Process & Automation Engineer (cell culture and molecular biology)

Company Overview We are building the technology and industrial base to make the promise of cell-based regenerative medicine available to everyone, for every ailment. We are a cutting-edge seed-stage biotechnology company building an AI-agentic deep tech platform to provide an infinite supply of unique functional tissues to enable transformative therapeutic solutions — at population scale. The platform seamlessly integrates software, AI, sequencing, and robotic solutions to listen to cells and adjust key parameters to guide stem cell differentiation. With a lean team of dedicated scientists and engineers, we are seeking a highly skilled Process & Automation Engineer to develop, optimize, and scale the automated biological processes powering our tissue engineering platform. Position Overview The Process & Automation Engineer will design, develop, and automate cell culture and molecular biology processes that bridge biology, robotics, and automation. This is an on-site (downtown Morrisville), paid, full-time permanent position. Ideally, the candidate ends up building the process engineering function of the company. You will collaborate closely with leadership, biologists, hardware and software developers, AI scientists, and operations staff to build robust, scalable processes that enable tissue generation at scale. An early objective of the role is to iterate twice on the core platform of the company to establish a first prototype that meets key performance objectives in support of the long-term vision of the company. Reports directly to the CEO. As an early member of a deep tech start-up led by biotech entrepreneurs with hyper-growth mentality, you will work closely with senior leadership and experience the early days of a start-up: autonomy, trust, and extremely high pace. Key ResponsibilitiesProcess Development & Automation Design, develop, and iterate automated workflows for cell culture, stem cell differentiation, and tissue maturation (e.g., media exchange, passaging, seeding, harvest, perfusion)Translate manual bench protocols into robust, reproducible automated processes on liquid handlers, robotic platforms, and custom bioreactor systemsDevelop and automate molecular biology workflows (e.g., sample preparation, nucleic acid extraction, library preparation for sequencing, QC assays)Program and operate automation platforms; develop scripts, APIs, and UIs as needed to run differentiation campaignsCollaborate with hardware and software engineers to implement closed-loop process control, machine vision, and real-time monitoring Process Characterization & Testing Define critical process parameters and quality attributes; establish in-process monitoring and QC strategiesEvaluate process performance, run failure and root-cause analysis, and optimize for robustness, reproducibility, yield, and throughputMaintain process documentation (protocols, SOPs, batch records, process flow diagrams) and ensure reproducibilityRun troubleshooting campaigns with water and surrogate reagents to discover and fix bugs across the stackRun beta experiments with live cells to demonstrate fitness of processes for scientific and commercial applications; in collaboration with scientists Cross-functional Collaboration Work closely with cell biologists and bioengineers to align process and biological performance targetsSupport scientific experimentation by rapidly iterating on process and automation needsContribute to design reviews, safety assessments, and regulatory documentation as neededProvide training and technical support to lab and operations staffCommunicate actively with leadership about technical, cultural, and any other corporate topics Strategic Development Contribute to platform roadmap and inform long-term process and manufacturing infrastructure strategyIdentify and evaluate emerging technologies that could accelerate our manufacturing capabilitiesParticipate in IP generation and protect novel processes through coordination with legal counsel Required QualificationsTechnical Experience 2+ years in process development, lab automation, or bioprocess engineering roles, ideally in industrial biotech, cell therapy, or advanced therapeutics manufacturing — personal projects or academic extra-curricular experiences are acceptableHands-on experience with mammalian cell culture, ideally including stem cells (iPSC/ESC) and differentiation workflowsProficiency with core molecular biology techniques (e.g., nucleic acid extraction, PCR/qPCR, sequencing sample prep, immunoassays)Experience with laboratory automation platforms (e.g., liquid handlers, robotic arms, automated incubators, plate readers) and scripting or programming for automation (e.g., Python) Domain Knowledge Strong understanding of aseptic technique, sterile workflows, and biological lab constraintsExperience with bioreactors, perfusion systems, or fluidics is a strong plusKnowledge of DOE, statistical process analysis, and scale-up / tech transfer methods Collaborative & Leadership Skills Comfortable working across disciplines in a small, dynamic teamStrong problem-solving and hands-on abilities at the bench and on the platformAbility to manage time effectively in a resource-constrained environmentExcellent written and verbal communication skills Preferred QualificationsEducational Background BS, MS, or PhD in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or related discipline Specific Experience Prior work in a startup, biotech startup, or cell therapy process developmentExperience with GMP, FDA, or ISO 13485 process and design control environmentsDemonstrated ability to take a process from bench protocol to automated, validated deploymentParticipation in scientific or engineering forums, competitions, or open-source contributions What We OfferCompensation Package Competitive early-stage salary with substantial equity participationRegular compensation reviews as the company grows and funding milestones are achieved Professional Opportunity Full-time permanent position from day oneGround-floor opportunity to shape the process and automation backbone of a breakthrough biotech platformWork at the intersection of AI, software, sequencing, automation, and regenerative medicineDeep collaboration with a world-class scientific and engineering teamBuild a hyper growth start-up from the ground up Growth Environment Entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment with significant autonomyDirect reporting to the CEO and close collaboration with the scientific co-foundersOpportunity to build a core process engineering function from the ground upExposure to leading-edge iPSC technology and regenerative therapeutics