Senior Automated Systems Engineer

About the role

Lila Sciences is seeking a highly skilled, hands-on Automated Systems Engineer to design, develop, and implement automation solutions across a broad range of laboratory workflows. Reporting to the Automated Systems Engineering Lead, this role is critical to building scalable, high-throughput automated workcells that translate scientific intent into reliable, real-world systems. This position serves as a steward of scientific and cross-functional requirements - working closely with scientists, hardware, controls, and software teams to define scope, align interfaces, and drive projects from concept through deployment. The successful candidate will actively partner with scientific partners helping shape the technical direction of experimental automation in a fast-moving research environment. You will translate abstract scientific goals into concrete technical specifications for automated experiments. You will own the end-to-end execution of automation projects, ensuring that each deliverable meets stringent standards for reliability and reproducibility. You will act as a primary technical interface between disciplines, resolving ambiguity and aligning stakeholders on shared objectives. Your work will directly enable the rapid iteration and deployment of experimental methods that drive scientific discovery.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define and document standardized laboratory workflows, operating procedures, and system architectures to support reproducibility and scale.

Lead and participate in equipment- and system-level FMEAs to improve robustness and operational safety for critical automation workcells.

Develop scalable automated solutions for synthesis and characterization workflows, supporting a variety of material systems such as porous materials, catalysts, coatings, and advanced composites.

Design failure detection methods and maintain laboratory automation systems to ensure robust operations under varied experimental conditions.

Assist in the troubleshooting and optimization of automated systems for throughput, reliability, and adaptability across diverse workflows in active research settings.

Translate scientific objectives into well-scoped technical requirements and automation architectures that balance innovation with practical deployment constraints.

Act as a connective tissue between science, hardware, controls, and software - ensuring interfaces are clear and solutions are cohesive across multidisciplinary teams.

Explore and integrate emerging technologies, such machine vision, and advanced sensors, to enhance automation capabilities and experimental insight.

Ensure alignment of automation solutions with safety, quality, and regulatory standards throughout the project lifecycle from concept to operation.

Contribute to hands-on development, testing, and implementation of automated workflows in the lab, directly supporting experimental execution and data quality.

Requirements

Strong hands-on experience developing and scaling automated workflows in laboratory or industrial settings, with a proven track record of delivering reliable systems.

Understanding of Python programming, including API integration and error handling, to build robust interfaces between hardware, software, and control systems.

Understanding of CAD design and rapid prototyping, including 3D printing, to iterate on mechanical components and support fast design cycles.

Hands-on experience with hardware systems, including electrical wiring, sensors, liquid/gas plumbing, and PID controllers, for building functional automated workcells.

Strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment where requirements evolve quickly.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences including scientists, engineers, and leadership.

Familiarity with advanced experimental systems, including vacuum, laser, furnace, and electrochemical experimentation, to integrate specialized apparatus into automated workflows.

Knowledge of machine vision applications and robotics control algorithms, enabling precise sample handling and real-time process monitoring.

Proven ability to integrate hardware and controls systems with automation workflows, ensuring seamless operation across software, sensors, and actuators.

Understanding of AI-driven decision-making in research automation, and interest in applying intelligent methods to optimize experimental outcomes.

Prior experience leading technical teams in a fast-paced R&D environment, with demonstrated success in mentoring, delegating, and driving execution.

Practical notes

This role is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and requires presence at the primary Lila Sciences laboratory location. Travel may be required for laboratory visits, cross-site collaboration, or stakeholder meetings. Employment is contingent on eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship requirements for this position. Candidates must be able to start within the timeframe specified in the hiring process. This position operates in a fast-paced research environment where experimental timelines and priorities may shift rapidly based on scientific results.