Sr Automation Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Automation Engineer within the Platform group will join a tight-knit and cross-functional team of scientists and engineers who are tasked with developing a scalable and robust platform upon which the next generation of Natera clinical assays will be based. They will contribute to the design and development of fully hands-off automated systems and workcells, aid in translating manual molecular biology assays to liquid handling systems, and work to integrate a variety of in-house and off-the-shelf software systems. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about the application of robotics to biology, believes that laboratory automation is more than just the walk-up application of liquid handlers, and most of all is excited about being at the forefront of clinical testing and having their work used in the clinical care of millions of patients.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Design, develop, and build systems that integrate software, automation, and biology into a robust and scalable clinical genomics assay platform.

• Work with scientists at the assay prototype stage to ensure that chemistry and laboratory hardware are optimally designed.

• Work closely with internal software development teams to ensure the seamless integration of LIMS with automation software

• Interface with external vendors to design custom hardware solutions and integrate external software.

• Lay the foundation and architecture for fully-automated laboratory systems at Natera.

• Write documentation and SOPs, and train engineers on the development, maintenance, troubleshooting of hardware and software systems.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS or MS in Biomedical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering (or similar field).

• 5 or more years of full-time experience in automation and systems development for the life science industry.

• Demonstrated track record of shipping complex automation projects in production.

• History of development and/or verification and validation for a molecular screening or diagnostic product a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to integrate a variety of instruments, such as liquid handlers, plate readers, and plate-handling robotics.

• Software development experience, or minimally familiar with software development practices.

• Excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills.

• Comfortable working with a variety of internal teams, and managing relationships with external contractors.

• Experience in programming and operating liquid handlers. (Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, etc)

• Experience working with LIMS systems is a plus.

• Strong project management skills, organizational skills, and written and verbal communication skills.