Autonomous Lab Automation Engineer

Riven Systems; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Riven Systems seeks an Automation Engineer to build and own the self-driving laboratory that underpins our chemical discovery platform. You will lead the automation of the lab, from CAD design and fabrication to wiring, commissioning, and control, ensuring reliable operation in a wet lab environment.

You will collaborate with experts in hydrometallurgy, machine learning, and autonomous experimentation to connect software intelligence with experimental execution.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, or robotics engineering or equivalent demonstrated ability to design, build, and commission automated systems.
• 3+ years hands-on automation across design, fabrication, programming, and deployment.
• Practical cobot competence including motion programming, TCP/payload config, workspace/keep-out, and safety speed/force limiting.
• Strong mechanical design and CAD skills with fabrication-oriented thinking.
• Real electrical and controls work: sensors, actuators, I/O, relays, safety circuits, panel build, and schematics.
• Python for control code, instrument interfacing, and tooling.

Responsibilities

• Own physical automation of our lab: CAD, fabrication, wiring, commissioning, and control.
• Build the communication layer between third-party instruments and Riven's data pipeline.
• Run risk assessments and design guarding, interlocks, and limits for unattended operation.
• Build labware tracking and state management to reliably track operations and outputs.
• Extend the platform with unattended operation and remote monitoring and control.

Skills

Automation engineering

Hands-on automation

Cobot competence

Mechanical design & CAD

Electrical controls

Python programming

Interdisciplinary communication

Agile problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or higher in mechanical/electrical/mechatronics/robotics engineering

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Riven Systems seeks an Automation Engineer to build and own the self-driving laboratory that underpins our chemical discovery platform. You will lead the automation of the lab, from CAD design and fabrication to wiring, commissioning, and control, ensuring reliable operation in a wet lab environment.

You will collaborate with experts in hydrometallurgy, machine learning, and autonomous experimentation to connect software intelligence with experimental execution.