Senior Lab Systems Scientist
Job description
Senior Lab Systems Scientist, Foresight Diagnostics (Natera)
Location: USA
Foresight Diagnostics is a molecular diagnostics company pioneering non-invasive cancer detection through highly sensitive, cell-free DNA-based liquid biopsy technologies. Our proprietary methods - originally developed at Stanford University - are designed to detect smaller tumors earlier and enable more personalized treatment strategies for patients with cancer. We sit at the intersection of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), and we translate rigorous science into clinically meaningful solutions. Following our acquisition by Natera, we now combine the agility of a mission-driven startup with the scale and resources of a global leader in cell-free DNA testing. It is an exciting moment to join us.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, our team operates in a high accountability, collaborative environment where quality and continuous improvement are not merely stated values but are how we work every day.
About The Role
The Senior Laboratory Systems Scientist is a critical senior individual contributor within our Operational Excellence and Process Engineering team. This role is responsible for leading the architecture, development, and continuous improvement of laboratory systems that enable scalable clinical testing operations. The position serves as a scientific and technical leader, designing, implementing, and optimizing laboratory technologies. It requires advanced scientific and operational judgment to translate complex operational needs into robust, scalable laboratory systems that meet regulatory, safety, and business requirements.
The Senior Laboratory Systems Scientist will collaborate with Research and Development, Software, Bioinformatics, Laboratory Operations, Automation Engineering, and RA/QA to lead cross-functional initiatives. These include technology transfer, system development, validation strategy, and operational process optimization. This is a full-time position based in Colorado, working standard business hours; however, the role requires flexibility to work diverse schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet critical deliverables. This position reports directly to the Senior Manager, Operational Excellence and Process Engineering.
What You Will Do
You will independently assess assay and operational processes to identify gaps and risk signals by interpreting complex performance and analytical data and operator feedback. You will define problems clearly and align cross-functional stakeholders to build business cases. These business cases will be presented to senior leadership, detailing scope, requirements, timeline, resourcing, and a comprehensive project plan.
You will design, develop, and implement, or oversee technology transfer programs, creating robust and scalable processes that enable laboratory operations to meet regulatory, safety, and business requirements. Under the guidance of the Laboratory Director and Senior Director, Laboratory Operations, you will develop performance qualifications, validation, and verification plans. You will execute these plans to protect and scale Foresight's laboratory operations without impacting capacity and clinical testing. This work must align with CAP, CLIA, NYSDOH, and other applicable regulations.
You will collaborate with Software teams, including internal departments and external vendors, to build user requirements and test cases. You will support release testing for laboratory non-product software and automation solutions. You will guide the development of user requirements, test strategies, and release validation activities for laboratory non-product software and automation systems.
You will collaborate with Automation Engineering, Bioinformatics, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Regulatory Assurance, and Laboratory Operations to define system requirements, functional specifications, and user needs for laboratory system solutions. You will create development protocols, study designs, execute complex wet laboratory testing, and perform data review and interpretation. You will draft reports for performance qualification, validation, and verification activities and present findings to the Laboratory Director, R&D, RA/QA, and Laboratory Operations leadership to support change management.
You will drive the operational rollout of new programs, products, and processes. This support includes tech transfer, team training, performance monitoring, and issue management through post-launch hypercare. You will evaluate operational outcomes using KPI data and supplier metrics to guide continuous improvements in testing workflows.
Requirements
You will interpret complex assay and operational data to identify gaps and risk signals across testing workflows. You will translate operational needs into business cases, project plans, and requirement documents for senior leadership review. You will design, develop, and transfer robust laboratory processes that meet regulatory, safety, and business objectives.
You will develop and execute validation and verification plans that protect capacity and clinical testing integrity. You will collaborate with software, automation, and bioinformatics to test and release laboratory solutions safely. You will define system requirements and specifications with cross-functional teams to support scalable solutions. You will create protocols, study designs, and reports that explain performance results and support decision-making.
Nice to Have
Experience in clinical laboratory environments with regulated testing under CAP and CLIA. Hands-on familiarity with NGS workflows, molecular diagnostics, and automation platforms.
Compensation
This role offers a base salary of $180,000.00 and an estimated total compensation of $270,000.00.
Practical Notes
Please What you'll do