Lab Automation Engineer

This role is based at our Leiden Center research site in Boston and is an on-site position, working five days per week with ad hoc flexibility.

About the role

As a Lab Automation Engineer, you will be part of a team dedicated to designing, implementing, and validating automation solutions across various automation platforms (Hamilton, Biomek, etc.) with a moderate degree of supervision. You will support multiple disease areas and advance automation capabilities within Vertex Cell & Genetic Therapies. This role involves developing an understanding of research and development processes to establish new capabilities and improve efficiencies through automation enhancements.

Responsibilities

• Translates manual research and development processes into the design of automation systems.
• Troubleshoots standard system problems by analyzing information to make judgments; documents identified solutions.
• Supports daily operations, commissioning, and validation activities while working in cross-functional teams.
• Works to identify continuous improvement opportunities and participates in driving them from conception through implementation.
• Participates in automation design for both continuous and batch processes.
• Provides technical guidance in the operation of the automation system and participates in the advancement of current automation capabilities and the design and implementation of new automation capabilities.
• Complies with all relevant safety and GMP procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in chemical engineering, computer sciences, or a related field.
• 1 year of experience in life sciences, engineering, or academia.

Skills

• Utilizing Hamilton and Biomek automation programming, method development, and general maintenance.
• Scheduling software for integrated automation work cells.
• Method development, optimization, and deployment of both high-throughput cell-based and biochemical assays.
• Working with automated data capture software.
• Experience with common scripting languages (e.g., Python, R, C, C++) and basic familiarity with SQL databases.
• Familiarity with version control tools such as Git, and experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment practices preferred.
• Assisting large matrix technical teams to reach successful outcomes under accelerated timelines across broad disease areas and therapeutic modalities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to exchange straightforward information and confirm understanding.

Pay

The base salary pay range for this role is $85,600 - $128,400. 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 skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Benefits

• Inclusive market-leading medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous paid time off, including a week-long company shutdown in the summer and winter.
• Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment.
• Generous commuting subsidy.
• Matching charitable donations.
• 401(k) retirement plan and more.