Co-Op, Automated Systems Engineer

Lila Sciences • Cambridge, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Lila Sciences is seeking a hands-on engineering co-op to help build and test automated systems used in laboratory workflows. The co-op will work on-site on the lab floor, integrating instruments and troubleshooting systems running live experiments. The role works alongside engineers and scientists on deployed workcells, reports to a senior manager on the Automated Systems Engineering team, and is paired with a day-to-day mentor. The co-op is expected to take ownership of a meaningful part of a system and learn how scientific objectives are translated into working hardware and technical requirements. The role also offers exposure to cross-functional interface coordination and to how automated experiments generate structured data for AI-driven experimental design, as well as hands-on experience with technologies such as machine vision, advanced sensors, and automated scheduling software.

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ by combining advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments in an operating system for science intended to execute the scientific method autonomously. Its stated areas of impact include medicine, materials, and energy. The company describes its values as truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, and states its commitment to equal employment opportunity.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Biomedical, Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, or Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, or a related field.
• Available for a full-time co-op term, typically 4 to 6 months, on-site in Cambridge.
• Working knowledge of Python through coursework, projects, or prior internships.
• Curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to ask questions and work through unfamiliar problems.
• Clear communication and comfort working with people across different technical backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

• Wet lab exposure through coursework, undergraduate research, or a prior role involving pipetting, sample handling, or assay work.
• Familiarity with CAD and some experience with rapid prototyping or 3D printing.
• Experience with automated liquid handlers (Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons) or robotic arms.
• Coursework or project experience with control systems, PID loops, or microcontrollers.
• Prior robotics competition, research lab, or iGEM-style team experience.

Responsibilities

• Support cross-functional requirements gathering and project documentation using established team templates and execution guidelines.
• Assist in converting manual scientific protocols into automation concept designs through process mapping, step timing, and identification of automation candidates.
• Research new instruments and technologies and help evaluate their physical integration capability and fit with scientific workflows.
• Contribute to concept design documentation, system architecture diagrams, and interface definitions for workcell- and instrument-level projects.
• Maintain and update the federated factory layout model, producing layout drawings and 3D models that account for robotics envelopes, human ergonomics, and hazard zones.
• Support feasibility assessments for proposed automation opportunities.
• Help document lab automation best practices and lessons learned.
• Integrate instruments and troubleshoot systems running live experiments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern