Vertex Fall Co-op 2026, Instrumentation Engineer

Job Description Kickstart Your Career at Vertex! Are you ready to make a real impact? At Vertex, our mission is to tackle serious diseases and to change lives, for the better, for the future. Our aim is to give you the skills, insights, and career guidance to be an important part of that future; to turn your potential into progression. As a Vertex intern or co-op, you’ll work on meaningful projects, collaborate with talented teams, and learn from industry leaders. We’re passionate about innovation, inclusion, and supporting your growth—inside and outside the lab. Why Vertex? Real Projects: You’ll work on assignments that make a real impact, not just busy work. Mentorship & Networking: Connect with leaders and peers who want to see you succeed through professional networks, connections, and collaborations that will shape your longer-term career. Flexible & Supportive: We offer flexible work options with Flex @ Vertex and prioritize your wellbeing. Inclusive Culture: Collaboration and inclusion are embedded in everything we do. Career Launchpad: Build skills, explore career paths, and get guidance for your future career. Ready to apply? Submit your application and let’s turn possibilities into reality! Important Notice Regarding Internship and Co-op Inquiries At Vertex Pharmaceuticals, we are committed to providing a fair and structured recruitment process for all students interested in internship and co-op opportunities. To ensure consistency and equity, all student applications must go through our Early Talent Acquisition Team. Due to the high volume of interest, we are unable to respond to individual solicitation. Direct solicitation to Vertex employees- including senior leaders via email will result in removal from the recruiting process. We appreciate your enthusiasm and interest in Vertex. To be considered for internship or co-op roles, please apply directly through our official application channels. (https://www.vrtx.com/careers/career-growth-and-opportunities/co-ops/) Thank you for respecting our process and helping us maintain a fair experience for all candidates. Your Impact The Instrumentation Engineer Co-op program is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or other related fields. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at Vertex will help you gain meaningful experience in our Engineering & Applied Physics functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career. The application deadline for this co-op is April 3rd. Please note that Vertex reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline. Applicants can expect to receive an update about their application before or shortly after the application deadline. What you will be doing: Vertex's Engineering & Applied Physics team in San Diego is seeking a knowledgeable, motivated, hands-on, advanced engineering student for a Summer/Fall co-op internship. Our dynamic, in-house team of engineers and scientists develops everything from advanced robotics and automation to microfluidics and state-of-the-art microscopy, creating high-performance technology solutions for complex drug discovery challenges. Where commercial solutions don’t exist, the team works closely with Vertex scientists to invent innovative tools that enable breakthrough research and the creation of life-saving medicines. The Instrumentation Engineer Co-op will work on a new, small instrument design, prototype, and build project, in a cross-discipline team, receiving technical guidance and 1:1 mentorship from seasoned team members, getting real world engineering experience, and in the end will have developed an instrument that will be heavily used and relied upon by our scientists. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Key project responsibility is development of a low-profile electric motor instrument for mixing of chemical reagents. Collaborate with scientists to establish a shared comprehension of instrument applications and user interface requirements. Architect and build an embedded and/or PC-based control system to implement all required features. Document system with Theory of Operation, schematics, design files, bill of materials. Design and implement control system hardware from initial proof of concept stage through small-scale production and operational deployment. Collaborate with mechanical team on packaging design/build. Train and support Vertex scientists in the operation of the new instrument. Share status and work through regular design reviews and an end-of-term poster presentation. What you will need to succeed: Advanced undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate student in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or related field. Proficient knowledge and experience with printed circuit board (PCB) design, build and test. Altium Designer, PSpice, STM32 MCU Software tools a plus Solid understanding of electric motor drive schemes, design, and theory. Proficiency in embedded firmware programming is desirable. Strong initiative for project implementation on short timelines. An effective team player, ability to collaborate closely with other engineers and scientists. A compulsive problem solver; able to find effective, innovative solutions to challenging problems, in a high-paced, highly productive, and collaborative work environment. Strong passion for science and engineering, with an ambition to apply this enthusiasm toward making a tangible impact on the lives of patients facing serious diseases. Capacity to work full-time onsite in San Diego, CA. Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships or entry level roles within this part of the organization. You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before December 2026. You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from July – December 2026. Program Details: Full-time, paid co-op $20.00 – 35.00 USD/hour Program Dates: July – December 2026 Application Deadline: April 3rd, 2026 At Vertex, we believe that when you feel your best, you can perform at your best. That’s why our US benefits and global well-being resources are designed to support you. Free 24/7 onsite gym access and free access to group exercise classes Subsidized commuter benefits - transit and parking Provided meals—free breakfast daily! Career development opportunities and events, including C Suite engagement Social events—both intern-only and company-wide Location-specific perks and extras! Recognition of National Intern Day Our Ways of Working Flex Designation: On-Site Eligible Flex Eligibility Status: On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time. Equal Opportunities Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. We consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. Accessibility & Accommodations We're focused on attracting, retaining, developing, and advancing our employees. By cultivating a workplace that values diverse experiences, backgrounds, and ideas, we create an environment where every employee can contribute their best. Vertex is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com Export Control Notice This position may involve access to technology or data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). As such, employment is contingent upon the applicant's ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with U.S. law. Due to the nature of the work and regulatory requirements, only individuals who qualify as U.S. persons (citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for this position. For this role, Vertex is unable to sponsor non-U.S. persons to apply for an export control license. This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner that provides services to Vertex. The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of that third-party agency; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency upon offer. Pay Range: $0 - $0 Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law. At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more. Company Information Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com Help Us Achieve Our Mission Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency . Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X , LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives. Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.