Principal Robotics Engineer – Advanced Automation & Systems Integration

Vivodyne; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 245,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivodyne is seeking a Principal Robotics Engineer to advance automation in organ-on-a-chip systems. This role focuses on developing and optimizing hardware and software for high-throughput biological workflows. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in automation, robotics programming, and collaboration across disciplines.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in hardware/software design for automation.
• Hands-on expertise with automation hardware (vision systems, motion control).
• Knowledge of manufacturing technologies, microfluidics, and lab automation.

Responsibilities

• Architect and implement advanced automation systems for biological workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new features into robotics platforms.
• Identify optimization opportunities through engineering analysis.

Skills

Automation

Robotics Programming

Problem Solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering

M.S./Ph.D. preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Python

C#

C++

Job description

Principal Robotics Engineer – Advanced Automation & Systems Integration

Vivodyne creates human data before clinical trials.

We accelerate the successful discovery, design, and development of human therapeutics by testing on large, lab-grown human organ tissues at massive scale, driving technological advancement at the convergence of novel biology, robotics, and AI. We identify and validate new therapeutic targets and de-risk new therapeutic assets by producing clinically translatable multi-omic data from our proprietary, physiologically-realistic human organ tissues at unprecedented scale, speed, and quality. This enables us to produce more human data than all clinical trials in the U.S. combined. We’re financially backed by some of the most selective and successful venture funds, and we have already partnered with a majority of the top 10 multinational pharmaceutical companies to discover and develop better, safer drugs and dramatically reduce the burden of animal testing.

As a Principal Robotics Engineer at Vivodyne, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team pushing the boundaries of automated, large-scale "organ-on-a-chip" robotics and related manufacturing systems. Your focus will be on developing and optimizing hardware and software that orchestrates robotic arms, embedded controllers, and microfluidic systems to enable high-throughput, high-precision biological workflows.

This role requires expertise across hardware and software, from high-level motion control and machine vision to robotics programming and embedded firmware. You’ll work extensively with existing Python (less so with, C#, and C++) codebases, ensuring seamless system integration and performance.

Collaboration is key—you’ll engage with mechanical engineers, biologists, immunologists, AI scientists, and process engineers to design and refine automation workflows that drive breakthroughs. We’re looking for a problem solver who is comfortable working across multiple domains, thriving in a fast-paced, high-innovation environment that values continuous learning and technical excellence.

This is a full-time, onsite role where you’ll be designing, building, and testing some of the most advanced automation and high-throughput biology systems in the world.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement advanced automation systems, ranging from automated microfluidic manufacturing to high-precision mammalian cell culture platforms—all of which are mission-critical and highly visible both internally and externally.
• Develop hardware and software systems that acquire and process data reliably, ensuring smooth handoffs to production through rigorous documentation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Embrace the dynamic nature of a rapidly growing startup, working across multiple projects and disciplines—one month, you might be programming a 6DOF robotic arm repeatability to within tens of microns; the next, you could be developing firmware for a custom microfluidics cell expansion module.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product leads, tissue engineers, microfluidics specialists, and AI researchers etc. to gather requirements, set technical objectives, and integrate new features into our robotics platforms.
• Design and implement resilience mechanisms to ensure system robustness, enabling fault detection, fault recovery, and minimal downtime, while maintaining data integrity.
• Proactively identify optimization opportunities, selecting priorities through engineering analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Communicate progress and findings to internal stakeholders—including mechanical engineers, data scientists, and senior leadership—through data-laden presentations and technical reports.

Requirements, Expectations and Qualifications

Technical Expertise

Bachelor’s degree (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) in Bioengineering, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering with 10 + years of relevant experience.

Extensive experience in hardware/software design for automation, including production-level workflows.

Proficient in SolidWorks (CAM experience a plus), Python, and a systems or embedded language (C#/C++ preferred).

Strong understanding of process engineering and automation principles.

Hands-on expertise with automation hardware (vision systems, motion control, liquid handling, pick-and-place robotics).

Knowledge of manufacturing technologies, microfluidics, and lab automation.

Preferred experience in biotech, semiconductor robotics, or tissue engineering.

Bonus — Familiarity with ROS, MoveIt, RViz, Gazebo, and real-time control for industrial robots (e.g., Kuka arms).

Problem Solving & Ownership

Outcome-driven, translating technical challenges into reliable automation solutions.

Strong ownership mentality, ensuring timely, high-quality feature delivery.

Continuously optimizes and innovates robotic operations.

Works effectively with engineers, scientists, and external stakeholders.

Clearly explains robotics concepts across disciplines.

Integrates feedback to refine and improve designs.

Innovation & Leadership

Stays at the forefront of robotics, introducing new technologies and best practices.

Proactively develops novel solutions in motion planning, sensing, and automation.

If you're excited about revolutionizing automation in organoid engineering and biotech—while pushing the boundaries of robotics, AI, and advanced systems—let’s connect! Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest. We look forward to exploring the opportunity together.

$245,000 - $270,000 USD

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