ML Optical Engineer

The Opportunity 
Machine learning and microscopy imaging lie at the core of insitro’s approach to rethinking drug development. Our goal is to use machine learning to extract disease phenotypes from high throughput, high content, microscopy image datasets of cellular disease model systems and identify connections to clinical disease phenotypes. As a computational optical engineer, you will lead the build and development of cutting edge microscopy platforms and methods that solve key problems in the drug development process.  

You will lead the development of both computational and optical-mechanical designs that enable differentiating capabilities for capturing relevant image-based information at high resolution and scale. You will work closely with a team of life scientists, machine learning engineers and process engineers to identify opportunities for hardware and software developments to improve dataset generation and will prototype and deliver solutions. As a part of this process, you will rigorously analyze complex dataset and design metrics to ensure robustness of our methods. At the cross-functional interface of bioengineering, process engineering and data science, your role will require strong communication and coordination skills to describe the requirements necessary for the success of your projects and to collaborate effectively to deliver those solutions. 

You will be joining as the founding team of a biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding, but yet is very much in formation. A lot can change in this early and exciting phase, providing many opportunities for significant impact. You will work closely with a very talented team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro’s culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!    


About You 
- MS, or Ph.D. in electrical engineering, optical engineering, computational imaging
- Proficient with Optical Design Software and methods of optical design & analysis
- Proficient with electronic design and rapid prototyping of opto-mechanical solutions
- Demonstrated ability to write high-quality, production-ready code (readable, well-tested, with well-designed APIs)
- Expertise in one or more general-purpose programming languages (such as Python, C/C++, or Scala) 
- Significant experience with at least one high-end ML development environment (Tensorflow, Pytorch, etc.)
- Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and job functions
- Passion for making a difference in the world 


Nice to Have  
- Strong experience with at least one optical design software ( ie Zeemax)
- Experience working with OpenCV, CUDA, Autograd
- Proficiency in Linux environment (including shell scripting), experience with database languages (e.g., SQL, No-SQL) and experience with version control practices and tools (Git, Perforce, etc.)
- Familiarity with cloud computing services (AWS or GCP)  


Benefits at insitro 
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Open vacation policy
- Team lunches (catered daily)
- Complementary onsite barista and snacks 
- Commuter benefits
- Paid parental leave
- Flexible work schedule (on site and remote)

About insitro
insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning and data generation at scale to transform the way that drugs are discovered and delivered to patients. We rely on human genetic cohorts, human-derived cellular disease models, and high-throughput biology and chemistry to identify coherent patient segments, actionable therapeutic targets, and new or existing chemical matter. The goal is to deliver predictive insights to improve the probability of success and reduce the number of costly dead ends along the R&D journey. The company has established enabling collaborations with Gilead in NASH and Bristol Myers Squibb in ALS and is building a pipeline of wholly owned and partnered medicines leveraging its unique insights on patient biomarkers, targets, and molecules. insitro is located in South San Francisco, CA and has raised over $600M from top tech, biotech, and crossover investors since formation in 2018. For more information on insitro, please visit the company’s website at www.insitro.com.