Senior Automation Scientist - Biologics & Robotics

AstraZeneca plc; Gaithersburg (MD); On-site; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentive bonuses

Equity-based awards

Retirement programs and paid time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer in the Biologics Engineering group to embed laboratory automation and robotics into discovery workflows in Gaithersburg, MD. You will design, integrate, and optimize robotics and high-throughput systems, connecting instruments and data platforms into scalable, reliable platforms.

We seek hands-on experts in automation, scripting, and liquid handling with a strong science background, capable of driving durable improvements and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, with 4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience integrating automation with R&D bench science in biologics, drug discovery, or related life sciences setting.
• Hands-on experience with diverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and high-throughput analytical technologies; labware definition, evaluation or optimization.
• Expertise in automation scheduling software and programming for liquid handler platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Labcyte, Agilent); scripting
• Understanding of how equipment capabilities affect data quality and assay outcomes.
• Strong communication and ability to work independently in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Proven initiative and track record of durable improvements to systems or workflows.

Responsibilities

• Deliver robust, scalable automation platforms that integrate high-throughput and bench-scale systems; document workflows and translate assay requirements into automation solutions.
• Serve as the technical authority across multiple automation platforms, scheduling software, and scripting environments; guide design decisions and troubleshoot.
• Own the reliability and continuous improvement of shared automation systems and workflows; identify root causes and implement durable fixes.
• Support ongoing operation and troubleshooting of deployed automated workflows to ensure sustained performance.
• Mentor and grow the technical capability of the automation team and influence project direction across the organization.

Skills

Laboratory automation

Scripting

Liquid handling

High-throughput systems

Automation platforms

Programming (Python/C#)

Data management

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science

Tools

Hamilton

Labcyte

Agilent

Job description

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer in the Biologics Engineering group to embed laboratory automation and robotics into discovery workflows in Gaithersburg, MD. You will design, integrate, and optimize robotics and high-throughput systems, connecting instruments and data platforms into scalable, reliable platforms.

We seek hands-on experts in automation, scripting, and liquid handling with a strong science background, capable of driving durable improvements and