Engineer I/II, Research Operations (1st shift)

Lila Sciences, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Commuter benefits (bike share)

Job summary

Lila Sciences in Cambridge, MA is seeking an Engineer I/II, Research Operations for first shift to run high-throughput workflows across DNA, RNA, mRNA, protein, and cell-based applications. You will operate automation and instrumentation on-site and help maintain system reliability.

You will troubleshoot issues, document workflows, and work with scientists and engineers to improve scalability and performance while adhering to SOPs and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related field plus 3+ years of industry lab experience.
• Hands-on experience with core lab techniques and workflows, including aseptic handling and plate-based work.
• Experience with laboratory automation or instrumentation in high-throughput settings.

Responsibilities

• Independently execute high-throughput automated and manual workflows across DNA, RNA, mRNA, protein, and cell-based applications.
• Operate liquid handlers, plate readers, incubators, and other laboratory instrumentation; monitor QC results.
• Maintain accurate workflow records, SOPs, and cross-shift handoffs; troubleshoot issues and escalate as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into actionable improvements for reliability and scalability.
• Support startup/shutdown and routine maintenance to ensure safe, reliable operations.

Job description

Engineer I/II, Research Operations (1st shift)

Cambridge, MA USA

Lila Sciences’ Research Operations team executes the automated laboratory workflows that power our scientific platform. We are seeking a versatile and detail-oriented Engineer I/II who can quickly learn and independently execute high-throughput workflows across a range of biological applications, including DNA, RNA, mRNA, protein, and cell-based workflows.

You will remain part of Research Operations while working closely with a cross-functional team of scientists and engineers, providing the scientific and operational context needed to execute, evaluate, and improve laboratory systems. You will operate laboratory automation and instrumentation, monitor workflow performance and quality-control results, troubleshoot issues, maintain operational readiness, and translate workflow observations into improvements that strengthen reliability and scalability.

This is an on-site, first-shift role, with scheduled hours of either 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM based on operational needs. Level will be determined based on experience, technical breadth, and demonstrated independence.

What You'll Be Building

• Independently execute high-throughput automated and manual workflows across DNA, RNA, mRNA, protein, cell-based, and other biological applications.
• Prepare and verify reagents, samples, labware, and consumables required for workflow execution.
• Operate liquid handlers, plate readers, incubators, integrated workcells, and other laboratory instrumentation.
• Serve as a scientific and operational partner to cross-functional teams, translating workflow requirements, observations, and performance issues into actionable feedback.
• Monitor workflow execution and quality-control results, troubleshoot common equipment or process issues, and coordinate escalation of complex failures.
• Perform startup, shutdown, cleaning, routine maintenance, and readiness activities to support safe and reliable operations.
• Maintain accurate and traceable workflow records, SOPs, technical instructions, and cross-shift handoffs.
• Identify and implement improvements that strengthen workflow reliability, efficiency, scalability, and operational coverage.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific or engineering field, plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant industry laboratory experience; applicable co-op experience may count toward this requirement.
• Hands-on experience with core laboratory techniques such as pipetting, reagent preparation, sample handling, serial dilution, plate-based workflows, or aseptic technique.
• Experience operating laboratory automation or instrumentation in a research, production, or high-throughput environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret quality-control results, recognize unexpected workflow behavior, perform initial troubleshooting, and elevate appropriately.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs and technische instructions while maintaining accurate, complete, and traceable documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to learn new scientific workflows, work independently, manage competing priorities, and apply training accurately as operational needs evolve.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively across scientific, engineering, and operational teams.
• Ability to work on-site during first shift, with scheduled hours of either 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM based on operational needs.

Bonus Points For

• Hands-on experience across more than one biological workflow area, such as DNA, RNA, mRNA, protein, mammalian cell culture, or LNP.
• Experience operating laboratory automation platforms such as Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman, Echo, Opentrons, or similar systems.
• Experience partnering with hardware or automation engineers on instrument integration, testing, qualification, user acceptance testing, or workflow deployment.
• Experience troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation, performing routine maintenance, or supporting root-cause investigations.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting quality-control data generated by automated laboratory workflows.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management, sample-tracking, maintenance, or workflow-scheduling systems.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Willingness and flexibility to provide occasional second-shift coverage from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM with advance notice, based on operational needs.

Compensation

We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.

U.S. Benefits. Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.

International Benefits. Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.

Expected Base Salary Range

$75,600 – $124,800 USD

About LILA

Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.

LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.

Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

Lila Sciences iscommitted to equal employment opportunityregardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy .

A Note to Agencies

Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of Lila Sciences, and Lila Sciences will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto.