Automation Engineer I-III: AI-Driven Lab Workcells

QuantumCell; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exposure to AI-driven lab automation

Hands-on ownership of instruments

Job summary

QuantumCell is advancing automated workcells for neuroscience drug discovery. The Automation Engineer will develop liquid handling methods, optimize deck layouts, and translate manual protocols into scalable automated workflows. You will work with biologists to ensure data quality and reliability across high-throughput runs.

This hands-on role offers growth toward wider ownership as the platform scales, with opportunities to collaborate across Sauk Labs and AI-driven scheduling initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; 2-4 years in biotech automation.
• Hands-on experience programming/liquid handlers (Tecan, Hamilton, Beckman).
• Familiarity with automation control software (FluentControl, VENUS, Biomek) or workcell schedulers.

Responsibilities

• Build and refine liquid handling methods for cell culture and proteomics workflows.
• Define liquid classes, parameters, deck layouts for accurate liquid handling.
• Collaborate with biologists to translate manual protocols to automated methods; iterate on results.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software issues; ensure reliability and data quality.

Skills

Liquid handling

Automation troubleshooting

Python scripting

Data QC

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

Tecan Fluent/EVO

Hamilton STAR/VANTAGE

Beckman Biomek

FluentControl/VENUS/Biomek Software

Job description

QuantumCell is advancing automated workcells for neuroscience drug discovery. The Automation Engineer will develop liquid handling methods, optimize deck layouts, and translate manual protocols into scalable automated workflows. You will work with biologists to ensure data quality and reliability across high-throughput runs.

This hands-on role offers growth toward wider ownership as the platform scales, with opportunities to collaborate across Sauk Labs and AI-driven scheduling initiatives.