Autonomous Lab Architect & Automation Engineer

Berkeley Lab

Berkeley (CA)

On-site

USD 106,000 - 123,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Berkeley Lab's Energy Geosciences Division seeks a Project Scientist - Automation Engineer to lead automation development for REACT, an AI-driven materials chemistry laboratory that includes the ARC and HIPASS platforms.

You will design and integrate scientific instruments, robotic workflows, embedded controls, and software enabling autonomous experimentation in mineral processing, materials synthesis, and chemical research.

Qualifications

Ph.D. in a science or engineering discipline is required.
3+ years as a core hardware and automation engineer for autonomous systems.
Experience building custom scientific instruments and robotic equipment for autonomous research workflows.
Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) certification or equivalent required.
Proficiency in microcontrollers and PLC programming; experience with Ladder logic, C, C++.

Responsibilities

Lead hardware and automation design for autonomous laboratory systems and robotic workflows.
Develop electrical control systems for high-temperature, cryogenic, and aqueous environments.
Develop embedded software, firmware, and UIs for instrumentation and data acquisition.
Integrate collaborative robots with custom hardware for end-to-end automation.
Collaborate with scientists, AI/ML researchers, and software engineers to translate requirements into automated systems.
Design fault-tolerant hardware/software with emphasis on safety and compliance.
Define specs and provide guidance to external vendors; support procurement and vendor reviews.
Mentor junior researchers and contribute to technical reports and technology transfer.