Laboratory Automation Engineer

Bayer•Ankeny, IA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

As an Automation Engineer, you will evaluate and recommend novel laboratory automation instruments for deployment in a production environment. You will write methods using various laboratory automation control software, including Tecan EVOware, Beckman, Hamilton, Agilent/Bionex Vworks, Dynamic Devices MethodManager, Green Button GO, Plate Butler, Cellario Scheduler, and others. You will work hands-on with the installation and integration of laboratory automation, ensuring a high level of attention to detail. Collaboration with partners in other functions will be essential to ensure that new instruments and processes transition smoothly into a production environment. Additionally, you will develop and maintain relationships with external vendors to create custom automation solutions and support production. Your contributions will directly impact the development of innovations that improve efficiency and reduce unit costs. You will serve as a point person between Deployment and Production teams, providing instrumental training to production end users. You will also create a census of automation, its current usage, and develop and implement a plan for areas of retirement, growth, or re-deployment. Handling the migration of lab/automation computers, including installing and integrating automation and devices as needed while testing to ensure lab stability, will be part of your responsibilities. Supporting ongoing liquid handler operations through writing/troubleshooting liquid handler scripts, liquid classes, and automation scheduler scripts will be crucial. You will create a system and culture of version control for automation scripts and thorough documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or a related scientific field, OR High School Diploma with seven years’ automation experience AND a technical certification
Minimum of two years of experience developing and deploying integrated automation solutions in a high throughput laboratory environment
Knowledge of PCR, Sequencing, and other Molecular Biology techniques and skills as well as experience with high throughput automation systems designed for molecular biology or analytical applications
Ability to work both independently and collaborate effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers
Experience designing, executing, and troubleshooting experiments for liquid handling, workflow complications, and IT integration
Self-driven individual motivated to book end projects requiring minimal supervision

Responsibilities

Evaluate and recommend novel laboratory automation instruments for deploying to a production environment
Write methods using various laboratory automation control software including Tecan EVOware, Beckman, Hamilton, Agilent/Bionex Vworks, Dynamic Devices MethodManager, Green Button GO, Plate Butler, Cellario Scheduler, and others
Work hands-on with the installation and integration of laboratory automation with a high level of attention to detail
Collaborate with partners in other functions to ensure that new instruments and processes transition smoothly into a production environment
Collaborate, develop and maintain relationships with external vendors to develop drivers, custom automation solutions, and enable Production support
Contribute directly to the development of innovations that improve efficiency and reduce unit cost
Serve as a point person between Deployment and Production teams and provide instrument training to production end users
Create a census of automation, its current usage, and develop and implement a plan for areas of retirement, growth, or re-deployment
Handle the migration of lab/automation computers, including installing, integrating automation and devices as needed while testing to ensure lab stability
Support ongoing liquid handler operations through writing/troubleshooting liquid handler scripts, liquid classes, automation scheduler scripts
Create a system and culture of version control for automation scripts and thoroughness through documentation