Engineer I, Research Operations, (1st shift)

Lila Sciences, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Lila Sciences seeks an Engineer I, Research Operations in Cambridge, MA to support mammalian cell-based workflows, including electroporation, LNP dosing, and chemical transfection. This on-site, first-shift role collaborates with scientists to enhance workflow reliability and traceability.

You will operate automated liquid handlers, monitor cell health, and help develop SOPs while maintaining detailed records in a fast-paced lab environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant science/engineering field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant co-op/industry lab experience.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience with aseptic technique.
• Experience with transfection methods (chemical, electroporation).
• Strong attention to SOPs and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Execute high-throughput workflows including electroporation and LNP dosing.
• Maintain mammalian cell lines and perform passaging and viability.
• Operate automated liquid handlers and electroporation instruments.
• Perform downstream characterization using flow cytometry and plate readers.
• Maintain traceable records and improve SOPs.

Skills

Mammalian cell culture

Aseptic technique

Laboratory automation

Electroporation

LNP dosing

Chemical transfection

Documentation and SOP compliance

Analytical problem-solving

Multi-tasking in high-throughput

Communication and collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Biotech/Biochem/Cell Biology/Bioengineering

Equivalent education and lab experience

Tools

Automated liquid handlers

Electroporation instruments

Flow cytometer

Plate reader

Imaging systems

Lab automation software

Job description

Engineer I, Research Operations, (1st shift)

Cambridge, MA USA

Lila Sciences’ Research Operations team executes the high-throughput laboratory workflows that power our scientific platform. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Engineer I to support mammalian cell-based workflows, including electroporation, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dosing, and chemical transfection. 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.

In this role, you will combine hands-on cell culture with laboratory automation to deliver consistent, high-quality materials for downstream applications. You will maintain mammalian cell cultures, operate automated liquid handlers and specialized instruments, monitor cell health and quality-control results, troubleshoot issues, and perform downstream characterization. You will partner with scientists and engineers to improve workflow reliability, scalability, and traceability.

What You'll Be Building

• Execute high-throughput automated and manual workflows, including electroporation, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dosing, and chemical transfection.
• Maintain and passage mammalian cell lines and primary cells using aseptic technique, including cell counting and viability assessment.
• Prepare workflow materials and operate automated liquid handlers, electroporation instruments, and related laboratory equipment.
• Perform downstream characterization using flow cytometry, plate reader-based assays, or imaging-based methods.
• Monitor cell health, workflow performance, and quality-control results; troubleshoot issues and elevate as needed.
• Maintain traceable records, provide clear handoffs, and partner with scientists and engineers to improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and workflows.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant Co-Op and industry laboratory experience.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience, including aseptic technique, routine maintenance, passaging, cell counting, and viability assessment.
• Experience with mammalian cell transfection methods, including chemical transfection, electroporation, or related delivery technologies.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs and technical instructions while maintaining accurate, complete, and traceable documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including recognizing deviations, performing initial troubleshooting, and escalating appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and execute reliably in a fast-paced, high-throughput laboratory environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to provide clear status updates and work effectively across 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

• Experience operating electroporation platforms, such as the Lonza Nucleofector or similar systems.
• Experience with LNP dosing or LNP-mediated delivery to mammalian cells.
• Experience handling primary human cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), T cells, or stem cells.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation, instrument operation, or data analysis.
• Experience with plate reader-based or imaging-based cellular assays.
• Experience operating automated liquid handlers and associated software.
• Experience working in a high-throughput screening or production-oriented laboratory environment.

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 - $100,800 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 .