Manager Automation Engineer

Abbott Laboratories; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

FreeU education benefit

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories in La Jolla, CA seeks a Manager Automation Engineer to lead the design and deployment of automated lab solutions for pre-analytic processing, immunoassays, and NGS-based workflows in a regulated setting.

The role requires 10+ years with automated liquid handling in CLIA/CAP/ISO environments or 6+ years with Hamilton systems, and a strong ability to deliver scalable, reliable automation across sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science or related field.
• Experience with automated liquid handlers in regulated environments (CLIA/CAP/ISO).
• Strong troubleshooting and cross-team collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust methods for deployment of laboratory machine software across multiple sites.
• Program automated liquid handling platforms to meet assay workflows.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and project teams to address automation needs.
• Ensure robust automation software integration with LIMS and hardware systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-team communication

Troubleshooting

Fast-paced environment

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science

Masters/PhD (preferred)

Tools

Hamilton Venus

Hamilton liquid handlers

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution.
• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

Position Overview

The Manager Automation Engineer will join a highly collaborative, cross-functional team across R&D, Operations and Technology to develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for pre-analytical sample processing, Immunoassay and Next-Generation Sequencing based assays in support of a high complexity laboratory developed test. The successful candidate will help set our strategy for automated solutions and has experience leading a collaborative, fast-paced team to build scalable, highly integrated automation platform which enable users to reliably and efficiently deliver timely, high-quality results in regulated environment.

This is an onsite position at our La Jolla office.

Essential Duties

• Include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Develop robust methods for the management and deployment of laboratory machine software to ensure concordant assay performance on hardware located in multiple sites.
• Develop automated solutions through programming of liquid handling robotics platforms to meet the requirements of existing assay workflows.
• Identify and address unmet automation needs through collaboration with scientists, engineers and project teams.
• Ensure accurate and robust automation software integration with external systems (LIMS, integrated hardware, etc.) through the development of Installation and Operational Qualification procedures.
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
• Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 50% of a typical working day.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day.
• Ability to grasp with both hands; pinch with thumb and forefinger; turn with hand/arm; reach above shoulder height.
• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to use various types of laboratory equipment; including microscopes, microtomes, blades, strainers, and pipettes for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use near vision to view samples at close range.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
• Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science or related field.
• 10+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.) or 6+ years of specialized experience with Hamilton liquid handlers.
• High attention to detail and proven ability to effectively communicate across teams located at multiple sites.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with a team of scientists.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and demands.
• Familiarity with Next-Generation sequencing and/or common molecular biology laboratory workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Masters/PhD) in Life Sciences or related field as outlined in the essential duties.
• Demonstrated Hamilton Venus programming experience.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully automating Next-Generation Sequencing library preparation assays on Hamilton liquid handlers from feasibility to product launch.

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

https://abbottbenefits.com/

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at abbott.com, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AbbottCareers.

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 - $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.