect to project tasks

Organized as you will need to keep track of multiple stakeholders in bringing together the product. 

• Light sources (laser diodes in particular)
• Assembly of optics in a microfabricated format (alignment, epoxy, etc)
• Simulation of optical systems/CAD (can be learned if not known)
• Light detectors: eg CMOS, CCD, photodiodes, etc
• Measurement devices: eg power meters, oscilloscopes, etc
• Optical components: filters, fiber optics 
• CAD tools (can be learned)

• Familiarity with assembly of electronics. Comfortability with FPGA, PC Board design, board-level assembly (eg integration of components spanning analog to digital, including amplifiers, and ADCs.
• Proficiency with python.
• Theoretical knowledge of image formation across low and high numerical aperture systems.
• Experience with image processing.
• Optical CAD
• Mechanical CAD
• Rapid prototyping (3D printing)
• Wirebonding

InSyte Bio is an early stage startup dedicated to dramatically improving cancer outcomes by ensuring that cancer surgeries remove all tumor cells. Currently almost a third of cancer surgeries leave cells behind because they cannot be seen or felt, doubling the risk that cancer returns, and requiring patients to get significant additional surgery, chemotherapy or radiation to try to mitigate this risk - often with poor results.  Ensuring all tumor cells are removed in a single operation will be a major improvement in cancer care.

Commensurate with experience, the base-pay ranges from $120,000 - $190,000.  Importantly, base pay is only one component of the total compensation. We offer a competitive equity package, which has significant upside given the company's early stage. Opportunities for a leadership role and commiserate title are available. Signon/relocation bonus is provided. Milestone-based bonuses are also provided, significantly increasing the total compensation. 

InSyte Bio offers a full range of benefits, including health care, vacation days.

InsSyte Bio is committed to a diverse and welcoming environment. 

See above for possibility for a hybrid position. 

Individuals seeking employment at InSyte Bio are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

InSyte Bio does not accept unsolicited applicants submitted by third-party recruiters or agencies. Any resume or application submitted to InSyte Bio without a vendor agreement in place will be considered unsolicited and property of InSyte Bio, and InSyte Bio will not pay a placement fee.

InSyte Bio’s mission is to eliminate the recurrence by ensuring removal of all cancer cells during surgery.  

Nearly 1 in 3 cancer surgeries leave cells behind, doubling the rate that cancer returns. InSyte Bio has developed a revolutionary surgical imaging system that can detect cancer cells 10,000 times more precisely than existing solutions in real-time, during surgery, enabling surgeons and oncologists to effectively combat the spread of cancer.  

The key to our approach is an ultra-miniaturized molecular imager, directly integrated into virtually any surgical instrument, seamlessly operating in the complex, small minimally invasive cavities common to modern cancer surgeries. Unlike any other technology available, InSyte's approach not only enables orders of magnitude more precision, but also enables imaging at the tissue surface and deep in tissue, where the earliest signs of cancer spread in lymph nodes can hide.  This guides surgery in a far more personalized manner, potentially leading to significantly improved clinical outcomes.

The technology has been developed (and patents issued), and InSyte’s near term goal is a first in human demonstration of this technology. With the ability to completely transform all cancer surgeries into molecularly guided procedures, we are poised to significantly improve the outcomes of the 600-800 thousand patients a year who undergo cancer surgery.  Moreover, precision intraoperative imaging will guide cancer care throughout the arc of the patient's journey, shaping the need for postoperative therapy, such as radiation and chemotherapy - enabling these therapies to be allied in a much more personalized fashion.