Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer

Vylor Inc.; Johnston (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Career development

Job summary

Vylor, Inc. in Johnston, IA is seeking a Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer to design, implement, and optimize automated workflows that accelerate research across the organization.

You will translate scientific needs into scalable automation solutions, lead projects from requirements to deployment, and partner with scientists, engineers, and vendors to advance high‑throughput lab capabilities. The ideal candidate has 7+ years in automated workflows, strong programming skills, and hands‑on

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience translating scientific needs into robust, reproducible automated workflows.
• Experience leading automation projects from requirements through deployment.
• Strong leadership and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate scientific needs into scalable automation strategies and workflows.
• Lead automation projects from definition to deployment, managing scope, schedule, risks and stakeholders.
• Develop and optimize liquid handling methods across platforms (Tecan, Hamilton, Dynamic Devices, etc.).
• Serve as senior escalation point for method failures and instrument faults, performing root cause analysis.
• Partner with engineering to build fully automated work cells integrating liquid handlers, robotics, and scheduling software.
• Collaborate with external vendors to adopt emerging technologies.
• Drive standardization of automation, software, and scientific solutions.
• Train personnel on automated workflows and safety procedures.

Skills

Automation leadership

Laboratory automation

Tecan FluentControl

Hamilton VENUS

Liquid handling

Scripting

C++

Python

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in Engineering/Life Sciences/CS

Tools

Tecan FluentControl

Hamilton VENUS

Dynamic Devices Lynx

Engineering scheduling software

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting‑edge biotech, and next‑generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.

Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.

In our mission to scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science Vylor is seeking an experienced Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer who can help drive the design, implementation, and optimization of automated laboratory workflows to accelerate research across the organization.

The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader, translating scientific needs into scalable automated workflows, integrating emerging technologies, collaborating with scientists and engineers, driving process improvements, and ensuring robust documentation and knowledge transfer across the Vylor research organization.

Responsibilities – What You’ll Do

• Work directly with researchers to understand current‑state laboratory processes, map workflow and material flow, identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and develop data‑driven automation strategies.
• Lead automation projects from requirements definition through deployment, managing scope, schedules, resources, risks, and stakeholder alignment to deliver robust automated workflows for manual laboratory processes.
• Operate as a technical leader in the development, validation and optimization of liquid handler methods across multiple platforms (Tecan, Hamilton, Dynamic Devices, etc.) defining key parameters such as deck layouts, liquid classes, labware, tip strategies, data management, and error handling.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for method failures, instrument faults, and liquid‑handling performance issues, leading root‑cause analysis and implementing timely, effective corrective solutions.
• Partner with engineering team members to design, build, and integrate fully automated work cells combining liquid handlers, robotics, peripheral instrumentation, custom equipment, and scheduling software.
• Collaborate with external vendors to identify, evaluate, and integrate emerging technologies into Vylor processes, with potential emphasis on large scale, high throughput, droplet‑based technologies.
• Collaborate with research groups throughout the company to drive standardization across automation, software, and scientific solutions.
• Train laboratory personnel on automated workflows, instrument operation, and safety procedures.

Qualifications – What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Engineering, Life Sciences, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience translating scientific needs into robust, reproducible, and scalable automated workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to operate as a senior technical lead while effectively building strong partnerships, fostering cross‑functional collaboration, and driving strategic impact across key deliverables.
• Strong understanding of typical biotechnology lab processes including genotyping, plant transformation, tissue culture, gene editing, analytical biology, and related workflows.
• Extensive experience developing and deploying automated workflows using Tecan FluentControl and Hamilton VENUS platforms, including liquid class optimization, custom scripting, device integration, worklist generation, sample tracking, and LIMS connectivity.
• Experience with other liquid handling platforms (i.e. Dynamic Devices Lynx, Agilent Bravo, etc.) is a plus but not required.
• Experience with microfluidic based systems is a plus but not required.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as HSL, C++, Python, Visual Basic, or similar languages.
• Experience integrating multiple instruments and robotics into automated work cells, including the use of scheduling software to coordinate and execute complex workflows.
• Demonstrated hands‑on expertise in diagnosing and resolving laboratory automation equipment failures through direct operation, troubleshooting, testing, component replacement, and system optimization.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both scientific and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage and advance multiple projects concurrently within an interdisciplinary research environment.
• High level of initiative, creativity, and willingness to learn along with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Must have the right to work in the U.S. without restriction.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well‑being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.

Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.