Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

Axle; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401K match

Educational benefits

Employee referral bonus

FSA: Healthcare

FSA: Parking reimbursement

FSA: Dependent care

FSA: Transportation

Job summary

Axle in Rockville seeks a Laboratory Automation Engineer to program, integrate, and maintain the autonomous BAB400 robots, building software that turns hardware into repeatable workflows using the MADSci framework.

The role blends hands-on robotics in a biological lab with production-quality software development, collaborating with IDSS data engineers, bioinformaticians, and biologists to validate protocols and ensure reliable runs.

Qualifications

• Automation experience in laboratory robotics or similar automation.
• Ability to read a protocol, understand biology requirements, and translate into automated workflows.
• Experience with vendor APIs/SDKs and robot software development.
• Strong Python programming and hardware/network protocol knowledge (serial, TCP/IP, OPC UA).
• Git, testing, code review, and Docker experience in real-world projects.
• Familiarity with biosafety practices in laboratory settings.

Responsibilities

• Robot programming and control for BAB400 and other robots (arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, incubator, imaging interfaces).
• Deploy MADSci modules and integrate workcells for a unified control interface.
• Translate biological protocols into automated workflows with sequencing and error recovery.
• Integrate robot outputs with data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems.
• Develop acceptance tests, logging, and monitoring; troubleshoot hardware/software faults.
• Implement safety interlocks and compliant operating procedures.
• Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks; prepare technical assessments for leadership.
• Train staff and write standard operating procedures and technical docs.

Skills

Python programming

Robotics automation

REST APIs

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

ROS 2

Software engineering practices

Education

Engineering, CS, or Robotics degree

Tools

MADSci framework

NVIDIA Isaac Sim

Gazebo

MoveIt

OPENTRONS tooling

Distributed systems tooling

Job description

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Benefits We Offer:

• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Overview

The Laboratory Automation Engineer will program, integrate, and keep running the robots of the autonomous laboratory in Bethesda, starting with the BAB400, so that biological experiments run reliably without a person at the bench. The role builds the software layer that turns robot hardware into orchestrated, repeatable workflows, using the MADSci framework from Argonne National Laboratory. It also builds digital twins of the robots and workcells, used to plan, test, and validate protocols before they run on real hardware. The position combines hands‑on robotics work in a biological lab with production‑quality software development, and it works closely with IDSS data engineers, bioinformaticians, and the biologists who define the protocols.

Key Responsibilities

Robot programming and control. Program, calibrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots, including arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, and incubator and imaging interfaces.

MADSci integration. Deploy MADSci modules, nodes, and workcell definitions so each robot and instrument can be commanded, monitored, and scheduled through a common interface. Contribute fixes and new modules back to the framework where appropriate.

Workflow development and scheduling. Translate biological protocols (cell culture, iPSC maintenance, passaging, media exchange, imaging, sampling) into automated workflows with sequencing, timing, resource tracking, and recovery from failures.

Instrument and data integration. Connect robot and instrument outputs to the data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems maintained by IDSS, so every run is logged, traceable, and reusable.

Validation and reliability. Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, and monitoring. Troubleshoot hardware and software faults, and document root causes and fixes.

Safety and compliance. Implement interlocks and safe‑state behavior, and follow laboratory, biosafety, and NIH/HHS security requirements.

Tool evaluation. Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks, and prepare short technical assessments for IDSS leadership.

Training and documentation. Train laboratory staff to operate and recover the system, and write standard operating procedures and technical documentation.

Required Qualifications

The selection standard is demonstrated ability to get automated systems working. A degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related science is common, but equivalent practical experience is fully acceptable.

Automation experience. Several years of hands‑on experience with laboratory robotics or comparable automation, such as robotic arms, liquid handlers, plate handlers, or workcells, including installing, programming, calibrating, and troubleshooting them.

Robot software. Experience with the software that drives laboratory robots: vendor APIs and SDKs, device drivers, and orchestration or scheduling software.

Laboratory context. Some experience with robotics in a biological laboratory (cell culture, molecular biology, or assay automation), and comfort working around biological materials under biosafety practices.

Programming. Strong Python, including asynchronous or service‑style code, REST APIs, and working with hardware or network protocols (serial, TCP/IP, OPC UA, or similar).

Software engineering practices. Experience with Git, testing, and code review, and with Docker for deploying software next to hardware.

Protocol translation. Ability to read a protocol, understand what the biology requires, and turn it into a reliable automated workflow.

Communication. Strong communication skills and the ability to train laboratory staff.

Clearance. Ability to obtain and maintain NIH/HHS security clearance and meet federal contractor suitability requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with MADSci, or with similar laboratory orchestration frameworks (for example PyLabRobot, Opentrons tooling, or ROS‑based systems).

Experience with simulation platforms such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MoveIt, or similar robot simulators.

Experience with stem cell, iPSC, organoid, or tissue engineering laboratories.

Experience with self‑driving or autonomous laboratories, including closed‑loop experiments driven by ML or optimization.

Familiarity with ROS 2, robot kinematics, and computer vision for labware or sample detection.

Experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and message‑based architectures (MQTT, Redis, or similar).

Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, and metadata standards, and with FAIR data principles.

Experience with imaging instruments and plate‑based assays.

Experience building or using simulation or digital‑twin models of robotic systems, or a clear record of learning a new simulator quickly.

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: [e-mail]

This role has a market‑competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

Salary Range: $120,000 USD - $160,000 USD