Staff Automation Engineer

Guardant Health•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Guardant Health is seeking a Staff Lab Automation Engineer to design, build, and deploy 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. The engineer develops solutions that satisfy assay performance requirements while improving reliability, throughput, and cost, and collaborates with assay, operations, quality, and regulatory teams. The position involves programming and optimizing complete work cells, integrating automation equipment, modeling throughput, evaluating technology and vendors, and managing technical risk. It also leads validation strategy and documentation standards in a regulated environment, and transfers validated work cells into production with procedures and training. The engineer sets technical direction, coordinates engineers and external integrators, mentors engineers, leads design reviews, and communicates milestones and risks to leadership. Guardant Health uses a hybrid work model for eligible employees as specified by management and company policies. U.S. employees living within 50 miles of a Guardant facility are required to work onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The role is based primarily in Palo Alto, California, with other U.S. and Colorado pay ranges also listed.

Requirements

BS in engineering or science with 8 or more years of related experience, MS with 6 or more years, or PhD with 3 or more years.
Track record of 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 System (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 teams.
Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Program, test, troubleshoot, and optimize work cells 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 failure mode and effects analyses (FMEAs).
Evaluate new automation technologies and vendors.
Develop solutions that meet assay requirements for precision, timing, temperature, and contamination control.
Lead validation strategy, including IQ/OQ/PQ, and establish team documentation standards in a regulated environment.
Transfer validated work cells into production, including creating SOPs and providing 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 curiosity and sound judgment in critically evaluating and responsibly using AI-enabled tools in accordance with company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.