Staff Engineer, Advanced Automation & Systems Integration

Thermo Fisher Scientific • Pleasanton, CA

2d • $135,900 - $170,000

About The Position

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Genetic Sciences Division (GSD) is developing automated, connected and AI-enabled workflows for next-generation genetic-analysis platforms. The Staff Engineer in Advanced Automation & Systems Integration will develop and demonstrate laboratory automation capabilities by integrating GSD instruments and consumables with robots, liquid handlers, workflow software and data systems. The role turns advanced concepts into reusable platform capabilities and combines hands-on automation experience, systems thinking and understanding of genomic workflows in biopharma.

The engineer will build working systems, test complete workflows, collaborate with customers and automation partners, and help shape future sample-to-answer and Lab-of-the-Future solutions. The position advances concepts from feasibility through verification or product transition, working with Advanced Technology, System Architecture and product teams to mature successful capabilities. It also provides technical leadership and mentorship across multidisciplinary teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in systems, electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, software or biomedical engineering, or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience integrating instruments with robotics, liquid handlers or laboratory automation.
• Demonstrated success building, testing and demonstrating automated scientific workflows.
• Experience working with automation vendors, technology partners and external customers.
• Experience developing concepts from feasibility through verification or product transition.
• Experience providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of robotics, laboratory automation, liquid handling and instrument integration.
• Experience with mechanical and electrical interfaces, device-control APIs, communications and workflow orchestration.
• Experience with scheduling, error recovery, safety, sample handling and traceability.
• Proficiency with Python, C++, C#, Java or comparable programming languages.
• Experience with automated testing, simulation, system diagnostics and root-cause analysis.
• Understanding of genomic workflows used in biopharma, including sample preparation and nucleic-acid analysis.
• Hands-on, innovative approach to turning ambiguous workflow needs into working systems; ability to understand customer science as well as automation technology.
• Ability to think in reusable platforms rather than one-off demonstrations, build strong relationships, test assumptions quickly, communicate risks early, influence without direct authority, mentor engineers, and balance experimentation and speed with reliability and product viability.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with leading automation vendors and partner ecosystems.
• Practical understanding of AI/ML applications in automation, experimentation and intelligent control.

Responsibilities

• Develop automation concepts integrating instruments, consumables, assays, robotics, software and data.
• Translate customer needs and emerging scientific workflows into requirements and system concepts.
• Build prototypes and proof-of-concept systems to address important technical uncertainties.
• Lead trade studies involving throughput, flexibility, walk-away time, usability, reliability and cost; evaluate concepts for customer value, technical feasibility, scalability and product potential.
• Align automation concepts with GSD system architecture and reusable platform foundations.
• Integrate GSD instruments and consumables with robots, liquid handlers, conveyors and other laboratory equipment.
• Define physical, mechanical, electrical, communications, software and safety interfaces.
• Develop instrument-control APIs, device drivers, protocols and workflow abstractions.
• Create solutions for scheduling, synchronization, sample handling, traceability and error recovery.
• Troubleshoot issues across robotics, instruments, firmware, software, networks and scientific workflows.
• Design reusable integration patterns that can scale across products, customers and automation platforms.
• Build and execute automated workflows for biopharma and genomic applications.
• Develop test strategies covering normal operation, edge cases, recovery and extended unattended use.
• Evaluate throughput, reliability, sample integrity, contamination control and data traceability.
• Demonstrate working systems to customers, partners and internal stakeholders; support customer evaluations, co-development activities and early technology pilots.
• Translate testing and user feedback into technical requirements and product recommendations.
• Develop sample-to-answer and multi-instrument workflow capabilities, including Lab-in-the-Loop concepts using experimental data and real-time feedback to adapt or optimize workflows.
• Apply AI to experimental planning, scheduling, anomaly detection, recovery and workflow optimization; use AI-assisted engineering for interface development, test generation, failure analysis and documentation.
• Define data, compute and integration needs for intelligent automation, and ensure AI-enabled concepts include appropriate validation, traceability, cybersecurity and human oversight.
• Develop technical relationships with robotics, liquid-handling, automation-software and integration companies; maintain knowledge of vendors, platforms and interface standards.
• Evaluate partners and lead joint architecture, integration, testing and technical problem-solving; identify co-development or productized partner opportunities.
• Partner with Advanced Technology, System Architecture and product teams to mature successful concepts and identify productization needs involving reliability, cost, manufacturability, serviceability and quality.
• Develop reusable interface standards, simulators, test tools and integration documentation.
• Package prototypes, data, requirements and technical learning for transfer to product teams; support early product integration and resolve transition risks.
• Mentor engineers in automation architecture and cross-disciplinary integration.

Benefits

• Choice of national medical and dental plans and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
• At least 120 hours of paid time off (PTO) and 10 paid holidays annually.
• Paid parental leave: 3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave.
• Accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
• Competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), offering eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
• The position may be eligible for a variable annual bonus based on company, team and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior