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 that run laboratory workflows. Reporting to a senior manager on the Automated Systems Engineering team and paired with a day-to-day mentor, the co-op will work with engineers and scientists on workcells being deployed. This is a lab-floor role involving integration of instruments and troubleshooting systems that run live experiments. The co-op is expected to own a meaningful piece of a system and learn how scientific goals translate into working hardware.

The role provides exposure to translating scientific objectives into scoped technical requirements, coordinating interfaces across science, hardware, controls, and software teams, and generating structured, high-quality data from automated experiments for AI-driven experimental design. The co-op will also encounter emerging laboratory technologies, including machine vision, advanced sensors, and automated scheduling software.

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 skills 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.
• Help convert 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 laboratory 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
• Education Level: No Education Listed