Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer

Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer
 
Up to: $140000/Annually

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Job Number
ITAQG2187180

JOB DESCRIPTION
 seeking a Lead Lab Robotics and Automation Engineer in Lewisville, TX. Summary: If you enjoy building automation that runs reliably at scale-and being the person teams count on when systems need to perform 24/7-this role offers real ownership. You will serve as the technical lead for laboratory robotics and liquid-handling automation, driving new workflow development, deployment, and long-term sustainment across production and R&D environments. This is a high-impact position for someone who likes solving complex problems, improving uptime, and turning scientific workflows into robust, repeatable automated processes. Duties:

Lead automation design and rollout: Deliver advanced robotic automation solutions and integrate them into production and R&D workflows with high reliability
Build and optimize liquid-handler methods: Develop complex scripts/methods (primarily Hamilton/Venus) with strong error handling, recovery logic, custom liquid classes, simulations, and data checks
Keep critical systems running: Drive troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for integrated automation systems to protect turnaround times and maximize uptime
Use metrics to improve performance: Analyze automation performance and sample/run data to identify failure patterns, tune methods, and raise system resilience
Mentor and guide: Provide technical leadership and coaching to engineers, scientists, and operational staff on best practices, capabilities, and troubleshooting
Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate with R&D, bioinformatics, operations, and facilities to ensure workflows are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready
Own validation and documentation: Lead verification, system testing, and qualification documentation for new hardware, software, and integrations
Support continuous operations: Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs for advanced instruments in a 24/7 environment, including vendor engagement when needed
Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent practical experience where applicable)
7+ years developing and deploying complex automation scripts on liquid-handling platforms
Hands-on Hamilton experience required (Tecan strongly preferred)
Strong expertise in method development, error recovery logic, and method validation
Experience designing, executing, and optimizing molecular assay workflows (e.g., NGS or other high-complexity molecular methods)
Proven ability to troubleshoot integrated automation systems and resolve production-impacting issues
Comfortable using system and instrument metrics to guide design decisions and reliability improvements
Solid foundation in software/system testing and validation practices
Nice to have:
Led cross-site deployments or served as technical lead for large integration programs
Familiarity with scheduling/orchestration tools (e.g., HighRes, Biosero) and LIMS integrations
Instrument vendor application/service engineering background
Programming experience (Python, C++, Java, C#) and version control (Git/GitHub)
Exposure to IVD design controls and/or CAP/CLIA environments
The attributes that succeed here:
Independent, proactive problem solver who anticipates issues before they impact operations
Strong communicator who can translate technical detail for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Organized and execution-focused-able to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion
Collaborative leader who influences without needing formal authority