Senior Automation Engineer

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation with strong‑b

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Flexible work options

Job summary

LGC Biosearch Technologies in Petaluma, CA seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead automation efforts for oligonucleotide manufacturing, including robotics, liquid handling, and instrument integration. You will assess processes, design scalable systems, and drive projects from concept through handover and validation.

The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with MSAT, Facilities, Quality, and IT, to improve productivity, quality, and data integrity in a fast-paced biotech

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field or equivalent experience.
• Senior hands-on experience designing and deploying automation systems in biotech/pharma.
• Experience with robotics, liquid handling, instrument integration, and process automation.
• Ability to translate requirements into practical, scalable automation designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation design and integration for oligonucleotide manufacturing workflows.
• Develop concepts, specifications, and commissioning documentation for automation projects.
• Support MES, LIMS, and OT systems integration with manufacturing operations.
• Provide training materials and knowledge transfer for sustainment.

Skills

Automation design

Robotics systems

Liquid handling

PLC programming

Instrumentation integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical/ mechanical/ biomedical/ mechatronics/ automation

Tools

Hamilton robotics

Beckman liquid handling

Tecan instruments

Shasta DNA synthesizers

Job description

• Compensation: USD 140,263 - USD 210,395 - yearly

Company Description

ABOUT LGC BIOSEARCH TECHNOLOGIES:

With manufacturing sites across the US, UK, Germany and Denmark, LGC Biosearch Technologies has plans to continue growing. We deliver mission critical genomics to our diverse customer base in molecular diagnostics, pharma/biotech and agrigenomics. Our integrated portfolio of products, services and expertise supports our purpose of Science for a Safer World and we have embodied our mission by working with customers to enable research into life-altering treatment for disease and illness worldwide. We are currently seeking candidates who are up for the challenge of operating in a high-growth, purpose-driven organisation.

Job Description

This is a 12-month contract position.

The Senior Automation Engineer provides senior-level technical leadership and hands-on execution for automation, robotics, liquid handling, and instrument integration projects supporting oligonucleotide manufacturing and process development activities at the Petaluma site. Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, Petaluma, this role works closely with Manufacturing, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Process Design, Facilities, Quality, Operational Technology, Enterprise Information Technology, and external vendors to design, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize automated systems that improve productivity, quality, reliability, and scalability of manufacturing operations. This role rapidly assesses current processes, identifies high-value automation opportunities, develops practical implementation plans, and executes technical solutions from concept through commissioning, operational handoff, and knowledge transfer to internal personnel.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to capably perform each of the following essential duties:

• Champion a proactive safety culture across automation and robotics engineering activities, including work around reagents, solvents, chemicals, flammables, corrosives, and automated equipment
• Design, develop, configure, and deploy automation solutions supporting oligonucleotide synthesis, liquid handling, laboratory automation, sample preparation, material movement, and manufacturing support workflows
• Evaluate manual workflows and identify automation opportunities that improve throughput, quality, process reliability, ergonomics, labor utilization, and data integrity
• Develop automation concepts, system architectures, implementation plans, functional specifications, user requirements, design specifications, test protocols, and commissioning documentation
• Configure, integrate, and troubleshoot robotic systems, liquid handling platforms, automated synthesis platforms, Shasta-related instrument integrations, plate handling workflows, reagent delivery automation, and continuous DNA processing automation initiatives
• Design and implement controls or integration approaches for pumps, valves, sensors, process monitoring equipment, programmable logic controller systems, manufacturing software, databases, and operational technology systems
• Integrate automation equipment with manufacturing execution systems (MES), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), databases, manufacturing software, data collection platforms, and operational technology systems in collaboration with Operational Technology Software, Data Engineering, and Enterprise Information Technology
• Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, corrective actions, operational readiness, and IQ/OQ/PQ or computer software assurance (CSA)-aligned validation activities for new, modified, or integrated automation systems
• Partner with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Facilities, Supply Chain, and vendors to execute automation projects while maintaining alignment with production needs and compliance expectations
• Provide knowledge transfer, training materials, work instructions, support documentation, technical handoff, and other deliverables needed for internal sustainment
• Adhere to company policies, procedures, safety expectations, data integrity requirements, and engineering standards; perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechatronics, automation engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable work experience
• Senior-level hands-on experience designing, deploying, troubleshooting, and improving automation systems in biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, or a related technical environment
• Demonstrated experience with robotics, automated liquid handling, laboratory automation, instrument integration, process automation, and/or controls engineering
• Experience developing and deploying automated equipment, robotic workcells, liquid handling systems, instrument integrations, or manufacturing automation platforms in production or process development environments
• Ability to translate manufacturing and process requirements into practical, robust, maintainable, and scalable automation designs
• Experience creating technical documentation such as requirements, design documents, control narratives, test protocols, commissioning plans, troubleshooting guides, training materials, and operational handoff records
• Working knowledge of manufacturing safety practices, data integrity expectations, engineering documentation, commissioning, operational handoff, and sustained support of automated systems
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences, including internal teams and external vendors
• Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while collaborating closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Facilities, Supply Chain, Operational Technology, Enterprise Information Technology, and external partners

Desired Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Direct experience with automated oligonucleotide, biochemical, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, or life science manufacturing processes
• Experience with automated liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton, Beckman, Tecan, Lynx, or comparable systems
• Experience with high-throughput DNA synthesizers such as Shasta, Abacus, Ark, MerMade, or comparable systems
• Experience with robotics platforms such as Universal Robots, FANUC, Epson, Precise Automation, collaborative robotics, or comparable systems
• Experience with PLC programming, sensors, valves, pumps, safety interlocks, industrial networking, OPC-UA, REST APIs, SQL databases, Python, C#, data acquisition systems, or related integration technologies
• Experience supporting GMP environments, technology transfer, scale-up, validation, CSA-aligned testing, and capital project execution
• Familiarity with MES, LIMS, manufacturing execution logic, databases, scheduling systems, or operational data systems
• PMP certification, automation certifications, controls certifications, robotics training, liquid handling platform training, PLC certifications, or manufacturing engineering certifications

Additional Information

What we offer (US based-employees):

• Competitive compensation with strong bonus program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents
• FSA/HSA Pre-tax savings plans for health care, childcare, and elder care
• Deductible Buffer Insurance and Critical Illness Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching employer contribution
• Company-paid short- and long- term disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program
• Flexible work options- 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts available with option of day, swing and night shifts.
• Pet Insurance for our furry friends
• Enhanced Parental leave of 8 additional weeks
• PTO that begins immediately
• Full week paid off during the holidays
• Town Hall monthly meeting onsite/virtual, Cheer program where employees are recognized for outstanding work, Companywide social events, frequent catered lunches and much more!

The typical pay range for this role is:Salary Range: $140,263 (Minimum) - $210,395 (Maximum)

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the California -based position. The actual base salary will depend on several factors such as: experience, skills, and location.

This position requires current U.S. work authorization. We are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship for temporary visas (including H‑1B, H‑2B, OPT, O‑1, TN)

ABOUT LGC:

LGC is a leading, global life science tools company, providing mission-critical components and solutions into high-growth application areas across the human healthcare and applied market segments. Its high-quality product portfolio is comprised of mission-critical tools for genomic analysis and for quality assurance applications, which are typically embedded and recurring within our customers’ products and workflows and are valued for their performance, quality, and range.

OUR VALUES

• PASSION
• CURIOSITY
• INTEGRITY
• BRILLIANCE
• RESPECT

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

LGC strongly believes that every job applicant and employee should be valued for their individual talents regardless of age, disability, race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion, or belief. Short listing, interviewing and selection will always be carried out without regard to gender, sexual orientation, marital status, color, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, age, or trade union membership.

LGC Group is a global life science‑based organisation delivering measurement science, standards, and assurance solutions across healthcare, pharma, and food sectors.