Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer — Biologics Engineering

AstraZeneca•Gaithersburg, MD

3d•$124,000 - $171,000

About The Position

Biologics Engineering (BE), part of Oncology R&D, is integrating laboratory automation, advanced informatics, and AI to accelerate biologics discovery workflows, improve data quality, and enable smarter scientific decision-making. The Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer will help advance this effort by embedding laboratory automation and robotics into workflows and shaping biologics discovery science. The role leads the design, integration, and optimization of robotics, high-throughput systems, and associated data workflows across BE. It develops robust, scalable, and operationally sustainable platforms that connect instruments, workflow control, data systems, and labware, and takes ownership of their reliability and long-term performance. Working in a matrix organization, the role partners with scientists to understand assay goals, advise on automation approaches, and translate scientific requirements into fit-for-purpose solutions. It requires expertise in laboratory automation, scripting, and liquid handling, alongside an understanding of the science and of how equipment capabilities and design choices affect data quality and reproducibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or a related field, with 4 or more years of relevant industry experience.
Experience integrating automation with R&D bench science in a biologics, drug discovery, or related life sciences setting.
Deep hands-on experience with diverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and/or high-throughput analytical technologies.
Practical experience with liquid class development and labware definition, evaluation, or optimization.
Expertise in automation scheduling software and advanced programming knowledge of liquid handler platforms, such as Hamilton, Labcyte, or Agilent, including creating, modifying, and troubleshooting robotics and automation scripts.
Strong understanding of the science underlying laboratory workflows and assays, and of how equipment capabilities and limitations affect automation design and data quality.
Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
Demonstrated track record of taking initiative and driving durable improvements to systems, workflows, or team practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience implementing automation with orchestration platforms such as Green Button Go, Thermo Momentum, or Cellario.
Working knowledge of Python, C#, or similar languages.
Practical experience with database connectivity, data management, and extracting data from ASCII/delimited files to support automation-related informatics integration and data-driven science.
Track record of delivering automation solutions in a biologics discovery setting and influencing scientific direction and technical strategy in automation-related projects.

Responsibilities

Deliver robust, scalable automation platforms integrating high-throughput, bench-scale, and related laboratory systems; partner with scientists to document and map workflows, capture assay requirements, and translate them into fit-for-purpose solutions.
Serve as the technical authority across automation platforms, scheduling software, and scripting environments; guide design decisions, resolve complex technical issues, and advise on how equipment capabilities and limitations affect data quality and scientific outcomes.
Own the reliability and continuous improvement of shared automation systems and workflows by identifying root causes, driving durable fixes, and improving platform performance.
Support the operation and troubleshooting of deployed automated workflows to sustain performance and rapidly resolve technical issues.
Train, mentor, or supervise junior engineers and scientists, and influence scientific thinking and project direction across the automation community and broader stakeholder network.