Engineer I, Research Operations (2nd Shift)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Lila Sciences is seeking an Engineer I for Research Operations in Cambridge, MA. This on-site, second-shift role (2:00 PM – 10:00 PM) supports automated workflows and lab operations across life and physical sciences.

You will operate integrated automation, prepare materials, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with scientists and engineers to ensure reliable, scalable research outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a life sciences or engineering field.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant Co-Op/industry lab experience.
• Hands-on lab experience with core techniques in molecular biology, microbiology, biotech, or related area.

Responsibilities

• Execute high-throughput automated and manual workflows using workcells and liquid-handling platforms (Hamilton, Lynx, Echo).
• Prepare, organize, and verify reagents, samples, labware and consumables.
• Follow SOPs, work instructions, and safety requirements to ensure accurate, reproducible results.
• Monitor workflows in real time; identify issues and perform first-line troubleshooting.
• Conduct routine equipment checks, cleaning, maintenance, and readiness activities.
• Review QC outputs and record data for traceability and integrity.
• Provide clear end-of-shift handoffs; communicate status and actions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and cross-training efforts.

Skills

Pipetting

Reagent prep

Aseptic technique

SOP compliance

Data documentation

Problem solving

Communication

Shift readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or related field

Tools

Hamilton

Lynx

Echo

Job description

Engineer I, Research Operations (2nd Shift)

Cambridge, MA USA

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 elevate 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.

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.