Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer
San Diego Stealth Startup · San Diego, California, United States
Location: San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time, Onsite
Hiring Range Salary: $131,000 - $140,000 + Equity & Bonus
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer to own the design, scripting, deployment, and ongoing support of Hamilton VENUS liquid-handling automation across core laboratory workflows.
This is a hands-on, platform-expert role supporting an accelerated laboratory launch. The successful candidate will bring Hamilton VENUS expertise from day one and serve as a senior technical authority for laboratory automation.
Responsibilities:
- Design, script, test, optimize, and deploy Hamilton VENUS methods supporting library preparation, extraction, and sample-processing workflows.
- Configure deck layouts, labware definitions, liquid classes, pipetting parameters, tip strategies, and exception/error-handling logic.
- Translate molecular biology protocols into reliable, reproducible, and scalable automated workflows.
- Build and maintain standardized deck configurations, reusable method components, labware libraries, and liquid-class standards.
- Integrate Hamilton platforms with peripheral instrumentation, including thermal cyclers, plate sealers/peelers, barcode readers, robotic arms, and other laboratory devices.
- Serve as the senior escalation point for method failures, instrument faults, and liquid-handling performance issues; perform root-cause analysis and implement corrective solutions.
- Partner with R&D, Lab Operations, and Quality on IQ/OQ/PQ, method validation, change control, and production releases.
- Maintain method documentation, version histories, validation records, and technical specifications.
- Partner with LIMS and Software Engineering to ensure sample manifests, run logs, plate maps, and sample-level data integrate reliably with laboratory systems.
- Establish automation development, scripting, testing, and documentation standards and review methods prior to production deployment.
- Mentor engineers and laboratory partners on Hamilton VENUS capabilities, troubleshooting, and automation best practices.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with scientists, engineers, Quality, and Lab Operations to support laboratory readiness, workflow improvements, and future automation initiatives.
Qualifications:
- BS with 5+ years, MA with 3+ years or PhD with experience in life sciences, engineering or computer science.
- Deep Hamilton VENUS expertise required from day one, including method scripting, deck design, liquid-class development, pipetting optimization, and troubleshooting.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience developing, deploying, and supporting laboratory automation using Hamilton STAR, STARlet, Vantage, or similar platforms.
- Strong understanding of molecular biology and laboratory workflows, including library preparation, extraction, and sample processing.
- Experience integrating liquid handlers with third-party laboratory instrumentation and peripheral devices.
- Familiarity with validation, documentation, and change-control requirements within CLIA/CAP, GxP, or similarly regulated environments.
- Strong troubleshooting, root-cause-analysis, and independent technical decision-making capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment and independently drive complex automation issues through resolution.
Additional Qualifications:
- Experience with additional automation platforms such as Agilent Bravo or Tecan Fluent.
- Programming or scripting experience with Python, C#, Java, or similar languages.
- Experience integrating laboratory automation with LIMS/LIS and laboratory informatics systems.
- Experience supporting complex, high-throughput laboratory automation environments.
We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.