Automation and Robotics Engineer
About The Position
The Automation and Robotics Engineer supports the physical execution layer of the future discovery automation environment. The role helps ensure that equipment, robots, transfer points, sensors, guards, cables, utilities, and service envelopes are correctly prepared, tested, documented, and maintained so that laboratory automation scientists can implement validated scientific workflows reliably. The Engineer supports the design, testing, deployment, documentation, and sustainment of automated laboratory and robotic systems that enable integrated discovery automation workcells. The position focuses on physical automation fundamentals including: robotics, motion, mechanical interfaces, equipment readiness, safe operation, service access, first-line troubleshooting, and basic controls support under direct to moderate supervision. This role is intentionally complementary to the Associate Laboratory Automation Scientist. While the scientist supports method execution, sample state, consumable readiness, and scientific data capture; the engineer supports physical transfer, machine behavior, safety, serviceability, and equipment readiness. Together, the two roles reduce basic failure modes early and build the operational rigor required for integrated workcells.
Requirements
- A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, Robotics, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field is required.
- 1+ years of relevant experience in robotics, automation, mechatronics, laboratory equipment, or academic/internship project experience.
- Demonstrated understanding of robotics, automation, electromechanical systems, controls hardware, sensors, actuators, and instrumentation appropriate to the level of the role.
- Ability to work with laboratory automation scientists to translate scientific workflow constraints into safe, maintainable, and physically executable machinery, interfaces, and workcell layouts.
- Working knowledge of technical documentation, drawings, equipment lists, interface notes, FAT/SAT/UAT records, FMEA inputs, punch lists, and change summaries.
- Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, robotic, control, safety, communication, and instrument interface issues.
- Awareness of EHS, biosafety, contamination control, service access, guard/interlock concepts, and operational readiness expectations in a research laboratory or regulated environment.
Nice To Haves
- Exposure to PLCs, robot controllers, industrial networks, CAD, simulation, Python, C++, machine vision, or vendor-specific configuration tools.
- Exposure to regulated, quality driven, GMP, GLP, GCLP, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or research laboratory environments.
- Familiarity with liquid handlers, AMRs, cobots, conveyors, barcode readers, sensors, safety devices, automated storage, or plate/tube handling systems.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with configuration, assembly, testing, and deployment of automated laboratory modules, robotic devices, transfer stations, labware nests, grippers, fixtures, cable trays, guards, and workcell peripherals.
- Supporting development and review of basic engineering documentation such as layouts, equipment lists, utility needs, interface notes, wiring or pneumatic references, test records, commissioning checklists, and change summaries.
- Participating in FAT, SAT, UAT, installation checks, and physical transfer testing by completing defined test steps, capturing objective observations, and documenting deviations or open items.
- Supporting verification that equipment is accessible for operation, calibration, cleaning, preventative maintenance, intervention, and normal laboratory use without compromising safety or sample integrity.
- Performing initial troubleshooting of mechanical, robotic, sensor, actuator, transfer, barcode presentation, basic control, and device communication issues using defined procedures and escalation pathways.
- Documenting physical faults, recovery actions, recurring equipment issues, user observations, and unresolved concerns clearly for senior engineers, laboratory automation scientists, vendors, and maintainers.
- Supporting small improvements in equipment layout, cable management, guarding, operator access, maintenance access, consumable staging, user prompts, and physical transfer reliability.
- Collecting observations on equipment uptime, recurring interventions, service needs, and physical bottlenecks to support later engineering analysis.
- Applying basic robot safety, laboratory safety, EHS, biosafety, utility, waste, guarding, interlock, and contamination-control expectations during testing and support activities.
- Supporting checks related to emergency stops, guarding, interlocks, service clearances, utilities, safe access, and physical separation between humans, robots, and moving labware.
- Working with laboratory automation scientists to understand how physical equipment behavior affects scientific workflow execution, sample identity, labware integrity, timing, and data generation.
- Advancing equipment, safety, facility, or compliance concerns early when physical design or handling behavior may compromise reliable automated execution.
- Support technology evaluations, proof-of-concept studies, design reviews, and vendor demonstrations for future automation and robotics capabilities.
- Contribute to engineering standards, interface templates, safety review practices, maintenance guidelines, and technical playbooks.
- Support audit, inspection, or quality documentation requests where automated systems intersect with regulated or quality driven workflows.
- Participate in lessons learned and continuous improvement activities to improve future automation delivery.
Benefits
- Inclusive work environment
- Respect for diversity and dignity
- Recognition of merit
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
