Sr. Automation Engineer

Location: Lewisville, TX
Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pay range: $78,700+ per year. Salary offers are based on relevant skills, training, experience, education, certifications, market, and organizational factors. Successful candidates may be eligible for annual performance bonus compensation.

Benefits

• Day 1 Medical, supplemental health, dental & vision for full-time employees (30+ hours)
• Best-in-class well-being programs:
  • Annual, no-cost health assessment program
  • Blueprint for Wellness®
  • healthyMINDS mental health program
• Vacation and Health/Flex Time
• 6 Holidays plus 1 "MyDay" off
• FinFit financial coaching and services
• 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth IRA with company match up to 5% after 12 months of service
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Life and disability insurance, plus buy-up option
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Annual incentive plans
• Matching gifts program
• Education assistance through MyQuest for Education
• Career advancement opportunities

About the Role

The Lead Automation Engineer is responsible for the proper operation, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance (PM) of advanced equipment and automation systems in the laboratory. This role requires knowledge of automation and the ability to support associated equipment (e.g., Agilent Technology Bravo workstations, Formulatrix Tempest, BioNex Nanodrop, Tecan EvoWare and Fluent, and Hamilton Microlab Star). The Lead Automation Engineer works independently, sets priorities, and manages multiple projects simultaneously, solving equipment problems efficiently while keeping lab management and bench supervisors informed of equipment needs and production impact.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the operation, preventive maintenance, and repair of advanced automated equipment supporting continuous, 24/7 operations.
• Strong ability with software testing and validation.
• Assess priority of equipment repair or maintenance.
• Maintain inventory of all service parts and materials in a cost-efficient manner.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and detailed records on all laboratory instrumentation, including service/repair reports, calibrations, preventive maintenance, and current operational status.
• Submit status reports to the Biomedical Supervisor and Laboratory Manager on a regular schedule; ensure priorities of the integrated system are fully supported (e.g., budgeting, setting goals, maintaining parts inventory, evaluating progress).
• Adhere to all company and industry safety procedures (electrical, electronic, and biological) while performing job duties.
• Act as a liaison to other service engineers or vendor representatives.
• Work with vendors to attend advanced Biomedical training courses.

Requirements

Work Experience

• Required: Demonstrated ability to service and support complex automation, track systems, and/or robotic arms. Investigates defects or errors in technology and develops tests and simulations to ensure systems work as intended.
• Preferred: Experience with liquid handling instruments, including script/method development. Familiarity with highly regulated environments (e.g., CAP, CLIA, ISO15189).

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Manual dexterity adequate to handle small tools requiring intricate manipulations in confined areas.
• Able to react to auditory warnings and messages.
• Able to differentiate between color-coded wires and interpret visual readouts; must pass color blindness screening.
• Frequently lifts and carries objects weighing 1 to 10 pounds; occasionally lifts and carries objects weighing 11 to 25 pounds; seldom lifts and carries objects weighing 26 to 50 pounds. Objects exceeding 50 pounds require assistance.
• Able to sit or stand for long periods; requires long hours of eye and hand coordination.

Knowledge

• Extensive knowledge of troubleshooting, PM, and/or calibration requirements.
• Experience with service documentation systems (e.g., Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement preventive maintenance programs to minimize equipment downtime and maximize lab instrument availability.
• Knowledge of robotics, process automation, electrical principles, and computer-aided design.
• Basic knowledge of scheduler software programming and programming languages (e.g., Java, C#, Python).
• Ability to identify opportunities to increase efficiency with automation.

Skills

• Interacts professionally and courteously with all levels of laboratory personnel.
• Strong computer skills (e.g., word processing using Windows-based software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment while maintaining production and quality standards.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills; independent thinker.
• Able to work independently and on a team.
• Proficient in reading mechanical drawings and electrical schematics to isolate problems and determine root cause.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong project management skills.

Qualifications

Education

• Required:
  • Associate Degree (AS/two-year cert) with at least 6 years’ experience servicing automation systems, or
  • Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BS) or above in automation, computer science, or engineering from an accredited college with at least 4 years’ experience servicing automation systems, or
  • High school diploma with a minimum of ten (10) years of automation systems experience.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Biomedical Engineering or related technical fields.

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) (Preferred).