GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. GRAIL, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN). For more information, please visit www.grail.com.

As the Associate Director of Engineering Operations, you will lead a key operations team that oversees technical engineering support for a variety of process automation hardware, software applications and laboratory instruments to support smooth production lab operations. Working cross-functionally with Operations, R&D, Finance and Software groups you will drive a robust high throughput sample processing operations with your leadership of a team of talented system and equipment engineers. The successful candidate will be a scientist or engineer with a proven track record of supporting complex systems as well as implementing continuous process improvements in a regulated production setting. 

You Will:

• Build and manage a team of engineers with the diverse scientific and technical skills required to support, troubleshoot and improve complex automation systems in a regulated environment
• Establish a world class support team to address issues in a timely manner and maximize the system up time for 24x7 operations
• Provide guidance and priorities to implement process optimization to improve efficiency, throughput and robustness
• Establish operational objectives and work plans, delegate and empower team members
• Oversee service contracts and CAPEX spends for operations group
• Work closely with Quality and regulatory to implement and follow the required policies and procedures for system qualification, maintenance
• Work closely with Operations team and finance on planning equipment and resource needs for scale up to meet capacity requirements
• Work together with R&D and software for successful technology transfer and further workflow improvements
• Support engineering and automation needs of operations group
• Stay abreast of technological advances that can be implemented to drive process improvement, throughput, and cost

Your Background Will Include:

• B.S. Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering or related field
• 10 years of industry experience in biotechnology with at least 5 years of resource and people management experience
• 7 years of combined experience in automation and engineering in a regulated production setting
• Experience supporting high throughput production laboratories
• Experience managing cross functional projects and implementing new workflows
• Experience programming automated liquid handlers (Hamilton, Beckman Biomek, Tecan, etc.)
• Proven track record building and leading engineering teams
• Experience with LIMS and software integration
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

GRAIL is an Equal Employment Office and Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We will reasonably accommodate all individuals with disabilities so that they can participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Following extensive monitoring, research, consideration of business implications, and advice from internal and external experts, GRAIL has made the decision to require all U.S. employees receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment. “Full vaccination” is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks since a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.