Lab Robotics Engineer
Job description
About the role
You will own the end to end lifecycle of robotic automation software that powers our global sequencing network. This role requires you to write production quality Python that directly controls diverse robotic platforms and lab instruments. You will design robotic systems using a mix of off the shelf hardware and custom electronic and mechanical parts including Raspberry Pis and Arduinos. You will collaborate closely with world class scientists to productionize novel lab protocols and refine them for scale. Your work will involve building and managing a fleet of robots and monitoring systems to proactively detect and resolve field issues. You will own key integrations that connect our automation stack with the broader cloud infrastructure. You will ensure that our robotic workflows are reliable, observable, and maintainable in a fast paced environment. Your contributions will directly accelerate scientific discovery by reducing hands on time and increasing experimental throughput.
Key facts
What you'll do
Implement and maintain Python codebases that orchestrate robotic arms, liquid handlers, and sequencing instruments.
Design and prototype robotic systems using modular hardware components, sensors, and embedded controllers like Raspberry Pis and Arduinos.
Translate complex molecular biology protocols into automated, production ready workflows in close partnership with research scientists.
Build and manage a scalable fleet of laboratory robots while developing monitoring and alerting systems for proactive issue detection.
Integrate automation software with cloud services and infrastructure tools to support distributed lab operations.
Develop and deploy software updates that optimize timing, throughput, and reliability of sample processing pipelines.
Create robust testing and validation frameworks to ensure that automated experiments meet scientific and regulatory standards.
Leverage simple computer vision techniques, for example using OpenCV, for sample tracking and plate reading verification.
Document system architectures, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides to support cross functional teams.
Collaborate with hardware engineers to iterate on custom mechanical and electronic parts used in robotic workcells.
Establish telemetry and logging solutions that provide real time insight into robot health and experiment status.
Drive the deployment of automation solutions across multiple lab locations using orchestration and configuration management tools.
Participate in on call rotations to respond to robotic failures, performance issues, and urgent experiment needs.
Champion best practices in software engineering, version control, and continuous integration for laboratory automation.
Requirements
BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Biology, or relevant work experience.
3+ years of experience programming in Python with a strong portfolio of projects.
Familiarity with molecular biology protocols and at least 1 year of hands on lab experience.
1+ years of experience automating and optimizing lab procedures using liquid handling systems such as OpenTrons or Hamilton.
Experience with orchestration and deploying software to multiple devices in the field using tools like Docker and Ansible.
Experience with cloud platforms and infrastructure as code using services such as AWS and tools like Terraform.
Experience writing software for Raspberry Pi and similar embedded platforms.
Experience building and maintaining QA, telemetry, and monitoring systems to ensure device stability and reliability.
Experience working with Linux servers and performing routine system administration in a production environment.
Experience with 3D printing and basic CAD modeling using tools such as Fusion 360.
Some experience with simple computer vision libraries such as OpenCV for image based analysis.
Preferred experience with C Sharp and .NET frameworks for scripting automation equipment.
Strong interest in learning about biotechnology and DNA sequence analysis processes.
Nice to have
Only items that are explicitly preferred in the source appear here.
Practical notes
We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not perfectly align with the job description as we seek out diverse and creative perspectives. Team members who love to learn and collaborate in an inclusive environment will thrive with us. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need additional accommodations to feel comfortable during your interview process, please let us know at careers@plasmidsaurus.com.