Job Description
The Lab Automation Engineer will be a part of a team dedicated to designing, implementing, and validating automation solutions, across various automation platforms (Hamilton/Biomek/etc.), with a moderate degree of supervision. This role will support multiple disease areas and advance automation capabilities within Vertex Cell & Genetic Therapies. This role will develop an understanding of the research and development processes in order to establish new capabilities and improve efficiencies through automation enhancements.
This is an onsite position at our Leiden Center research site in Boston.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Translates manual research and development processes into the design of automation systems.
- Troubleshoots standard system problems by analyzing information to make judgments; documents identified solutions.
- Supports daily operations, commissioning, and validation activities while working in cross-functional teams.
- Works to identify continuous improvement opportunities and participates in driving them from conception through implementation.
- Participates in automation design for both continuous and batch processes.
- Provide technical guidance in the operation of the automation system and participates in the advancement of current automation capabilities and the design and implementation of new automation capabilities.
- Complies with all relevant safety and GMP procedures.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Utilizing Hamilton and Biomek automation programming, method development, and general maintenance
- Scheduling software for integrated automation work cells
- Method development, optimization, and deployment of both highthroughput cell-based and biochemical assays
- Working with automated data capture software
- Some experience with common scripting languages (i.e., Python, R, C, C++) and basic familiarity with SQL databases.
- Familiarity with version control tools such as Git, and experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment practices preferred
- Assisting large matrix technical teams to reach successful outcomes under accelerated timelines across broad disease areas and therapeutic modalities
- Experience of being part of large matrix technical teams to reach successful outcomes under accelerated timelines.
- Written and verbal communication skills to exchange straight forward information and confirm understanding
Education and Experience:
- Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree in chemical engineering, computer sciences or related field and 1 years experience in life sciences, engineering or academia
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Pay Range:
$85,600 - $128,400Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
On-Site DesignatedFlex Eligibility Status:
In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
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Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, computer sciences, or related field with ~1 year experience in life sciences, engineering, or academia.
- Experience with Hamilton and Biomek automation programming, method development, and general maintenance.
- Experience in method development, optimization, and deployment of high-throughput cell-based and biochemical assays.
- Experience working with automated data capture software and scheduling software for integrated automation work cells.
- Some experience with scripting languages (Python, R, C, C++) and basic familiarity with SQL databases.
- Familiarity with version control tools such as Git and experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment practices.
- Ability to troubleshoot, support commissioning and validation activities, and document solutions.
- Knowledge of and compliance with relevant safety and GMP procedures.
- Written and verbal communication skills for exchanging straightforward information and confirming understanding.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vertex Pharmaceuticals and has not been reviewed or approved by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies provide 12 weeks of 100% paid bonding leave for all U.S. parents with additional fully paid time for birth parents. Family-forming supports include adoption and surrogacy assistance, fertility options like IVF and egg cryopreservation, breast‑milk shipping, subsidized childcare, backup care, and a DCFSA match.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes roughly four weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, sick time, and two companywide shutdowns (summer and year‑end). Some roles also include flexible or unlimited time off and paid volunteer time.
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Retirement Support — Programs include a 401(k) plan with employer contributions and an employee stock purchase plan. Filings describe employer contributions occurring in company stock, supporting long‑term ownership.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Insights
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.
