Automation Engineer

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening); Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is seeking an Automation Engineer in Austin to deploy, optimize, and support automated systems and software tools, including workcells, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments. This role builds on sustaining engineering foundations with troubleshooting and development.

The engineer will work with medium to high complexity projects, document work according to GDP, follow SOPs, and contribute to Production Automation Engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field is required.
• 2-5 years of experience in laboratory automation engineering, with hands-on troubleshooting and development.

Responsibilities

• Operate as a semi-autonomous individual contributor within Production Engineering.
• Deploy liquid handling robotics for capacity expansion and assist with documentation for new deployments.
• Perform defined continuous improvement projects and report progress to project leader or manager.
• Contribute to Stabilize/Standardize/Optimize projects from intake to execution with status updates and tracking.
• Handle complex troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance; provide 2nd-tier support to the Service Engineering team.
• Support PQ and verification activities for new or updated automated methods.
• Draft SOPs and work instructions; contribute to Production Engineering documentation library.
• Learn and build technical knowledge across platforms and assays; document activities with GDP and change-control practices.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Automation Engineer is an intermediate role focused on deployment, optimization, and support of automated systems and software tools, including workcells, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments. This engineer has more independence than an Associate and is expected to have a solid foundation in sustaining engineering (troubleshooting and development).

This individual should have a solid understanding of most complex automated liquid handling systems used in the lab, and can drive engineering projects of medium complexity independently and of high complexity with some guidance. They document work completely, follow SOPs, and contribute to Production Engineering documentation and team knowledge.

Work is organized across Production Automation Engineering's project portfolio categories—Stabilize, Standardize, and Optimize—and commonly includes liquid‑handler capacity expansion, platform upgrades, assay/workflow verification, instrument troubleshooting, and go‑live support for production systems.

Roles And Responsibilities

Complexity & Problem Solving

• Operate as a semi‑autonomous individual contributor within Production Engineering.
• Deploy liquid handling robotics for capacity expansion. Use SOPs or work instructions when available and assist with drafting documentation for new deployments.
• Perform defined continuous improvement projects; take ownership of assigned work and report to the project leader and/or manager.
• Contribute to Stabilize / Standardize / Optimize projects from intake through execution, including providing status updates and supporting schedule and % complete tracking.
• Handle complex troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance. Provide 2nd-tier support to the Service Engineering team.
• Solve non-routine problems with some guidance.
• Perform assignments following SOPs.
• Support technical work independently on medium‑complexity scope projects and with guidance on high‑complexity scope.
• Assist with performance qualification (PQ) and verification activities for new or updated automated methods.
• Draft SOPs and work instructions. Contribute to the Production Engineering documentation library.
• Continuously learn and build technical knowledge across platforms and assays.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of some controlling, scheduling, and supporting software.
• Be well versed in some complex laboratory instruments and the assays run on these systems.
• Develop solutions of medium complexity; understand when to reach out for guidance.
• Learn to analyze and interpret test data for troubleshooting and development.
• Document activities completely and with appropriate detail. Adhere to Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and change‑control practices as applicable.
• Adhere to lab safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration, Interaction & Projects

• Collaborate cross‑functionally on medium‑scale projects with Production, R&D, Quality, and vendors as assigned.
• Provide primary floor support in workcell laboratories and secondary floor support in other labs.
• Actively participate in sprint meetings and provide updates.
• Actively contribute in group meetings.
• Raise issues that could lead to continuous improvement projects.
• Lead initiatives, with guidance, to improve Production Engineering efficiency or ease of execution.
• Share progress through Production Automation Engineering project intake / PMO tracking as requested.

Management & Supervision

• No direct management responsibilities.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 2-5 years of experience in laboratory automation engineering, with hands‑on experience in lab automation troubleshooting and development.

Required Knowledge & Skills