Automation Engineer

Sci.bio Recruiting; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sci.bio Recruiting is seeking a Drug Discovery Automation Software Engineer in New York, NY to build software and orchestration layers connecting lab instruments, robotics, and AI agents for closed-loop discovery workflows.

You’ll collaborate with scientists and automation engineers to develop integrations via REST APIs and SDKs, and maintain Lab IT support across the research environment.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in digital or laboratory automation.
• Experience with Git, testing, code review, and CI.
• Hands-on experience with REST APIs, device SDKs, messaging, or similar integration technologies.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELNs, laboratory orchestration/scheduling platforms, and/or Azure.
• Practical understanding of laboratory instrumentation and automation.

Responsibilities

• Build software automation and orchestration tools that control lab automation devices and integrated workcells.
• Develop instrument integrations using REST APIs, device SDKs, messaging systems, and related technologies.
• Build interfaces that allow AI agents and scientists to plan, dispatch, monitor, and learn from automated experiments.
• Troubleshoot across software, instrumentation, and data layers to improve workflow reliability and data quality.
• Integrate instrument and laboratory data so it is usable by both scientists and AI systems.
• Support and maintain lab computers, endpoint security, remote access, backup infrastructure, and vendor software.
• Work closely with scientists, automation engineers, and software/AI teams in a highly collaborative environment.

Skills

Laboratory automation

APIs integration

CI/CD

Windows ecosystem

Education

BS/MS in CS/Software/Engineering/Bio/Life Sciences

Tools

REST APIs

Device SDKs

Messaging systems

Azure

LIMS/ELNs

Job description

Drug Discovery Automation Software Engineer

Location: New York, NY

Industry: Biotech / Drug Discovery

A recently funded biotech is building a next-generation, AI-native platform for small-molecule drug discovery, combining automated chemistry, robotics, software, and AI to create closed-loop discovery workflows.

We’re looking for a Software Engineer with hands-on laboratory automation experience to join the Automation / Physical AI team. This person will build the software and orchestration layers connecting lab instruments, robotic platforms, digital lab systems, and AI agents, while also serving as the primary owner for Lab IT support across the research environment.

What You’ll Do

• Build software automation and orchestration tools that control lab automation devices and integrated workcells.


• Develop instrument integrations using REST APIs, device SDKs, messaging systems, and related technologies.


• Build interfaces that allow AI agents and scientists to plan, dispatch, monitor, and learn from automated experiments.


• Troubleshoot across software, instrumentation, and data layers to improve workflow reliability and data quality.


• Integrate instrument and laboratory data so it is usable by both scientists and AI systems.


• Support and maintain lab computers, endpoint security, remote access, backup infrastructure, and vendor software.


• Work closely with scientists, automation engineers, and software/AI teams in a highly collaborative environment.

What We’re Looking For

• BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Bioengineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.


• 3–5 years of experience in digital or laboratory automation, ideally in biotech, pharma, or high-throughput research.


• Experience with software development best practices, including Git, testing, code review, and CI.


• Hands-on experience with REST APIs, device SDKs, messaging, or similar integration technologies.


• Familiarity with LIMS, ELNs, laboratory orchestration/scheduling platforms, and/or Azure.


• Practical understanding of laboratory instrumentation and automation, with the ability to troubleshoot across software and physical systems.


• Experience with Windows endpoint configuration, identity integration, endpoint security, remote access, and backup platforms.

Nice to Have

• Experience with agentic AI, multi-agent systems, RAG, or AI orchestration.


• Experience with liquid handlers, robotic workcells, or platforms such as Green Button Go, Cellario, Overlord, or similar.


• Experience with workflow orchestration tools such as Prefect, Airflow, Temporal, or Dagster.


• Background in small-molecule discovery, biotherapeutics, or high-throughput research.

This is a hands-on role at the intersection of laboratory automation, software engineering, Lab IT, and AI.