Senior Automation Engineer
About The Position
The Opportunity At insitro, we aim to bring better drugs faster to the patients who can benefit most, through machine learning and data at scale. Our platform approach pushes us to build robust, reusable and scalable capabilities allowing for a continuous flywheel of discovery. As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will collaborate with scientists, software engineers, and microscopy engineers to build and develop high quality automated systems and protocols. You will be a member of the Automation team and report to the Director, Process Engineering. This is an onsite role expected to be in the office at least 4 days/week in our South San Francisco Headquarters. You will join an exciting biotech startup that has long-term stability due to significant funding, but that is still very much in formation. You will have ample opportunities for growth and influence. You will work with a diverse team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro's culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Software or Bioengineering, or Physics, Chemistry or Biology
- B.S, with 8+ years, M.S with 6+ years, or Ph.D. with 3+ years of professional experience working with automation hardware
- Proficiency in automation and systems development/integration within the life sciences industry, specifically with robotics and liquid handling platforms
- Proficiency in software programming (Python, SQL, and/or C#) and data handling (including database work) is highly preferred
- You understand existing capabilities of the lab automation industry and have a track record showing technical depth in automation systems of varying scale
- You are comfortable completing work independently on complex projects and can also give guidance to others on daily work
- You have experience in managing the relationship to other engineering functions (eg. third party service providers and vendors or internal mechanical or software engineering teams)
- You have experience automating scientific workflows (ex. Cell Culture, Genomic Screening or DNA-encoded Library processes)
Responsibilities
- Embed with folks within the scientific teams to define workflows, develop process specific QC metrics, and drive the translation of workflows onto automation systems
- Design, develop and qualify new workcells and liquid handling protocols to enable new platform capabilities
- Collaborate closely with the LIMS team to develop and implement automated data capture and LIMS integration to ensure seamless data flow from the robot to our AI/ML pipelines.
- Work with the Systems Engineering team to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, software, and system integration issues to minimize equipment downtime and maintain operational continuity
- Collaborate with folks from our machine learning, software engineering and scientific groups to solve questions ranging from technology onboarding, minimizing batch effects, or process improvements
- Identify opportunities in how we develop, test and deploy automation solutions more efficiently
- Work with automation leadership to create a census of automation, its current usage, and develop and implement a plan for areas of retirement, growth, or re-deployment.
Benefits
- Annual Performance Bonus Plan
- Equity Incentive Plan
- 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
- Open, flexible vacation policy
- Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
- Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
- New hire stipend for home office setup
- Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
- Access to free onsite baristas and daily lunch for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
- Access to a free commuter bus network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
