Sr. Automation Engineer
About The Position
ModernaTX, Inc. seeks a Senior Automation Engineer for its Cambridge, Massachusetts location. This role involves leading the development of automated laboratory protocols and workflows, particularly by programming and optimizing liquid handling robots using Hamilton Venus software for high-throughput screening and assay development. The engineer will collaborate with external vendors to design and procure lab automation instruments, manage Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and ensure timely delivery, installation, and compliance with technical and operational requirements. The position also entails overseeing a team of automation engineers responsible for designing, building, and maintaining liquid handling automation systems. Key responsibilities include providing critical automation support for high-throughput screening, high-throughput assay development, sample management, and lab automation solutions. The Senior Automation Engineer will provide technical leadership by mentoring junior automation engineers and guiding cross-functional teams in the execution of automation projects on lean timelines. Additionally, they will assist scientists with the operation of automation platforms, provide error-recovery support as needed, and communicate project progress and technical concepts to stakeholders. Coordination with external partners or vendors to implement new technologies and ensure project requirements are met is also a part of the role. The engineer will train users on new methods and protocols of system functionality capabilities to automate analytical processes using Hamilton and other platforms. Furthermore, they will write, customize, and maintain automation scripting code and integrate Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to enable seamless data flow across high-throughput processes. Implementing robust version control and issue tracking practices for automation code and equipment, utilizing platforms such as GitHub/Bitbucket for code management and Jira for tracking system issues, is crucial to ensure traceability of changes and continuous improvement in system performance.
Requirements
- Minimum of a Master’s degree, or foreign equivalent, in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Pharmaceutical Science, or related field
- Three (3) years of experience as a Scientist, Automation Engineer, Associate Engineer, Research Associate, or related position involving lab process automation
- Three (3) years of experience must include: Hamilton Venus Software Programming
- Three (3) years of experience must include: High-Throughput Laboratory Automation
- Three (3) years of experience must include: System Qualification
- Three (3) years of experience must include: Software Development & Version Control utilizing Jira, GitHub, and Bitbucket
- Three (3) years of experience must include: Data Integration for Automation Workflows
- Experience with: Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for automation workflows
- Experience with: Integrated Laboratory Robotics
- Experience with: Reading and analyzing scientific assay data
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of automated laboratory protocols and workflows to replace manual processes, particularly by programming and optimizing liquid handling robots (using Hamilton Venus software) for high-throughput screening and assay development.
- Collaborate with external vendors to design and procure lab automation instruments, manage Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and ensure timely delivery, installation, and compliance with technical and operational requirements.
- Oversee team of automation engineers responsible for designing, building, and maintaining liquid handling automation systems.
- Provide critical automation support for high-throughput screening, high-throughput assay development, sample management, and lab automation solutions.
- Provide technical leadership by mentoring junior automation engineers and guiding cross-functional teams in the execution of automation projects on lean timelines.
- Assist scientists with operation of automation platforms.
- Provide error-recovery support as needed.
- Communicate project progress and technical concepts to stakeholders, and coordinate with external partners or vendors to implement new technologies and ensure project requirements are met.
- Train users on new methods and protocols of system functionality capabilities to automate analytical processes using Hamilton and other platforms.
- Write, customize, and maintain automation scripting code and integrate Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) to enable seamless data flow across high-throughput processes.
- Implement robust version control and issue tracking practices for automation code and equipment, utilizing platforms such as GitHub/Bitbucket for code management and Jira for tracking system issues, to ensure traceability of changes and continuous improvement in system performance.
Benefits
- Best-in-class healthcare coverage, plus voluntary benefit programs to support your unique needs
- A holistic approach to well-being, with access to fitness, mindfulness, and mental health support
- Family planning benefits, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy support
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and a discretionary year-end shutdown
- Savings and investment opportunities to help you plan for the future
- Location-specific perks and extras
- The successful candidate may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, other incentive compensation, or equity award, subject to company plan eligibility criteria and individual performance
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Number of Employees
1,001-5,000 employees
