Engineer I, Research Operations (2nd Shift)

Socket.dev; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Lila Sciences is seeking an Engineer I to operate integrated laboratory automation and support high-throughput workflows on-site during the second shift (2:00 PM–10:00 PM). You will prepare materials, monitor active workflows, troubleshoot issues, and ensure reliable execution while collaborating with scientists and engineers across life sciences and physical sciences.

This entry-level role emphasizes applying a strong laboratory foundation and deepening expertise in automation, engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related field, or equivalent lab experience.
• Minimum 3 years of Co-Op and industry laboratory experience.
• Hands-on techniques including pipetting, reagent preparation, and aseptic technique.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs with accurate documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; capable of basic troubleshooting.
• Ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, and work reliably in a fast-paced, high-throughput lab.

Responsibilities

• Operate high-throughput workflows using integrated workcells and platforms (Hamilton, Lynx, Echo).
• Prepare reagents, samples, labware, and consumables for workflow execution.
• Follow SOPs, work instructions, and safety requirements to ensure accurate results.
• Monitor workflows in real time, troubleshoot issues, and perform recovery as needed.
• Perform routine equipment checks, cleaning, and maintenance to ensure reliable operation of automation systems.
• Record experimental, equipment, and process data with traceability and data integrity.
• Provide clear end-of-shift handoffs and communicate status and issues to teams.
• Support continuous improvement and cross-training to enhance workflow efficiency.

Skills

Attention to detail

Documentation

Collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or related field

Tools

Hamilton

Lynx

Echo

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila Sciences’ Research Operations team executes the automated laboratory workflows that power our scientific platform. We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Engineer I to join our high-throughput Research Operations team in an on-site, second-shift role with working hours of 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

In this role, you will operate integrated laboratory automation, prepare materials, monitor active workflows, troubleshoot issues, and help ensure reliable execution across the shift. You will apply your prior laboratory experience while collaborating with scientists and engineers across life sciences and physical sciences to support diverse research programs. This role is well suited to a candidate with a strong laboratory foundation who is ready to deepen their expertise in high-throughput automation, engineering principles, and science operations.

What You'll Be Building

• Execute high-throughput automated and manual laboratory workflows using integrated workcells and liquid-handling platforms, such as Hamilton, Lynx, Echo, or similar systems.
• Prepare, organize, and verify reagents, samples, labware, and consumables required for workflow execution.
• Follow standard operating procedures, work instructions, and safety requirements to support accurate, reproducible, and timely results.
• Monitor workflows in real time, identify equipment or process issues, perform first-line troubleshooting and recovery, and upscale complex issues when necessary.
• Perform routine equipment checks, cleaning, maintenance, and readiness activities to support reliable operation of automated systems.
• Review quality-control outputs and accurately record experimental, equipment, and process data to maintain data integrity and sample traceability.
• Provide clear end-of-shift handoffs and partner with scientists, automation engineers, and operational teams to communicate workflow status, open issues, and follow-up actions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and cross-training efforts that strengthen workflow efficiency, robustness, scalability, and operational coverage.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular 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 laboratory experience performing core techniques, including pipetting, reagent preparation, and aseptic technique, within Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Protein Science, or a related field.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to follow standard operating procedures and technical instructions while maintaining accurate, complete, and traceable documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to recognize unexpected results or workflow behavior, perform initial troubleshooting, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, 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 the scheduled second shift from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Bonus Points For

• Experience operating automated liquid handlers or integrated laboratory workcells, such as Hamilton, Lynx, Echo, or similar platforms.
• Experience working in a high-throughput or production-oriented laboratory environment with an emphasis on quality, efficiency, scalability, and operational continuity.
• Experience reviewing and interpreting quality-control data generated by automated laboratory workflows.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management, sample-tracking, or workflow-scheduling systems.
• Experience troubleshooting laboratory automation, performing routine equipment maintenance, or contributing to process improvements.
• Experience with protein purification or characterization techniques, such as bead-based purification, CE-SDS, colorimetric assays, or biolayer interferometry.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture, DNA or RNA workflows, or lipid nanoparticle formulation and handling.

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.

We’re All In

Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless 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.