Senior Automation Support Engineer

Natera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Generous paid time off

Fertility care benefits

Pregnancy and baby bonding leave

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Natera is seeking a Senior Automation Support Engineer to implement and support automated systems for processing samples in R&D and clinical diagnostics labs. You will collaborate with the RUO team to maintain liquid handlers and other automation equipment, while driving improvements and service solutions to boost efficiency.

The role requires hands-on experience with robotics and liquid handling platforms, strong documentation skills, and flexibility to cover shifts as needed.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Biomedical engineering, closely related scientific field, or equivalent; MS degree preferred
• 5+ years of laboratory automation engineering experience required
• Technical proficiency and experience in automation and systems development and integration for the life science industry; especially with robotics and liquid handling systems
• Experience in computer programming or basic understanding of method writing is required
• The RUO laboratory operates during a M-F 7am-3pm and M-F 9am-5pm shift. This position must be flexible to respond to issues that may arise during these shift times.
• Should have a flexible schedule to accommodate later hours if needed.

Responsibilities

• Support liquid handling robots including troubleshooting and qualification procedures
• Build knowledge on hardware and software on multiple types of laboratory automated liquid handlers, such as Hamilton STAR, Vantage, Beckman Biomek I7
• Build rapport with end-users, and coordinate with cross-functional teams
• Prepare documentation for equipment qualification, operation, and maintenance procedures to ensure successful implementation and ongoing use of liquid handlers
• Perform routine maintenance on liquid handling equipment
• Prepare User Requirement and Testing Procedure, Standard Operating Procedures, and related documentations
• Oversee functional and validation testing (IQ/OQ/PQ) of automated laboratory equipment
• Additional responsibilities include user training, troubleshooting, and on-going support for the end-users

Skills

Robotics support

Laboratory automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Documentation

Training end-users

Education

BS in Biomedical engineering

MS degree preferred

Tools

Hamilton STAR

Hamilton Vantage

Beckman Biomek I7

Job description

The Senior Automation Support Engineer within the R&D Automation Department will contribute to the implementation and on-going support of automated systems and workflows to support the processing of samples in R&D and clinical diagnostics laboratory environments. This individual will specifically collaborate with the RUO (Research Use Only) department, working with a team of scientists and engineers on prioritization of supporting their fleet of liquid handlers and various automated systems. There will also be project opportunities to conceptualize, design, implement and support service solutions which are designed to optimize the performance of the RUO liquid handlers and increase the efficiency of their laboratory processes.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support liquid handling robots including troubleshooting and qualification procedures
• Build knowledge on hardware and software on multiple types of laboratory automated liquid handlers, such as Hamilton STAR, Vantage, Beckman Biomek I7
• Build rapport with end-users, and coordinate with cross-functional teams
• Prepare documentation for equipment qualification, operation, and maintenance procedures to ensure successful implementation and ongoing use of liquid handlers
• Perform routine maintenance on liquid handling equipment
• Prepare User Requirement and Testing Procedure, Standard Operating Procedures, and related documentations
• Oversee functional and validation testing (IQ/OQ/PQ) of automated laboratory equipment
• Additional responsibilities include user training, troubleshooting, and on-going support for the end-users

QUALIFICATIONS

• BS degree in Biomedical engineering, closely related scientific field, or equivalent; MS degree preferred
• 5+ years of laboratory automation engineering experience required
• Technical proficiency and experience in automation and systems development and integration for the life science industry; especially with robotics and liquid handling systems
• Experience in computer programing or basic understanding of method writing is required
• The RUO laboratory operates during a M-F 7am-3pm and M-F 9am-5pm shift. This position must be flexible to respond to issues that may arise during these shift times.
• Should have a flexible schedule to accommodate later hours if needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong project management skills, organizational skills, and written and verbal communication skills are required
• Flexibility and self-initiative required to support several simultaneous automation projects
• Biotech, pharmaceutical, Lab automation providers, or clinical-laboratory experience is highly desirable

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and skills considerations.

This positionis also eligible for additional compensation and benefits throughNatera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$122,700 - $153,400 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.