Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

Axle • Bethesda, MD

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Automation Engineer programs, integrates, and maintains robots for the autonomous laboratory in Bethesda, beginning with the BAB400, to enable biological experiments to run reliably without a person at the bench. The role builds the software layer that turns robot hardware into orchestrated, repeatable workflows using the MADSci framework from Argonne National Laboratory. It also develops digital twins of robots and workcells to plan, test, and validate protocols before they run on physical equipment.

The position combines hands-on robotics work in a biological laboratory with production-quality software development. It works closely with IDSS data engineers, bioinformaticians, and biologists who define protocols. The role also involves staff training, technical documentation, reliability and safety practices, and evaluating automation tools.

Requirements

• Several years of hands-on experience with laboratory robotics or comparable automation, including installing, programming, calibrating, and troubleshooting robotic arms, liquid handlers, plate handlers, or workcells.
• Experience with laboratory robot software, including vendor APIs and SDKs, device drivers, and orchestration or scheduling software.
• Some experience with robotics in a biological laboratory, such as cell culture, molecular biology, or assay automation, and comfort working around biological materials under biosafety practices.
• Strong Python skills, including asynchronous or service-style code, REST APIs, and working with hardware or network protocols such as serial, TCP/IP, or OPC UA.
• Experience with Git, testing, code review, and Docker for deploying software next to hardware.
• Ability to interpret biological protocols and turn their requirements into reliable automated workflows.
• Strong communication skills and ability to train laboratory staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain NIH/HHS security clearance and meet federal contractor suitability requirements.
• A degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related science is common; equivalent practical experience is fully acceptable.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience with MADSci or similar laboratory orchestration frameworks, such as PyLabRobot, Opentrons tooling, or ROS-based systems.
• Experience with simulation platforms such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MoveIt, or similar robot simulators.
• Experience with stem cell, iPSC, organoid, or tissue engineering laboratories.
• Experience with self-driving or autonomous laboratories, including closed-loop experiments driven by machine learning or optimization.
• Familiarity with ROS 2, robot kinematics, and computer vision for labware or sample detection.
• Experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and message-based architectures such as MQTT or Redis.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, metadata standards, and FAIR data principles.
• Experience with imaging instruments and plate-based assays.
• Experience building or using simulation or digital-twin models of robotic systems, or a clear record of learning a new simulator quickly.

Responsibilities

• Program, calibrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots, including arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, and incubator and imaging interfaces.
• Deploy MADSci modules, nodes, and workcell definitions so robots and instruments can be commanded, monitored, and scheduled through a common interface; contribute fixes and modules to the framework where appropriate.
• Translate biological protocols, including cell culture, iPSC maintenance, passaging, media exchange, imaging, and sampling, into automated workflows with sequencing, timing, resource tracking, and failure recovery.
• Connect robot and instrument outputs to IDSS data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems so runs are logged, traceable, and reusable.
• Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, and monitoring; troubleshoot hardware and software faults; and document root causes and fixes.
• Implement interlocks and safe-state behavior, and follow laboratory, biosafety, and NIH/HHS security requirements.
• Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks, and prepare technical assessments for IDSS leadership.
• Train laboratory staff to operate and recover the system, and write standard operating procedures and technical documentation.

Benefits

• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k) match up to 5%
• Educational benefits for career growth
• Employee referral bonus
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare (FSA), dependent care (DCAP), and transportation (TRN)
• Parking reimbursement account (PRK)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed