Integration Engineer, Lab Automation

Stealth Biotech; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite lunch and snacks

Job summary

Stealth Biotech in San Francisco is seeking an Integration Engineer to bring lab instruments online and keep them performing reliably. You will own each instrument from integration to unattended overnight runs, solving a range of electromechanical and software challenges in a fast-moving biotech automation environment.

You’ll write Python drivers, develop fixtures in CAD, and verify robot motion across incubators, microscopes, and deck positions, enabling automated end-to-end lab work.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics, Computer, or Biomedical Eng or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Experience bringing up and debugging electromechanical systems (motors, drivers, sensors).
• Comfort with lab test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyser).
• Familiarity with serial/fieldbus protocols (RS-232/422/485, CAN, Modbus, USB-serial) and networking basics.
• Solid Python skills, Linux, Git, and reading vendor manuals.

Responsibilities

• Bring instruments online: write and maintain Python drivers for RS-232/485, USB, Ethernet, vendor APIs.
• Diagnose hardware faults using meters, scopes, logs and registers.
• Design and build fixtures and adapters in CAD; 3D print or machine parts.
• Teach and verify robot motion for incubators, microscopes, and deck positions.
• Build reliability into the lab and set up instrument configurations for workflows.
• Automate bring-up and testing with scripted self-tests and repeat-run qualification.
• Coordinate new equipment purchases with vendors and integrate instruments.
• Partner with scientists to convert manual protocols into automated steps.

Skills

Python

Lab automation

Electromechanical debugging

Written communication

Problem solving

Schematic reading

Reading vendor manuals

Fast-moving environment adaptability

Education

Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Computer or Biomedical Eng. degree

Tools

CAD (SolidWorks/Onshape)

3D printing (SLA, FDM)

Sheet metal/machined parts design

Lab test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope)

Job description

Stealth Biotech - San Francisco (On-Site)

Temporary, Full-Time

Integration Engineer, Lab Automation

Stealth Biotech - San Francisco (On-Site)

Temporary, Full-Time

About Us

We're a stealth-stage biotech automating the production of brain organoids, lab-grown neural tissue. We are integrating the instruments and software that run this biology around the clock.

About the Team

We're a small, high-ownership team building an automated cell-culture workcell from the ground up. You'll shape the foundations of our lab and get the opportunity to contribute to the design and implementation of a robotic system responsible for completing end-to-end laboratory work.

About the Job

We're hiring an Integration Engineer to bring lab instruments online and keep them performing reliably. One day you might revive a second-hand incubator's lift motor; the next you'll design a tool for our robot, print it and teach the system a new pose. You'll own each instrument from its initial integration to running unattended overnight. Generally, you will be problem-solving in a fast moving environment with a myriad of engineering issues available to be resolved. This role will be for the period that we set up our automation.

What You'll Do

• Bring instruments online: Get serial (RS-232/485), USB, Ethernet and vendor-API instruments working with our software, and write and maintain their Python drivers.
• Diagnose hardware: Trace electromechanical faults through motor drivers, stepper motors, sensors, harnesses and power, with a multimeter and oscilloscope and by reading the controller's own logs and registers.
• Design and build fixtures and adapters: Liquid handler tools, labware nests and brackets in CAD (STEP/SolidWorks/Onshape), made by 3D printing (SLA and FDM) or as sheet metal and machined parts.
• Teach and verify robot motion: Robot positions at incubators, microscopes and deck positions.
• Build reliability into the lab: Error handling to ensure reliable operation of our instruments.
• Own configuration: Set up instruments to work with our software and to perform for the requisite workflows.
• Automate bring-up and testing: Scripted self-tests, repeat-run qualification, etc.
• Work with vendors: Coordinate new equipment purchases and work with vendor teams to integrate instruments.
• Partner with scientists: Turn manual protocols into automated steps.

Qualifications

We don't expect you to have every single skill, nor do we have a single ‘perfect fit’ profile in mind. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway.

• A degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer or Biomedical Engineering, or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Experience bringing up and debugging electromechanical systems: motors and motor drivers, sensors, harnesses, power.
• Comfort with lab test equipment: multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyser, bench power supply.
• Working knowledge of serial and fieldbus protocols (RS-232/422/485, CAN, Modbus, USB-serial) and networking basics.
• Solid Python skills, plus comfort with Linux, Git, and reading code and vendor manuals.
• CAD and rapid prototyping: designing parts for 3D printing and simple sheet‑metal or machined parts.
• The ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.
• A methodical approach: you isolate faults step by step to problem‑solve and debug.
• Clear written communication. Lab automation experience: liquid handlers, plate robots, automated incubators or plate hotels, imaging systems, scheduling software (e.g. Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons, HighRes, Biosero).
• Working with cell culture or in a wet lab.
• Industrial motion control: stepper/servo drives, homing and limit switches, PLCs.
• Digital twins, robot simulation or motion planning.
• Experience bringing second‑hand or refurbished equipment back to life.

Compensation

• $35-45/hour
• Onsite lunch and snacks

Actual compensation will be determined based on the candidate's specific experience, skills, and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications, without regard to protected characteristics such as race, religion, sex, age, or disability.