Senior PAPRs Systems Engineer

ProEquip is a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that civilization can withstand and recover from severe biological crises, including AI-enabled pandemics. We model severe biological crisis scenarios and deliver the capabilities needed to withstand them, including crisis preparedness and response infrastructure and highly effective respiratory protection, with an initial focus on critical infrastructure, where targeted interventions can keep vital systems operational and deliver population-scale resilience.We are led by a senior team with decades of combined experience across global respiratory product development, engineering, applied research, and regulatory affairs, and are backed by access to hundreds of millions of dollars for stockpiles, research, and infrastructure. We are building capabilities that simply do not exist anywhere else. If you've been looking for a place where you can grow quickly and actually see the impact of what you do, you'll feel at home here.About the Role & TeamTechnology is advancing biological risk faster than biodefense has kept pace, and ProEquip was built to close that gap. Our BioProtection platform defines and delivers the protective equipment required to maintain critical operations when it matters most. We are focused on respiratory protection for the workers society depends on, including power generation and distribution, law enforcement and first responders, key manufacturing, healthcare, and more.We are seeking a Senior PAPR Systems Engineer with deep, bench-level command of how complete PAPR systems work to help us identify, rigorously evaluate, and where necessary improve the most capable platforms available. This person will help design and direct technical evaluations across multiple manufacturing partners, develop the quality standards we require of our suppliers, and build the frameworks needed to manage high-performance equipment over multi-year stockpile horizons. It is a role for a rare kind of technical expert, one who has spent a career mastering these systems and is now looking for a mission worthy of that expertise.The Senior PAPR Systems Engineer will not be constrained to one company's platform or a single product roadmap. You will bring your full depth of knowledge to bear across a range of systems, with the independence to make conclusions and the organizational backing to act on them. The workers we protect, those who keep the power on, maintain order, and sustain critical infrastructure when everything else is at risk, deserve equipment that has been evaluated with exactly this level of rigor. If that mission compels you, we want to hear from you.This is a full-time position based in Berkeley, CA (remote considered with frequent travel), reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer.What You Will DoNo two days look exactly alike, but here's the core of what you'll own:System Evaluation and Partner AssessmentHelp design and direct structured technical evaluations of PAPR systems from multiple OEM and manufacturing partnersAssess strengths, weaknesses, and suitability of each system for ProEquip's target use cases, including healthcare, law enforcement, power generation, and key manufacturing environments, among othersDevelop comparative evaluation frameworks across all major subsystems: headtop and breathing tube design, fan and motor design, battery and power management, electronics and controls, filter media compatibility, pressure drop performance, and injection molded components and housingProduce concise technical assessment reports suitable for executive, partner, and regulatory audiencesTest Plan Development and Lab ExecutionDesign and direct test plans to validate or stress-test system performance claims, using ProEquip's Berkeley lab infrastructure including flow rate stands, battery and runtime systems, and EN 12941/12942 breathing resistance equipmentDefine pass/fail criteria and measurement protocols aligned with NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84, EN 12941, and EN 12942Identify failure modes, performance gaps, and design risks across evaluated systems before they become field problemsCollaborate with the applied research and lab operations teams to execute test protocols efficiently and with scientific rigorQuality Systems and Supplier OversightDefine the quality systems and standards ProEquip requires of third-party PAPR suppliers, and assess whether existing supplier quality programs meet those requirementsDevelop quality management frameworks for ProEquip's own operations, including long-term stockpile management protocols for complete PAPR systems, batteries, and consumable componentsEstablish shelf-life, inspection, and maintenance standards appropriate for multi-year stockpile deployments in varied storage environmentsImprovement Direction and Partner EngagementTranslate test findings and quality assessments into specific, actionable improvement recommendations for partner manufacturersServe as a credible technical voice in discussions with OEM partners, helping ProEquip negotiate performance requirements and design changes from a position of deep domain knowledgeContribute to ProEquip's broader PAPR research agenda, including source control, transmission science, and reusability studiesWhat We’re Looking For10+ years of hands-on engineering experience with PAPR systems, spanning development, testing, and technical leadership.Deep working knowledge of PAPR subsystems: airflow dynamics, filtration media and efficiency, fan and blower design, headtop and breathing tube geometry, power systems, electronics integration, and manufactured component design.Fluency with relevant standards, including NIOSH 42 CFR Part 84, EN 12941, EN 12942, and related test method references within the CFR.Experience designing and executing test plans for respiratory protective equipment, with the ability to translate results into defensible technical conclusions.Practical understanding of quality systems and supplier qualification in a regulated or safety-critical manufacturing environment.Ability to evaluate systems made by others with objectivity and independence, regardless of brand or prior affiliation.Strong technical communication skills: able to write clear assessments and present findings credibly to non-specialist audiences.Background in industrial hygiene, human factors, or field deployment of PAPR in complex environments is a plus.Nice to HavePrior experience at a major respiratory protection manufacturer strongly preferredEducationA bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline is required.A master’s degree in a relevant field, including Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health and Safety, or Aerosol Science, is preferred.Candidates with equivalent hands-on experience designing, testing, or evaluating PAPR or respiratory systems will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401(k) with company match, flexible PTO, generous parental leave, family building 12 Paid company holidaysThe expected base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000 per year. Actual base pay will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, education, skills, and geographic location. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with employer match, and Flexible PTO.This position is open to candidates based in Berkeley, CA or remote within the United States.Equal Opportunity EmployerProEquip is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.California Applicants: Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), we collect personal information from applicants solely for recruitment purposes and do not sell applicant data.