Automation Engineer: Scale High-Throughput Biotech Workcells

Flagship Pioneering; Cambridge (ME); On-site; USD 108,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Annual incentive program

Retirement benefits

Broad range of other benefits

Job summary

Vesalius Therapeutics, backed by Flagship Pioneering, seeks an Automation Engineer to scale an automated biology platform. You will translate biological workflows into robust workcells, develop automation scripts, and integrate instruments with data pipelines across IT and science teams.

The role blends biology, robotics, software, and data systems; requires programming in Python/C#, experience with automation hardware, and strong documentation skills. Competitive salary and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, engineering, automation, robotics, bioengineering, or related field.
• Early career experience in laboratory automation, scientific software, robotics, biotech automation, or related environment.
• Experience with biological workflows such as cell culture, high-content imaging, or NGS is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with automated liquid handlers, robotic systems, workcells, scheduling software, or instrument-control methods.
• Experience developing and troubleshooting automated biological workflows, liquid-handling methods, and data handoff.
• Ability to troubleshoot across software, hardware, liquid handling, and data workflows.
• Programming experience in Python and/or C#, with Git/version control, testing, debugging, and code documentation.
• Strong communication and documentation skills to work across scientific, automation, IT, and data teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize high-throughput automated protocols translating workflows from bench to workcells.
• Design automation solutions balancing fidelity, throughput, cost, reliability, and lead time.
• Collaborate on workflow execution, troubleshooting, training, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts, scheduling workflows, and instrument-control methods.
• Validate automated workflows against benchtop methods for precision, accuracy, and data quality.
• Build integrations between automation platforms, instruments, LIMS/ELN, imaging systems, and data pipelines.
• Integrate and troubleshoot new instruments and workcell components.
• Apply software engineering practices including version control, testing, and documentation.
• Program liquid-handling and robotic workflows across platforms such as Hamilton STAR and others.
• Create SOPs, method documentation, validation reports, and troubleshooting guides.

Skills

Python

C#

Git

Testing

Debugging

Code documentation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/engineering/biomedical automation

Tools

Hamilton STAR

Dynamic Devices Lynx

HighRes Biosolutions/Cellario

Beckman Biomek

Tecan

Biosero

Celltrio

Ginkgo Automation RAC

Job description

Vesalius Therapeutics, backed by Flagship Pioneering, seeks an Automation Engineer to scale an automated biology platform. You will translate biological workflows into robust workcells, develop automation scripts, and integrate instruments with data pipelines across IT and science teams.

The role blends biology, robotics, software, and data systems; requires programming in Python/C#, experience with automation hardware, and strong documentation skills. Competitive salary and benefits apply.