Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer — Biologics Engineering Biologics Engineering

AstraZeneca plc; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-term incentives

Equity-based awards

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

AstraZeneca plc is seeking a Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer to lead the design, integration, and optimization of robotics, high-throughput systems, and data workflows within Biologics Engineering. You will connect instruments, workflow control, data systems, and labware into scalable platforms with a strong ownership mindset.

The role requires deep automation expertise, scripting skill, and experience in biologics/drug discovery environments, with a focus on reliability and data quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or a related field, 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 technologies. Includes liquid class development and labware definition, evaluation, or optimization.
• Expertise in automation scheduling software and programming of liquid-handling platforms; experience with Hamilton and Dynamic Devices preferred.
• Strong understanding of how equipment capabilities affect data quality and experimental outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver robust, scalable automation platforms that connect instruments, workflows, and data systems across BE.
• Serve as the technical authority across automation platforms and scripting environments; guide design decisions and resolve issues.
• Own the reliability and continuous improvement of shared automation systems and workflows.

Skills

Automation scripting

Liquid handling

Data workflow

Communication skills

Matrix teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in life sciences/engineering/computer science

Tools

Hamilton platform

Dynamic Devices

Job description

Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer — Biologics Engineering

Biologics Engineering (BE), part ofOncology R&D, is transforming biologics discovery through the integration of laboratory automation, advanced informatics, and AI. We are building next-generation capabilities to accelerate workflows, improve data quality, and enable smarter scientific decision-making. This is an exciting time for the organization as we create an industry-leading biologics discovery platform that unites scientific excellence, automation, and digital innovation.

We are seeking aSenior Automation Scientist/Engineerto help drive this transformation by embedding laboratory automation and robotics into our workflows and shaping the future of biologics discovery science.

About the Role

The Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer will lead the design, integration, and optimization of robotics, high-throughput systems, and associated data workflows across the BE organization—building solutions that connect instruments, workflow control, data systems, and labware into platforms that are robust, scalable, and operationally sustainable. The successful candidate will bring a strong sense of ownership, taking responsibility for the reliability and long-term performance of our platforms.

Working in a matrix organization, they will partner closely with scientists to understand assay goals, advise on the most effective automation approaches, and translate scientific requirements into fit-for-purpose solutions. Success in this role depends on pairing strong expertise in laboratory automation, scripting, and liquid handling with a clear understanding of the underlying science and how equipment capabilities and design choices affect data quality and reproducibility.

Typical Accountabilities

• Deliver robust, scalable automation platformsthat integrate high-throughput, bench-scale, and related laboratory systems—partnering with scientists to document and map workflows, capture assay requirements, and translate them into fit-for-purpose automation solutions.
• Serve as the technical authorityacross multiple automation platforms, scheduling software, and scripting environments—guiding design decisions, resolving complex technical issues, and advising on how equipment capabilities and limitations shape data quality and scientific outcomes.
• Own the reliability and continuous improvementof shared automation systems and workflows, identifying root causes, driving durable fixes, and raising the operational performance of the platform over time.
• Support the ongoing operation and troubleshootingof deployed automated workflows to ensure sustained performance and rapid resolution of technical issues.
• Grow the technical capability of the teamby training, mentoring, or supervising junior engineers and scientists, and by influencing scientific thinking and project direction across the automation community and broader stakeholder network.

Qualifications and Skills

Essential

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or a related field, with4+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Experience integrating automation with R&D bench science in a biologics, drug discovery, or related life sciences setting.
• Deep hands-on experience withdiverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and/or high-throughput analytical technologies. Practical experience withliquid class development and labware definition, evaluation, or optimization.
• Expertise in automation scheduling software and advanced programming of liquid-handling platforms, including the development, modification, and troubleshooting of robotics and automation scripts. Experience with Hamilton and Dynamic Devices platforms is preferred.
• Strong understanding of the science underpinning laboratory workflows and assays, and how equipment capabilities and limitations affect automation design and data quality.
• Demonstrated proficiency in creating process maps from laboratory SOPs and process requirements.
• Strongcommunication skillsand demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Demonstratedtrack record of taking initiative and driving durable improvementsto systems, workflows, or team practices.

Desirable

• Track record of delivering automation solutions in a biologics discovery setting and influencing scientific direction and technical strategy in automation-related projects.
• Experience implementing automation withorchestration platforms(e.g., Green Button Go, Thermo Momentum, Cellario).
• Working knowledge ofPython, C#, or similar languages, practical experience in database connectivity, data management, and extracting data from ASCII/delimited files to enable automation-related informatics integration and data-driven science.
• Contributions to technology innovation throughconference presentations, publications, patents, or external vendor/partner collaborations.

The annual base pay (or hourly rate of compensation) for this position ranges from $124,713.60 to $187,070.40. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.

Date Posted

06-Oct-2026

Closing Date

30-Oct-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.