Laboratory Automation Lead

Zoetis, Inc; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis, Inc. is seeking a Laboratory Automation Lead for the Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) organization in the United States.

The role leads a team delivering laboratory automation solutions within ADS, building on Zoetis' capabilities to advance assay automation. The successful candidate will partner with scientific teams, define requirements, and drive delivery from planning through execution, while ensuring operational excellence, quality, and sustained adoption of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering with at least 6 years of industry experience.
• Experience programming at least one liquid handler.
• Ability to design user-focused software interfaces for end users.
• Experience integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
• Experience with development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to translate needs into requirements and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
• Own operational excellence for automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
• Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD's automation roadmap and investment decisions.
• Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
• Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.

Skills

Automation workflow optimization

Strong communication skills

Wet lab experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

MS Degree in science or engineering (preferred)

Tools

Liquid handler programming

Job description

Zoetis is the global leader in animal health, developing innovative pharmaceutical products across the full spectrum of veterinary care. Zoetis is currently recruiting a Laboratory Automation Lead for its world-class Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) organization. In this role, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for the development and implementation of laboratory automation solutions within the Automation & Data Sciences (ADS) group. The position will build on ADS's industry-leading capabilities and help shape the next generation of assay automation at Zoetis.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
• Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
• Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD's automation roadmap and investment decisions.
• Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
• Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
• Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
• Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years' industry experience.
• Extensive experience programming at least one of the relevant liquid handlers on the market.
• Ability to understand end-user experience and design user focused software interfaces.
• Experience in integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
• Experience with the development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.

Technical Skills

• Strong background in streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from the collection of requirements through to implementation and support.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills required to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors.
• Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be a hands-on team member.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS Degree in a science or engineering field.
• Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues preferred.

Full timeRegularColleague

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.