Sr. Process Development & Automation Engineer

Abbott (abbottcareers2 board); Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in Phoenix, AZ hires a Senior Engineer for Process Development & Automation. The role leads design, implementation, and support of process automation hardware, software, and lab instruments, collaborating with internal and external partners to optimize workflows in a dynamic clinical laboratory environment.

Your work will guide automation selection, system design, integration, commissioning, and project documentation, driving new technologies and ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering design, platform eligibility testing, systems integration, and performance testing.
• Manage moderately complex projects within a platform or business unit with planning and prioritization.
• Provide input for project design, estimate effort, and translate bench protocols to automation systems.
• Lead troubleshooting of laboratory systems and advise on corrective actions.
• Maintain documentation and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor service engineers and technicians, and communicate complex information clearly.

Skills

Process automation

Laboratory instruments

Systems integration

Project leadership

Technical mentorship

Job description

Job description:

Location: Phoenix, AZ (US) | Employment type: Full-time | Travel: ~10%

Position Overview

The Senior Engineer, Process Development & Automation leads, manages, implements, and provides technical engineering support for a variety of process automation hardware, software applications, and laboratory instruments. This position collaborates cross-functionally with internal and external partners to enhance existing workflows and develop new automated workflows in a complex, rapidly evolving clinical laboratory.

Responsibilities may include guiding the Lab Service, Process Development & Automation, and Laboratory Operations teams through automation selection, system design, integration, commissioning, and project documentation. The role's influence extends to technical, quality, and business teams, as well as other engineers within laboratory operations. The Senior Engineer is expected to make new processes, systems, validation methods, and projects successful.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Design & Project Leadership

• Develop process architectures and functional specifications based on user and workflow requirements.
• Lead planning activities and conduct complex engineering design, platform eligibility testing, systems integration, and performance testing.
• Manage moderately complex projects and initiatives, typically within one platform or business organization, applying project leadership skills in planning, delegating, influencing, and managing priorities.
• Provide input for project design and development, and accurately estimate task effort, including work performed by others.
• Take scientific bench protocols from the bench to the automation system.
• Contribute creative, practical ideas and insights on new technologies, testing methodologies, applications, techniques, and procedures.
• Make decisions involving complex issues, working autonomously and checking in with the supervisor or project lead as decisions are made.

Instrumentation & Automation Lifecycle

• Work with project managers and cross-functional teams on user requirements, factory acceptance tests, validation planning, site acceptance tests, pre-installation planning, initial installation, setup, maintenance, and improvement for new or upgraded instrumentation and automation systems.
• Lead recommendations and implementation of changes that ensure ongoing high-quality performance of laboratory equipment.
• Lead technical investigation and troubleshooting of laboratory systems.
• Independently address routine issues using documented procedures and historical case research.
• Support and respond to complex system problems, counseling internal and external vendors and Laboratory Service Engineers on corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain oversight of the quality of mechanical repairs and related documentation.
• Lead continuous improvement projects that drive cost reduction and lab efficiency.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure new and existing instrumentation (automation and non-automation) meets safety requirements and compliance standards.
• Maintain records and follow laboratory procedures to meet regulatory requirements such as FDA, CLIA, and/or CAP.
• Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the maintenance schedule and maintain detailed records.

Collaboration, Mentorship & Communication

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to service engineers, laboratory technicians, junior engineers, and other members of the Process Development & Automation team, acting as a role model on technical issues.
• Actively and constructively contribute to others' designs through design reviews within the organization.
• Facilitate reuse by communicating available technologies and opportunities across the organization.
• Present factual information and convey very complex information clearly, in both written and oral form.
• Influence others, gain acceptance, and build consensus.
• Communicate issues, problems, and results that affect timelines, accuracy, and reliability of data.
• Bring company and industry knowledge and creative technical/scientific skills to product creation; be recognized as a content or sub-discipline specialist across the company.
• Understand internal and external customer needs and how they affect business unit products and services.
• Continuously develop personal knowledge and expertise related to the service of complex clinical laboratory equipment.
• Uphold the company mission and values through pioneering, achieving, caring, and enduring.
• Regularly demonstrate leadership behaviors: Pioneering, achieving, caring, and enduring.

Skills & Competenc