Automation Engineer I/II (Contract)

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc.; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 73,012 - 100,564; Full time

Job summary

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. in Palo Alto is seeking a Process Automation Engineer to support high complexity cancer detection automation. This role involves testing and troubleshooting liquid handling platforms and maintaining laboratory instruments.

Ideal candidates have a B.S. in engineering or biology, with 3+ years in assay automation and knowledge in automated liquid handlers like Hamilton. The position offers a salary of $53 - $73 an hour and values diversity within the workplace.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in the development of assay automation on liquid handlers.
• Knowledge in automating next generation sequencing techniques.
• Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., CLIA, FDA).

Responsibilities

• Support high complexity process automation engineering for cancer detection.
• Troubleshoot, test, and verify automated scripts on liquid handlers.
• Maintain ultra-low temperature freezers to ensure sample integrity.

Skills

Analytical ability

Technical communication

Attention to detail

Liquid processing knowledge

Education

B.S. or higher in engineering, biology, or related field

Tools

LIMS Sapio

Liquid handlers

Job description

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting high complexity process automation engineering for cancer detection via next generation sequencing. You will be troubleshooting, testing, and verifying automated scripts on liquid handlers. You will work cross-functionally with clinical laboratory scientists, tech transfer scientists, data scientists, software engineers, systems engineers, and quality. This is a critical role that will help bring Delfi’s instrumentation through the development, verification, and validation process and launch them into clinical use.

What you'll do

• Support, maintain, test, and troubleshoot liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman, or equivalent) used in clinical multi-omics workflows
• Perform routine and corrective maintenance on laboratory instruments including liquid handlers, centrifuges, plate sealer, plate peelers, proteomics platforms, thermal cyclers, cold storage units, and related equipment
• Monitor and maintain ultra‑low temperature (ULT) freezers, refrigerators, to ensure sample integrity and compliance
• Coordinate instrument qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and assist with vendor service scheduling
• Rapidly diagnose and resolve instrument failures to minimize impact on clinical workflow timelines
• Create, execute, and maintain SOPs, maintenance logs, and equipment records in accordance with CAP, CLIA, and NYS DOH laboratory regulations
• Accurately document all troubleshooting activities, corrective actions, and preventive maintenance in the laboratory's quality management system (QMS)
• Support gap assessments and readiness activities as the laboratory progresses toward FDA regulation (21 CFR Part 820 / QSR)
• Participate in inspections and internal audits; respond to equipment‑related observations and corrective action requests
• Maintain equipment inventory, calibration schedules, and service records in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with scientists and lab operations to identify opportunities for process improvement and automation
• Support onboarding and training of laboratory staff on instrument operation and maintenance best practices
• Assist with reagent and consumable management for instrumentation as needed
• Contribute to other laboratory needs as assigned, including assay support, facility tasks, and special projects
• Document troubleshooting efforts with root cause analysis and corrective actions under design control and quality management systems, policies and procedures.
• Perform basic lab work in support of R&D activities
• Own the Equipment Ticketing System, pushing instrument tickets as they progress through support and communicating to ticket owners resolutions and updates.
• Update instrument status and maintenance completion in LIMS Sapio.

What you'll bring

Required

• B.S. or higher in engineering, biology, or similar field providing a strong foundation in lab automation, systems development, and science
• High level of analytical ability to solve complex technical problems
• Skilled in technical and non‑technical communication
• Able to master new concepts and skills quickly, with strong attention to detail
• Comfortable working in both individual and cross‑functional team settings

Level I

• Knowledge of liquid processing equipment and procedures in high‑throughput settings
• Knowledge in the development of assay automation on liquid handlers (i.e. Hamilton, Agilent, Beckman, Tecan)

Level II

• 3+ years of experience in the development of assay automation on liquid handlers
• Proven track record in automating next generation sequencing techniques and procedures in high‑throughput settings
• Skilled with standard molecular biology and wet lab techniques such as nucleic acid isolation, purification, and quantification
• Experience in automation‑LIMS integration, designing and executing instrument testing/validation plan

Preferred

• Knowledge in automating next generation sequencing techniques
• Experience with Computer Programming and programming concepts
• Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., CLIA, CAP, NYS, FDA, GXP, etc.)
• Experience in reagent manufacturing, ideally in a regulated environment (cGMP)
• Experience programming automated liquid handlers for NGS assay, Hamilton

$53 - $73 an hour

An equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.