Automation Engineer

Dormont Manufacturing Co; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research lab in California is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to integrate lab workflows with cutting-edge automation technology. You will collaborate with scientists and engineers to design and implement automated systems that enhance materials discovery. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in lab automation, programming skills (Python preferred), and a strong background in integrating complex data systems. This role offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of materials research.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in lab automation, integration, or industrial automation software.
• Hands-on experience with robotic lab automation systems.
• Familiarity with databases and enterprise software integration.
• Strong experience with scripting/programming (Python preferred).
• Familiarity with APIs, databases, and enterprise software integration.
• Hands‑on experience with information management and execution systems, such as LIMS or MES.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with bench scientists to translate experiments into integration specs.
• Design and build automated workcells for materials R&D.
• Develop instrument drivers that automate lab workflows.
• Develop instrument drivers that automate lab workflows by generating command sequences and invoking vendor API/SDK methods
• Collaborate with AI and data scientists to tightly integrate the autonomous lab with AI models for analysis and planning of experiments.

Skills

Lab automation

Integration

Scripting

Robotic lab systems

Education

BS in EE/CS/ME/Controls or equivalent

Tools

Python

APIs

LIMS or MES

Job description

About Periodic Labs

We are an AI + physical sciences lab building state of the art models to make novel scientific discoveries. We are well funded and growing rapidly. Team members are owners who identify and solve problems without boundaries or bureaucracy. We eagerly learn new tools and new science to push forward our mission.

About the Role

Join a world-class team of scientists and engineers pushing the boundaries of materials research in a groundbreaking lab where AI and automation unlock discoveries at unprecedented speed and scale.

We’re building an autonomous lab to speed up materials discovery, and we need someone who loves making instruments, robots, and data systems play beautifully together. As our Automation Engineer, you’ll turn scientific workflows into working software and integrations by designing clear data models, connecting instruments and automation to our lab information systems, and making sure everything runs in sync, safely, and reliably.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with bench scientists to translate experiments and lab workflows into clear integration specs and data models.

• Work with integrators to design and build automated workcells for materials R&D.

• Build and maintain services that connect instruments and robots to lab information systems.

• Develop instrument drivers that automate lab workflows by generating command sequences and invoking vendor API/SDK methods

• Collaborate with AI and data scientists to tightly integrate the autonomous lab with AI models for analysis and planning of experiments.

Qualifications

• BS in EE/CS/ME/Controls or equivalent.

• 5+ years in lab automation, integration, or industrial automation software.

• Hands‑on experience with robotic lab automation systems

• Strong experience with scripting/programming (Python preferred).

• Familiarity with APIs, databases, and enterprise software integration.

• Hands‑on experience with information management and execution systems, such as LIMS or MES.

Bonus qualifications

• Experience with containers, CI/CD, and Git‑based workflows.

• Background in lab informatics or scientific data management.

• Demonstrated accomplishments recognized in your field