Senior Robotics Automation Engineer

Daiichi Sankyo Co.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is seeking a Senior Robotics Automation Engineer to lead design, integration, and optimization of automated lab workcells in our Smart Research Laboratory on site in San Diego.

The role requires deep expertise in laboratory automation, system architecture, and cross-functional collaboration. You will mentor engineers, guide technology choices, and drive continuous improvement of automation capabilities to advance drug discovery and research throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, robotics, automation, computer science, life sciences or related field.
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) is preferred.
• 5–7 years hands-on experience designing, integrating, programming, validating, maintaining, and optimizing automated laboratory equipment, robotic systems, or complex scientific instrumentation in a research or biopharma environment.
• Experience leading technically complex automation projects from concept through implementation, including requirements gathering, design evaluation, vendor coordination, installation, integration, testing, validation, documentation, user training, and operational handoff.
• Advanced experience with automation platforms/orchestration software such as Hamilton Venus, Thermo Momentum, InstinctS, or comparable environments.
• Strong knowledge of laboratory robotics, instrument communication, scheduling systems, device APIs, mechanical and electrical integration, liquid handling and assay automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, implementation, testing, optimization, and lifecycle management of complex robotic and automated laboratory workcells, including integrated hardware, software, instrumentation, scheduling, and control systems.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for laboratory automation platforms, providing guidance on system architecture, workflow design, equipment selection, integration strategy, scalability, and platform reliability.
• Collaborate with scientific, engineering, informatics, facilities, IT, and operations stakeholders to translate complex research needs into scalable automated solutions that improve productivity and data quality.
• Evaluate, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced laboratory automation systems including liquid handlers, dispensers, pipettors, plate movers, robotic arms, incubators, and related instrumentation.
• Guide validation, deployment, and continuous improvement of autonomous mobile robot systems and emerging platforms in a research lab environment.

Skills

Robotics automation

Lab automation

System architecture

Cross-functional collaboration

Python/Java/C# scripting

Education

Bachelor's degree in science/engineering/robotics/automation/CS/Life sciences

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred

Tools

Hamilton Venus

Thermo Scientific Momentum

InstinctS

Job description

Job Title: Senior Robotics Automation Engineer

At Daiichi Sankyo, we are united by a single purpose, to improve lives around the world through innovative medicines. With a legacy of innovation since 1899, a presence in more than 30 countries, and more than 19,000 employees, we are advancing breakthrough therapies in oncology, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, and immune disorders. Guided by our 2030 vision to "be an innovative global healthcare company contributing to the sustainable development of society", we are shaping a healthier, more hopeful future for patients, their families, and society.

Job Summary

The Senior Robotics Automation Engineer is a highly experienced technical leader responsible for advancing the design, integration, optimization, and long-term operational strategy of robotic and automated laboratory systems within the Smart Research Laboratory.

• This role requires deep expertise in laboratory automation, engineering principles, scientific workflows, and biopharma research operations, combined with the ability to influence technical direction, guide cross-functional decision-making, and mentor less experienced engineers and scientists.
• This individual will play a critical role in shaping automation strategy, evaluating emerging technologies, translating scientific needs into scalable automation solutions, and ensuring that robotic systems deliver reliable, precise, and high-quality performance in support of advanced drug discovery and research innovation.
• In addition to hands-on technical execution, the Senior Robotics Automation Engineer will provide strategic guidance on system architecture, workflow design, vendor selection, platform sustainability, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement of automated laboratory capabilities.
• The role requires regular on-site presence due to the highly integrated, hands-on nature of laboratory robotics, instrumentation, scientific equipment, and automation workcell operations.

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, testing, optimization, and lifecycle management of complex robotic and automated laboratory workcells, including integrated hardware, software, instrumentation, scheduling, and control systems.
• Serve as a senior technical authority for laboratory automation platforms, providing expert guidance on system architecture, workflow design, equipment selection, integration strategy, operational scalability, and long-term platform reliability.
• Partner with scientific, engineering, informatics, facilities, IT, and operational stakeholders to translate complex research needs into robust, scalable, and sustainable automated solutions that improve laboratory productivity, data quality, reproducibility, and research throughput.
• Evaluate, integrate, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced laboratory automation systems, including liquid handlers, dispensers, pipettors, plate movers, robotic arms, plate sealers and desealers, acoustic transfer devices, multimodal assay readers, incubators, storage systems, and related scientific instrumentation.
• Develop, review, and optimize automation methods using orchestration and instrument-control platforms such as Momentum, Venus, InstinctS, and related automation APIs, ensuring methods are reliable, maintainable, validated, and aligned with scientific requirements.
• Provide senior-level oversight for method development, hardware integration testing, system validation, risk assessment, troubleshooting, and performance optimization across automated laboratory workflows.
• Lead or significantly contribute to automation roadmap planning, technology assessments, vendor evaluations, equipment acquisition decisions, and strategic recommendations that shape the future capabilities of the Smart Research Laboratory.
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal stakeholders to implement advanced robotics capabilities, including motion planning, multi-axis actuation, control systems, autonomous mobile robotics, device communication, and integration of novel automation technologies.
• Guide the validation, deployment, and continuous improvement of Autonomous Mobile Robot systems and other emerging automation platforms, ensuring safe, reliable, and effective operation within a research laboratory environment.
• Mentor junior automation engineers, scientists, and cross-functional users by providing technical coaching, training, design review, troubleshooting support, and best-practice guidance for automated workflows and robotic systems.
• Establish and maintain high-quality technical documentation, including system designs, integration plans, validation records, risk assessments, maintenance procedures, troubleshooting guides, and workflow specifications.
• Lead complex problem-solving efforts in a fast-paced research environment, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term platform strategy, system sustainability, safety, and scientific impact.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase automation reliability, reduce operational bottlenecks, improve assay execution quality, and expand the organization’s ability to adopt advanced automated research capabilities.

Qualifications

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in science, engineering, robotics, automation, computer science, life sciences or a related field required
• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) is preferred

Experience Qualifications

• Requires 5-7 years of hands-on experience designing, integrating, programming, validating, maintaining, and optimizing automated laboratory equipment, robotic systems, or complex scientific instrumentation in a research or biopharma environment
• Prior experience in biopharma, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, drug discovery, translational research, or advanced laboratory automation environment is required
• Demonstrated ability to lead technically complex automation projects from concept through implementation, including requirements gathering, design evaluation, vendor coordination, installation, integration, testing, validation, documentation, user training, and operational handoff.
• Advanced experience with laboratory automation platforms and orchestration software such as Hamilton Venus, Thermo Scientific Momentum, InstinctS, or comparable automation-control environments.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory robotics, instrument communication, scheduling systems, device APIs, mechanical and electrical integration, liquid handling principles, assay workflow automation, and system-level troubleshooting.
• Experience developing or supporting software tools, scripts, APIs, or applications using modern programming languages such as Python, Java, C#, or comparable languages to improve automation performance, data handling, system monitoring, or workflow control.
• Proven ability to partner with scientific teams to identify high-value automation opportunities, evaluate technical feasibility, define requirements, and deliver solutions that support research quality, throughput, reproducibility, and innovation.
• Experience influencing technical decisions, guiding platform strategy, mentoring colleagues, and providing senior-level recommendations to scientific, operational, and leadership stakeholders.

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.