Automation Engineer

About the role

We are looking for a highly motivated Automation Engineer to perform scientific services and work with laboratory instruments in scientific laboratories. The successful candidate will work on-site at clients' locations, supporting a wide variety of low- to high-end laboratory equipment. You will provide responsive, knowledgeable support tailored to clients' customized specifications, run key experiments to keep labs moving forward, and may manage scientific services engagements at client sites.

Responsibilities

• Handle daily sample handling requests, including weekly and ad-hoc tasks.
• Serve as a 'first-responder' for troubleshooting, error recovery, and simple programming of automated sample management platforms (e.g., Agilent Bravo, Beckman Echo, Hamilton Liquid Handler).
• Develop and implement proactive maintenance regimes for sample management automated platforms.
• Oversee and participate in equipment support activities for automated platforms.
• Develop support solutions tailored to the requirements of the Sample Management team at customer sites to enhance service delivery.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with OEM Service Organizations, particularly Hamilton, Agilent, and Beckman.
• Collaborate with other engineers to leverage platform and systems knowledge, minimizing instrument downtime.
• Train equipment users on key concepts associated with platforms to support best practices and mitigate avoidable run failures.
• Maintain awareness of new developments in laboratory automation.
• Handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations, including identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing, and labeling hazardous waste.

Requirements

• B.Sc. in Engineering or a Life Sciences-related subject.
• 2 years’ experience in laboratory automation and lab instrumentation support.
• Ability to handle sample handling procedures and run screening assays (e.g., HTRF, Alpha, Cellular).
• Demonstrated hands-on ability with relevant equipment and documented training.
• Understanding of current regulatory requirements for documentation and data recording.
• Awareness of the impact of tasks on scientists' work.
• Patience for training new users on lab technology.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.Sc. in a Life Sciences or Engineering-related subject.
• 2 years’ experience in applications support or service development.
• Experience with Beckman Echo systems.
• Pharmaceutical or regulated working background.
• Previous experience working in multidisciplinary, customer-facing teams.
• Basic understanding of automating scientific processes.
• Experience developing and optimizing complex protocols on liquid handling automation.
• Experience servicing scientific equipment.
• Understanding of device networking and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of biochemical, cellular, or assay techniques.
• Experience with scripting and advanced programming languages (e.g., Hamilton software).
• Experience installing and servicing large integrated systems.

Working Environment

• Must be able to work in a laboratory environment requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses).
• Fast-paced environment with high job completion demands.
• Must remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time.
• Occasional movement between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite.
• Frequent operation of instruments, tools, or controls, requiring bending, squatting, stretching, and reaching.
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required: close-range detail observation, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasional use of computers and office machinery (e.g., calculators, printers).
• Potential exposure to lab-based hazards, including extreme temperatures, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May require Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator in environments with animal allergens.

Pay

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $55,000 to $88,000. The final base pay offered will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, and individual qualifications such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.