Automation Engineer I - Lab Automation & High-Throughput

Abbott; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 51,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Strong retirement plan

Global employer

Job summary

Abbott is seeking an Automation Engineer I to join a cross-functional team to develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for pre-analytical sample processing and sequencing-based assays in a medical device environment.

The role emphasizes software, mechanical, electrical, and biomedical integration, with responsibilities spanning the software lifecycle, debugging, documentation, and collaboration across sites to deliver high-quality results for patients.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Life Sciences, Engineering, or field as outlined in the essential duties.
• 1+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.). Experience with Hamilton liquid handlers is desired.
• High attention to detail and proven ability to effectively communicate across teams located at multiple sites.
• Optimistic and innovative; solution oriented.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with a team of scientists.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and demands.
• Values, communicates, and interacts with others with high levels of transparency and respect.
• Familiarity with Next-Generation sequencing and/or common molecular biology laboratory workflows.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, such as : Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, and Publisher.

Responsibilities

• Develop automated laboratory solutions through programming of liquid handling robotics platforms to meet the requirements of existing assay workflows, in an FDA regulated medical device environment.
• Participate in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
• Work with cross-functional teams to understand laboratory processes and procedures and translate into user needs and software requirements.
• Develop robust automated liquid handler methods for scalable and high throughput use that integrate with larger software systems for data management and sample tracking.
• Iteratively develop and improve software based on feedback from experimental data and user feedback.
• Maintain and improve the performance of existing software.
• Troubleshoot issues across electrical, mechanical, and software systems to perform root cause analysis and issue resolution.
• Review and debug complex software.
• Design experiments studying impact of software controls on mechanical systems.
• Use good documentation practices to write test protocols, execute experiments according to protocols, write test reports, and manage deviations.
• Write technical documents under formal design controls for medical devices with team input, including but not limited to software requirements and software design descriptions.
• Ability to establish high level of credibility and maintain effective relationships and strong open communication with employee, managers, and customers.
• Ability to meet critical deadlines and successfully facilitate constructive engagements.
• Ability to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner.
• Ability to prioritize and drive to results with a high emphasis on quality.
• Ability to work with moderate supervision and take ownership of assigned projects.
• Ability to follow and optimize processes.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, detail oriented, with strong organization and time management skills.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day.
• Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Effective communication

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Life Sciences/Engineering

M.S. degree preferred

Tools

Hamilton liquid handlers

Microsoft Office

Job description

Abbott is seeking an Automation Engineer I to join a cross-functional team to develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for pre-analytical sample processing and sequencing-based assays in a medical device environment.

The role emphasizes software, mechanical, electrical, and biomedical integration, with responsibilities spanning the software lifecycle, debugging, documentation, and collaboration across sites to deliver high-quality results for patients.