Laboratory Automation Lead

Laboratory Automation Lead

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
• Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
• Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD’s automation roadmap and investment decisions.
• Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
• Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years’ industry experience.
• Extensive experience programming at least one of the relevant liquid handlers on the market.
• Ability to understand end-user experience and design user focused software interfaces.
• Experience in integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
• Experience with the development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.

Technical Skills:

• Strong background in streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from the collection of requirements through to implementation and support.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills required to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be a hands-on team member.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MS Degree in a science or engineering field.
• Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues preferred.