Automation Specialist

BEPC Inc. - Business Excellence Professional Consulting; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Job summary

BEPC Inc. is seeking a Laboratory Automation Scientist to develop, implement, and optimize automated workflows for advanced 3D cell culture models, including organoids and iPSC systems, in South San Francisco, CA.

The role emphasizes hands-on automation, liquid handling platforms, cell culture, Python/C# programming, and integration with LIMS to support drug discovery and preclinical research.

Qualifications

• PhD with 0–3 years of relevant experience OR Master’s with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomaterials, Immunology, Pharmacology, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, program, and implement automated workflows for complex in vitro models (CIVMs).
• Translate manual cell culture procedures into automated, scalable protocols.
• Operate, program, troubleshoot, and maintain automated liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Biomek, Opentrons, BioTek).
• Integrate automated incubators, centrifuges, imaging systems and other instrumentation into workflows.
• Develop Python and/or C# solutions for automation and data processing.
• Collaborate to integrate automation with LIMS and ensure documentation and quality control.

Skills

Lab automation

Python

C#

Liquid handling

3D cell culture

Education

PhD or Master’s in Biomedical/Engineering

Tools

Hamilton

Biomek

Opentrons

BioTek

LIMS

Job description

Employment Type: W2 Contract – 12 Months

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance

Contract Restrictions: W2 Only – No C2C or B2B

Role Overview

BEPC is seeking a highly skilled Laboratory Automation Scientist to support our client, a leading biotechnology organization in South San Francisco, CA.

This exciting opportunity focuses on developing, implementing, and optimizing automated laboratory workflows for advanced 3D cell culture models, including organoids, spheroids, and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) systems.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience in laboratory automation, liquid handling platforms, automated cell culture, and Python programming to help advance innovative research technologies.

Working alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists, automation engineers, and software developers, you will play a critical role in transforming manual laboratory processes into scalable, reproducible automated workflows supporting drug discovery and preclinical research.

Key Responsibilities

• Laboratory Automation Development: Design, develop, program, and implement automated workflows for complex in vitro models (CIVMs), including organoids, spheroids, and iPSC-derived cell cultures.
• Automated Cell Culture: Translate manual cell culture procedures and biological assays into reliable, scalable automated protocols.
• Liquid Handling Systems: Operate, program, troubleshoot, and maintain automated liquid handling platforms, including Hamilton, Beckman Coulter Biomek, Opentrons, and BioTek systems.
• Workflow Optimization: Develop, test, qualify, and execute automated cell culture and assay workflows to improve laboratory efficiency, consistency, and reproducibility.
• Instrument Integration: Integrate automated incubators, centrifuges, imaging systems, analyzers, and other laboratory instrumentation into automated workflows.
• Programming & Data Automation: Utilize Python and/or C# to develop automation solutions, improve data processing, and support laboratory workflow integration.
• LIMS Integration: Collaborate with data engineers and software developers to integrate laboratory automation systems with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance, system qualification, quality control checks, and troubleshooting to ensure equipment readiness and sterility.
• Process Documentation: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), technical documentation, troubleshooting guides, and automation protocols.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with scientists, engineers, external vendors, and technical teams to implement automation best practices and resolve system challenges.
• Technical Training: Support team members in Python development practices, version control, collaborative programming workflows, and AI-assisted tools for biological applications.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve automation capabilities, laboratory productivity, data quality, and experimental reproducibility.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• PhD with 0–3 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree with 4–6 years of relevant experience.
• Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomaterials, Immunology, Pharmacology, Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.

Technical Requirements:

• Hands-on experience automating cell culture processes in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, academia, or contract research organizations (CROs).
• Demonstrated ability to convert manual laboratory experiments and cell culture procedures into automated, scalable protocols.
• Experience operating, programming, and troubleshooting automated liquid handling systems, such as Hamilton, Biomek, Opentrons, or similar platforms.
• Experience integrating laboratory automation equipment, including automated incubators, centrifuges, analyzers, and imaging systems.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C# programming for laboratory automation applications.
• Experience troubleshooting automation workflows, instrumentation, and software integrations.
• Familiarity with integrating laboratory instrumentation and quality control data into LIMS platforms.
• Ability to maintain detailed technical documentation, SOPs, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists, engineers, and multidisciplinary research teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience automating 3D cell culture systems, including organoids, spheroids, or iPSC-derived models.
• Experience with complex in vitro models (CIVMs) and organ-on-chip or microfluidic technologies.
• Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software, including:
• Green Button Go
• Thermo Scientific Momentum
• HighRes Biosolutions Cellario
• Experience with automated biological assays, including:
• Cell viability assays
• Flow cytometry
• Gene expression analysis
• High-content screening
• 3D imaging and image analysis
• Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER)
• Experience working with primary human cells and advanced 3D cellular models.
• Familiarity with Python development best practices, version control, and collaborative software development.
• Experience coordinating with external vendors for laboratory automation hardware, software modifications, system maintenance, and integration.
• Experience developing automated workflows supporting drug discovery, toxicology, pharmacology, or preclinical research.

Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite – Laboratory-Based

Contract Duration: 12 Months (1 Year)

End Date: 12 Months from Start Date

Employment Classification: W2 Contract Only

C2C/B2B: Not Accepted

This position requires hands-on laboratory work involving automated instrumentation, cell culture, and biological research.

Candidates should be comfortable with:

• Standing or sitting for extended periods.
• Performing repetitive laboratory tasks, including pipetting, cell culture, and sample preparation.
• Working with biological materials, human primary cells, and potentially hazardous laboratory substances.
• Performing laboratory procedures requiring manual dexterity and attention to detail.
• Maintaining flexibility in work schedules, including occasional weekend or holiday work when necessary.

Employee Benefits:

BEPC offers competitive benefits, including:

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance

About BEPC

BEPC Inc., founded in 2007, is a 100% employee-owned company providing top-tier consulting and staffing solutions across industries like technology, engineering, manufacturing, and project management.

At BEPC, we are driven by innovation and a commitment to excellence. We take pride in fostering a collaborative and innovative environment where our team members thrive.

With competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, BEPC is dedicated to supporting our employees' personal and professional growth.

Our employee-owned culture reflects our commitment to building lasting relationships, delivering exceptional service, and creating meaningful career opportunities.