Senior Robotics Automation Engineer

Job title: Senior Robotics Automation Engineer

About the Role The Senior Robotics Automation Engineer is a technical leader responsible for advancing the design, integration, optimization, and long-term operational strategy of robotic and automated laboratory systems within the Smart Research Laboratory. This role requires deep expertise in laboratory automation, engineering principles, scientific workflows, and biopharma research operations, with the ability to influence technical direction, guide cross-functional decision-making, and mentor less experienced engineers and scientists. The role requires regular on-site presence to support integrated robotics, instrumentation, and automation workcells.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, implementation, testing, optimization, and lifecycle management of complex robotic and automated laboratory workcells, including hardware, software, instrumentation, scheduling, and control systems.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for laboratory automation platforms, providing expert guidance on architecture, workflow design, equipment integration, scalability, and reliability.
• Partner with scientific, engineering, informatics, facilities, IT, and operations stakeholders to translate research needs into robust, scalable automated solutions that improve productivity, data quality, reproducibility, and throughput.
• Evaluate, integrate, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced laboratory automation systems (liquid handlers, dispensers, pipettors, plate movers, robotic arms, plate sealers/desealers, acoustic devices, readers, incubators, storage, etc.).
• Develop, review, and optimize automation methods using Momentum, Venus, InstinctS, and related automation APIs to ensure reliable, validated workflows.
• Provide senior-level oversight for method development, hardware integration testing, system validation, risk assessment, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Lead automation roadmap planning, technology assessments, vendor evaluations, and equipment acquisition decisions shaping the Smart Research Laboratory.
• Collaborate with vendors and stakeholders to implement advanced robotics capabilities, including motion planning, multi-axis actuation, control systems, autonomous mobile robotics, device communication, and emerging technologies.
• Guide the validation, deployment, and continuous improvement of Autonomous Mobile Robot systems and other automation platforms to ensure safe, reliable operation.
• Mentor junior automation engineers and cross-functional users with coaching, training, design reviews, and troubleshooting support.
• Establish and maintain high-quality documentation including system designs, integration plans, validation records, risk assessments, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting guides, and workflow specs.
• Lead complex problem-solving initiatives and continuous improvement to increase automation reliability and throughput.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, robotics, automation, computer science, life sciences or related field; Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred.
• 5-7 years hands-on experience designing, integrating, programming, validating, maintaining, and optimizing automated lab equipment or robotic systems in a research/biopharma environment.
• Prior experience in biopharma/pharmaceutical/biotech/drug discovery or advanced automation environment.
• Proven ability to lead technically complex automation projects end-to-end, including requirements gathering, vendor coordination, installation, integration, testing, validation, documentation, training, and handoff.
• Advanced experience with lab automation platforms and orchestration software (e.g., Hamilton Venus, Thermo Scientific Momentum, InstinctS).
• Strong knowledge of lab robotics, instrument communication, scheduling, APIs, mechanical/electrical integration, liquid handling, and workflow automation.

Nice to Have

• MS/PhD degree preferred.
• Experience with Hamilton Venus, Momentum, InstinctS plus other automation-control environments.
• Demonstrated leadership in automation initiatives and cross-functional collaboration.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary and benefits not disclosed in the posting.
• On-site role with opportunities for professional growth in a cutting-edge biopharma research environment.