Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer

ESR Healthcare; Lewisville (TX); On-site; USD 126,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Staff Recruiters / ESR Healthcare in Lewisville, TX is seeking a Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer to own the development of scalable automation and 24/7 operation across production and R&D environments. You will lead design, validation, and deployment of advanced liquid-handling systems (Hamilton/Venus) and drive cross-functional collaboration.

The role requires 7+ years of hands-on automation scripting, deep experience with Hamilton, and strong problem-solving and mentoring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years developing and deploying complex automation scripts on liquid-handling platforms.
• Hands-on Hamilton experience required (Tecan strongly preferred).
• Strong expertise in method development, error recovery logic, and method validation.
• Experience designing, executing, and optimizing molecular assay workflows (e.g., NGS or other high-complexity molecular methods).
• Proven ability to troubleshoot integrated automation systems and resolve production-impacting issues.
• Comfortable using system and instrument metrics to guide design decisions and reliability improvements.
• Solid foundation in software/system testing and validation practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation design and rollout: Deliver advanced robotic automation solutions and integrate them into production and R&D workflows with high reliability.
• Build and optimize liquid-handler methods: Develop complex scripts/methods (primarily Hamilton/Venus) with strong error handling, recovery logic, custom liquid classes, simulations, and data checks.
• Keep critical systems running: Drive troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for integrated automation systems to protect turnaround times and maximize uptime.
• Use metrics to improve performance: Analyze automation performance and sample/run data to identify failure patterns, tune methods, and raise system resilience.
• Mentor and guide: Provide technical leadership and coaching to engineers, scientists, and operational staff on best practices, capabilities, and troubleshooting.
• Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate with R&D, bioinformatics, operations, and facilities to ensure workflows are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready.
• Own validation and documentation: Lead verification, system testing, and qualification documentation for new hardware, software, and integrations.
• Support continuous operations: Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs for advanced instruments in a 24/7 environment, including vendor engagement when needed.

Skills

Automation scripting

Python

C++

Java

C#

Problem solving

Leadership/Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Hamilton/Venus

LIMS integrations

Git/GitHub

Job description

Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer
Up to: $140000/Annually

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Job Number
ITAQG2187180

Job Description

seeking a Lead Lab Robotics and Automation Engineer in Lewisville, TX. Summary: If you enjoy building automation that runs reliably at scale-and being the person teams count on when systems need to perform 24/7-this role offers real ownership. You will serve as the technical lead for laboratory robotics and liquid-handling automation, driving new workflow development, deployment, and long-term sustainment across production and R&D environments. This is a high-impact position for someone who likes solving complex problems, improving uptime, and turning scientific workflows into robust, repeatable automated processes.

Duties

• Lead automation design and rollout: Deliver advanced robotic automation solutions and integrate them into production and R&D workflows with high reliability
• Build and optimize liquid-handler methods: Develop complex scripts/methods (primarily Hamilton/Venus) with strong error handling, recovery logic, custom liquid classes, simulations, and data checks
• Keep critical systems running: Drive troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for integrated automation systems to protect turnaround times and maximize uptime
• Use metrics to improve performance: Analyze automation performance and sample/run data to identify failure patterns, tune methods, and raise system resilience
• Mentor and guide: Provide technical leadership and coaching to engineers, scientists, and operational staff on best practices, capabilities, and troubleshooting
• Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate with R&D, bioinformatics, operations, and facilities to ensure workflows are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready
• Own validation and documentation: Lead verification, system testing, and qualification documentation for new hardware, software, and integrations
• Support continuous operations: Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs for advanced instruments in a 24/7 environment, including vendor engagement when needed

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent practical experience where applicable)
• 7+ years developing and deploying complex automation scripts on liquid-handling platforms
• Hands-on Hamilton experience required (Tecan strongly preferred)
• Strong expertise in method development, error recovery logic, and method validation
• Experience designing, executing, and optimizing molecular assay workflows (e.g., NGS or other high-complexity molecular methods)
• Proven ability to troubleshoot integrated automation systems and resolve production-impacting issues
• Comfortable using system and instrument metrics to guide design decisions and reliability improvements
• Solid foundation in software/system testing and validation practices

Nice to have

• Led cross-site deployments or served as technical lead for large integration programs
• Familiarity with scheduling/orchestration tools (e.g., HighRes, Biosero) and LIMS integrations
• Instrument vendor application/service engineering background
• Programming experience (Python, C++, Java, C#) and version control (Git/GitHub)
• Exposure to IVD design controls and/or CAP/CLIA environments

Attributes that Succeed Here

• Independent, proactive problem solver who anticipates issues before they impact operations
• Strong communicator who can translate technical detail for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Organized and execution-focused-able to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion
• Collaborative leader who influences without needing formal authority