Staff Automation Engineer

Guardant Health•Palo Alto, CA

2d•$160,500 - $220,700•Hybrid

About The Position

Guardant Health is a precision oncology company focused on improving cancer care through blood and tissue tests, real-world data, and AI analytics. The Staff Lab Automation Engineer participates in designing, building, and deploying integrated laboratory work cells for next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample and reagent processing. The role architects multi-instrument systems—including liquid handlers, robotic arms, and peripherals—from concept through validation. It engineers solutions that meet assay performance requirements while improving reliability, throughput, and cost, and provides technical mentorship in partnership with assay, operations, quality, and regulatory teams. The position programs, tests, troubleshoots, and optimizes work cells from requirements through validation and deployment; integrates automation equipment and develops laboratory automation interfaces with LIMS databases; and leads validation strategy and documentation standards in a regulated environment. It also transfers validated work cells into production with SOPs and training, evaluates automation technologies and vendors, and coordinates technical direction across internal teams and external integrators. The role is based within a hybrid work model for eligible onsite employees, subject to management and company policies. U.S. employees living within 50 miles of a Guardant facility are required onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Most work is performed in a desk or office environment, with possible exposure to high noise levels, fumes, and biohazard material in the laboratory. Extended sitting and occasional lifting of routine office supplies may be required.

Requirements

BS in engineering or science with 8+ years of related experience, MS with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years.
Track record delivering integrated, multi-instrument work cells from concept through deployment.
Hands-on experience with liquid handlers such as Hamilton STAR, Agilent Bravo, or Lynx, and robotic arms such as Brooks PreciseFlex.
Experience developing interfaces between laboratory automation and Laboratory Information Management (LIMS) databases.
Proficiency in C#, VB.NET, or Python; familiarity with XML and JSON.
Experience with validation and documentation in regulated environments such as IVD or LDT.
Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with scientific, engineering, operational, and regulatory disciplines.
Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.
Ability to critically evaluate and responsibly leverage AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience with NGS assays.
Experience with throughput modeling or simulation.

Responsibilities

Program, test, troubleshoot, and optimize work cells end to end, from requirements through validation and deployment.
Integrate and program liquid handlers, robotic arms, and peripherals into laboratory work cells.
Model throughput to identify bottlenecks and guide work-cell layout; own technical risk and FMEAs.
Evaluate new automation technologies and vendors.
Engineer solutions that meet assay performance requirements for precision, timing, temperature, and contamination control.
Lead validation strategy (IQ/OQ/PQ) and establish team documentation standards in a regulated environment.
Transfer validated work cells into production, including SOPs and training.
Partner with assay scientists to translate assay requirements into automated workflows.
Set technical direction and coordinate engineers and external integrators.
Mentor engineers up to Senior level.
Lead design reviews and report milestones and risks to leadership.
Demonstrate sound judgment when evaluating and responsibly using AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.