Appetizers

Starting with some basics.

 Fun Starters

Getting to know the human side.

 Main Course

A quick deep dive into the day-to-day job.

Tell us about yourself and your job.

I am a systems support engineer at Illumina and our company specializes in DNA sequencing technology. As a systems support engineer, I service and troubleshoot the sequencing machines whenever there's an issue or defect. I also conduct qualification testing on the instruments to make sure they are working properly. Additionally, I collaborate with other engineers on a cross-functional team to come up with solutions to complex problems or recurring issues.

How did you end up in your field? What do you like about it?

Helping people is something that genuinely makes me happy and thus, this naturally propelled me to choose a field related to healthcare. I knew, however, that being a doctor or nurse was not the path for me so instead, I decided to be an engineer in the medical device industry so that I can help people from behind the scenes. Knowing that my work contributes to improving DNA sequencing as well as the betterment of healthcare and research is very rewarding and fulfilling career-wise.

What does a typical morning look like on the job?

My day-to-day responsibilities are centered around fixing issues related to the sequencing machines. I start my morning by checking emails and tickets submitted by internal clients, and this will provide me with a to-do list for the day.

Cool, then what does a typical afternoon look like?

My afternoon is spent on servicing and troubleshooting the sequencing machines, collaborating with other engineers to tackle complicated issues, and attending meetings.

What types of projects and meetings are you involved in?

My work is project-based, and the project can last for a couple of years before you can proceed to the next one. I am involved in meetings related to the project, and the purpose of most of my meetings is to update members if we have any new important information or changes to the project. Another reason to have meetings is to meet up with subject matter experts to talk about urgent complex issues that need to be addressed, and we have to work together to come up with solutions.

Who do you collaborate with within meetings and projects?

I collaborate with other engineers as well as researchers and scientists. The researchers and scientists are my internal clients so they are the ones conducting the chemistry runs on the sequencing machines. They are usually the ones who first encounter the issue and then report it to us engineers. I work with other engineers such as subject matter experts to come up with solutions to the issues.

 Dessert

Now for some juicy insights in the tea room.

What's the most challenging thing about your job?

The most challenging part is that sometimes when the system breaks down, there are many potential root causes so it can be difficult to narrow down to the exact issue. Moreover, when the issue is very complicated, the service manual cannot help me, and therefore, I have to think outside the box and get comfortable with working with different people before I get to the right answer.

What are some characteristics that can help someone succeed in your role?

Effective communication and open-mindedness are crucial since I have to deal with internal clients and work on a cross-functional team with other engineers to tackle complex issues. Patience and perseverance are also important because sometimes, problems can be very difficult, and thus, I need to be patient when troubleshooting things. I deal with a lot of failures too so it can feel very defeating at times but it's important to never give up because the answer will come eventually!

Any advice on how to stand out and get hired for those just starting off?

I think attitudes matter a lot during an interview. For candidates who do not have much experience, I think it's important to show that you're eager to learn and excited about the job. Moreover, in order to attract more attention to your resume, I highly recommend incorporating a lot of keywords from the job description of the job you're interested in into your resume.

What's something that surprised you about your job?

The most surprising part about my job is that being an engineer isn't just about doing "engineering" stuff only. Sometimes you have other mundane non-exciting tasks such as documenting activities and reports, collaborating with the finance and marketing teams to purchase or return items, working with the transportation team to move and ship things, and these responsibilities are not necessarily the most exciting things to do but they are nevertheless important tasks that need to get done in order to accomplish the bigger goal.

Any last thoughts, advice, or recommendations for someone who wants to do what you do?

I know that job hunting and trying to get that first job is very difficult, but I just want you to know that everything is going to be okay as long as you don't give up! Everyone works at a different pace so be careful not to compare yourself to others and just focus on yourself and your goals!

 Drinks

Chat more over coffee or tea?