Staff Engineer, Advanced Automation & Systems Integration

Description

The company's Genetic Sciences Division is building automated, connected and AI-enabled workflows for the next generation of genetic-analysis platforms.

The team is looking for a Staff Engineer to develop and show new lab automation capabilities by linking division instruments and consumables with robots, liquid handlers, workflow software and data systems, so that advanced ideas become reusable platform features.

You will build working systems, test complete workflows, and work with customers and automation partners on future sample-to-answer and Lab-of-the-Future solutions.

Future genetic-analysis platforms will run in more automated and intelligent labs. This role turns automation, robotics and AI concepts into validated capabilities for division products, customer workflows and Lab-of-the-Future work.

Responsibilities

• Shape automation concepts that combine instruments, consumables, assays, robotics, software and data.
• Turn customer needs and new scientific workflows into requirements and system concepts.
• Build prototypes and proof-of-concept systems that tackle the biggest technical unknowns.
• Lead trade studies covering throughput, flexibility, walk-away time, usability, reliability and cost.
• Assess concepts for customer value, technical feasibility, scalability and product potential.
• Keep automation concepts aligned with the division's system architecture and reusable platform foundations.
• Connect division instruments and consumables to robots, liquid handlers, conveyors and other lab equipment.
• Define the physical, mechanical, electrical, communications, software and safety interfaces.
• Develop instrument-control APIs, device drivers, protocols and workflow abstractions.
• Build solutions for scheduling, synchronization, sample handling, traceability and error recovery.
• Troubleshoot problems that span robotics, instruments, firmware, software, networks and scientific workflows.
• Design integration patterns that can be reused across products, customers and automation platforms.
• Build and run automated workflows for biopharma and genomic applications.
• Write test plans covering normal operation, edge cases, recovery and long unattended runs.
• Measure throughput, reliability, sample integrity, contamination control and data traceability.
• Demonstrate working systems to customers, partners and internal stakeholders.
• Support customer evaluations, co-development work and early technology pilots.
• Convert test results and user feedback into technical requirements and product recommendations.
• Develop sample-to-answer and multi-instrument workflow capabilities.
• Build Lab-in-the-Loop concepts that use experimental data and real-time feedback to adapt or optimize workflows.
• Apply AI to experiment planning, scheduling, anomaly detection, recovery and workflow optimization.
• Use AI-assisted engineering to speed up interface development, test generation, failure analysis and documentation.
• Define the data, compute and integration needs of intelligent automation.
• Make sure AI-enabled concepts include suitable validation, traceability, cybersecurity and human oversight.
• Build technical relationships with robotics, liquid-handling, automation-software and integration companies.
• Track leading automation vendors, platforms and interface standards.
• Understand partner architectures, development limits, commercial needs and support models.
• Assess partners for compatibility, scalability, reliability and strategic value.
• Lead joint architecture, integration, testing and technical problem-solving with partners.
• Find chances for co-development or productized partner solutions.
• Work with Advanced Technology, System Architecture and product teams to mature successful concepts.
• Address productization issues involving reliability, cost, manufacturability, serviceability and quality.
• Create reusable interface standards, simulators, test tools and integration documentation.
• Package prototypes, data, requirements and technical learning for handover to product teams.
• Support early product integration and resolve serious transition risks.
• Mentor engineers on automation architecture and cross-disciplinary integration.

Requirements

• A bachelor's or advanced degree in systems, electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, software or biomedical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Substantial experience integrating instruments with robotics, liquid handlers or laboratory automation.
• A track record of building, testing and demonstrating automated scientific workflows.
• Experience working with automation vendors, technology partners and external customers.
• Experience taking concepts from feasibility through verification or product transition.
• Experience leading technical work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of robotics, laboratory automation, liquid handling and instrument integration.
• Experience with mechanical and electrical interfaces, device-control APIs, communications and workflow orchestration.
• Experience with scheduling, error recovery, safety, sample handling and traceability.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, C, Java or a comparable language.
• Experience with automated testing, simulation, system diagnostics and root-cause analysis.
• Understanding of genomic workflows used in biopharma, including sample preparation and nucleic-acid analysis.
• Familiarity with leading automation vendors and partner ecosystems.
• Practical understanding of AI and machine learning applied to automation, experimentation and intelligent control.
• You are a hands-on builder who turns unclear workflow needs into working systems.
• You understand customer science as well as automation technology.
• You design for reusable platforms rather than one-off demonstrations.
• You build strong working relationships with customers, partners and internal teams.
• You test assumptions quickly and raise risks early.
• You influence without formal authority and mentor other engineers.
• You balance experimentation and speed with reliability and product viability.

Conditions

Standard Monday to Friday schedule.

Laboratory and office setting.

The estimated salary range for this California-based position is $135,900.00, $170,000.00.

The role may also be eligible for a variable annual bonus based on company, team and/or individual performance, under company policy.

Benefits

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, plus a national vision plan with health incentive programs.
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
• At least 120 hours of paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays a year, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability, under company policy.
• Retirement and savings options, including a competitive 401(k) plan for U.S. employees.
• An Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) letting eligible employees buy company stock at a discount.