Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer - Biologics Engineering Biologics Engineering

AstraZeneca; Kendall Square (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

AstraZeneca in Kendall Square, MA, is seeking a Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer to lead the design, integration, and optimization of robotics, high-throughput systems, and data workflows across Biologics Engineering. You will build platforms that connect instruments, software, and labware into scalable, reliable solutions.

The role requires hands-on automation expertise, scripting, and labware knowledge, with collaboration across scientists in a matrix organization to deliver durable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or related field; 4+ years of industry experience.
• Experience integrating automation with R&D bench science in biologics, drug discovery, or related setting.
• Hands-on experience with diverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and high-throughput analytic technologies.
• Proficiency in automation scheduling software and programming of liquid-handling platforms; experience with robotics scripts.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and optimize robotics, high-throughput systems, and data workflows across Biologics Engineering.
• Partner with scientists to translate assay goals into fit-for-purpose automation solutions.
• Own reliability and continuous improvement of shared automation systems and workflows.
• Support ongoing operation and troubleshooting of deployed automated workflows.
• Mentor/junior engineers and scientists and influence automation strategy across the team.

Skills

Lab automation

Liquid handling

Scripting

Robotics

Hamilton

Data workflows

Communication

Team mentoring

Education

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

Tools

Hamilton hardware

Dynamic Devices

Job description

Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer - Biologics Engineering

Biologics Engineering (BE) , part of Oncology 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.

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 platforms that 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 authority across 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 improvement of 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 troubleshooting of deployed automated workflows to ensure sustained performance and rapid resolution of technical issues.
• Grow the technical capability of the team by 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, with 4+ 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 with diverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and/or high-throughput analytical technologies .
• Practical experience with liquid 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.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative and driving durable improvements to 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 with orchestration platforms (e.g., Green Button Go, Thermo Momentum, Cellario).
• Working knowledge of Python, 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 through conference presentations, publications, patents, or external vendor/partner collaborations .

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