Automation Engineer (Clinical Laboratory)

Caris Life Sciences • Phoenix, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Engineer will work with Senior Automation Engineers to propose, develop, test, and validate laboratory automation. Significant time will be spent working with liquid handlers. The Automation Engineer will take a project from conception to prototype to validation and deployment. This role will work with vendors, R&D, and Clinical teams to ensure automated solutions are robust, efficient, and easily adaptable. Projects can change quickly and frequently, flexibility in skillsets and focus is a must.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences or related field.
• Experience in laboratory automation role, equipment, R&D, or clinical laboratory roles (0-2 years).
• Exposure to liquid handler scripting (Tecan, Hamilton, Bravo, etc.).
• General understanding of liquid classes and their development and testing.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and self-initiative required to support several simultaneous automation projects.
• Strong experience engaging cross-functionally in a high-collaboration environment.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Extraordinary communication skills (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
• Exceptional project management and time management skills; ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to articulate proposed solutions and associated benefits across Stakeholders.
• Keen ability to conceptualize, analyze and implement new processes/process changes.
• Aptitude for learning new technologies and apply knowledge to both large and small scale automation.

Nice To Haves

• ASCP Certification.
• 2+ years working in CAP/CLIA/FDA regulated laboratory.
• Experience in a high throughput CAP/CLIA, ISO 13485/15189, GMP regulated environment.
• Familiar in industry standard laboratory automation platforms (liquid handlers, work cells, scheduling software, etc.) and other commonly used laboratory equipment.
• Experience with equipment functionality and validation testing.
• Software development experience in one or more languages (C#, Python, etc.).
• Experience encompassing method design and development as well as liquid class optimization.
• Experience working with SolidWorks or other modeling software.
• Experience with large scale automation.

Responsibilities

• Work with Senior Engineers to program and develop methods for liquid handlers, contributing to the design of efficient laboratory processes.
• Modify, develop, implement, and validate scripts/methods on liquid handlers.
• Develop/optimize/validate custom liquid classes to ensure proper volume transfer.
• Install, integrate, and maintain laboratory automation, hardware and software, including programming third-party automation systems.
• Stress test systems/methods to ensure robustness of method functionality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, participating in experiments, and performing system validations.
• Ensure instruments/methods are validated in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Author process documentation, conduct training, and support troubleshooting efforts.
• Utilize data-driven insights to improve existing automation platforms, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
• Own individual projects to enhance automation workflows, incorporating best practices in lab automation, data analysis, and process optimization.
• Provide solutions to optimize methods/workflows.
• Evaluate new technologies as appropriate.
• Drive other directives and initiatives, accepting additional responsibilities as assigned.
• Independently operate, troubleshoot, and optimize a range of lab instruments and automated platforms (liquid handlers, work cells, scheduling software, etc.).
• Contribute to software integration and testing methodologies.
• Develop validation protocols for automated workflows, perform risk assessments, and ensure quality control measures align with regulatory requirements.
• Assist in transitioning new automation platforms from development to production by defining stability metrics and validating performance.
• Review instrument data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and propose long-term solutions.
• Take ownership of individual project execution, manage tasks & timelines, and provide aid senior team members to elevate team capabilities.

Benefits

• Individual must successfully complete pre-employment process, which includes criminal background check, drug screening, credit check ( applicable for certain positions ) and reference verification.

What This Job Offers

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