Liquid Handling Automation Engineer

HighRes•Beverly, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

HighRes is a Beverly, Massachusetts–based life sciences lab automation company that partners with biotech, pharma, and research organizations to implement intelligent laboratory workflows, combining hardware, software, and services to make scientific work more efficient and reproducible. Its platform is focused on automating and orchestrating lab operations—from liquid handling and robotic systems to workflow software such as Cellario—supporting use cases like drug discovery, genomics, and other high-throughput research. As a Liquid Handling Automation Engineer, you will be part of the Automation Engineering team at our headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts. In this dynamic role, you'll ensure our customers achieve success with Prime through hands-on mechanical setup, system integration, application development, and customer enablement. You'll translate customer workflows into automated solutions, validate system performance, and serve as a technical expert throughout the customer journey—from initial deployment through ongoing support. Your contributions will play a vital role in the success of our customers and in our growth as a team and organization. This position is demanding and rewarding, with significant scope for role expansion and growth. This role requires domestic and some international travel that can reach up to 40% per year for both local and overnight trips.

Requirements

B.S. degree in Life Sciences or Computer Science, preferably in Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, or Robotics or similar experience
Experience with automated liquid handlers (Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent, etc.)
Strong oral and written communication skills with ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly
Basic proficiency with object-oriented programming languages with an emphasis on C# and Python
Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to overcome unforeseen challenges quickly and effectively
Valid driver's license, passport for domestic and international travel, personal transportation, and flexibility in working hours with ability to travel up to 40%
Able to lift 30+ pounds and perform hands-on mechanical work
Desire to make a difference and commitment to customer success

Nice To Haves

Experience programming automated laboratory scientific equipment in high throughput screening, compound management, drug discovery, or research automation settings
Experience working in a laboratory environment with understanding of scientific workflows
Prior experience with mechanical setup or maintenance of laboratory instrumentation
Experience with lab scheduling software for automated systems
Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary groups and build strong professional relationships

Responsibilities

Perform mechanical setup and configuration of Prime systems, ensuring proper assembly, calibration, and operational readiness
Integrate Prime into larger HighRes automated systems, coordinating with other instrumentation and workflow requirements
Conduct comprehensive testing of robotic components and liquid handling performance to validate system functionality
Lead acceptance testing with customers, demonstrating system capabilities and ensuring performance specifications are met
Translate customer manual workflows into automated protocols using Prime's liquid handling software
Develop, program, and verify application-specific protocols by interpreting customer procedures and requirements
Optimize liquid handling performance through systematic testing and refinement of protocols
Validate automated applications to ensure accuracy, precision, and repeatability for customer workflows
Partner with customers to enable their success when using Prime in daily operations
Deliver basic and advanced software and hardware training to customers and internal team members
Provide ongoing technical support and troubleshooting for protocols and instrumentation
Own customer projects from initial installation through site acceptance testing, ensuring a smooth transition to customer support and production use
Drive process development and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance and customer experience
Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation, including customer training materials and internal process guides
Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Product Development, and Customer Support
Apply problem-solving skills to work through technical challenges and overcome roadblocks in customer deployments
Maintain professional relationships with customers and colleagues, serving as a trusted technical advisor