Laboratory Automation Engineer

The Automation Engineer is responsible for the development, deployment, optimization, and support of automated systems and software tools (including robotic workcells, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments) in both production and R&D environments. This role focuses on the development of individual workflows and requires a strong foundation in technical troubleshooting.

The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand requirements and drive engineering projects of medium to high complexity with professional guidance.

Primary Responsibilities

Working under the guidance of their manager and senior members of the organization:

• Develop new automation to enable production workflows for new assays or enhancements to existing workflows.
• Design system requirements and implement automation scripts and user interfaces. Develop helper applications (e.g., in C#, Python) for data handling and integration with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Develop systems for diverse environments, including long-term stable production workflows and short-term R&D testing environments.
• Create User and Functional Requirements documentation for new workflows.
• Develop, perform, and document test protocols and method qualifications for new workflows on automated systems.
• Take ownership of assigned projects and provide timely status reports to project leadership and management.
• Execute defined development and continuous improvement projects to enhance system performance.
• Handle complex troubleshooting where the source of the issue is unknown, collaborating with cross-functional teams (e.g., Development, Engineering, Operations, and Data Science) to resolve issues.
• Provide high-level support to the service and engineering teams.
• Continuously learn and expand the knowledge base regarding automated equipment, controlling software, and scheduling tools.
• Adhere to Good Documentation Practices (GDP), lab safety protocols, and all relevant regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, a related scientific field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience in laboratory automation engineering.
• Proficiency in automation and systems development/integration within the life sciences industry, specifically with robotics and liquid handling platforms.
• Experience in software programming and data handling (including database work) is highly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects with strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in using controlling and scheduling software for laboratory automation.
• Skills in programming languages such as C# or Python for data handling and system integration.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, particularly in diagnosing complex issues within integrated hardware/software systems.
• Understanding of Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and safety/regulatory standards in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to work effectively within a team-oriented environment and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Flexibility to support rapidly changing requirements in a dynamic R&D environment while maintaining the stability required for production.

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!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

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.

Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-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.

For more information

• BBB announcement on job scams
• FBI Cyber Crime resource page