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:

Disclosure Statement:

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