Robotics and Automation Support Engineer

Role Description

We are seeking a biologist or biochemist with mechanical and/or electronics acumen to join the Laboratory Instrument Support Team as a Robotics and Automation Support Engineer.  This role would help bridge the scientist and support engineer realms to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of our liquid handling, sample management and other automation instruments.  The ideal candidate will possess an understanding of biology/biochemistry and how robotics/automation are used to perform key research tasks while wanting to apply mechanical/electronic acumen for maintenance and troubleshooting activities.   This role will work with minimum supervision on multiple equipment support tasks including but not limited to coordinating vendor technical service visits/calls, non-scheduled break-fix support, troubleshooting equipment, evaluation of equipment needs in partnership with science groups to determine appropriate use and selection of instrumentation, assisting with equipment installation and commissioning.

Responsibilities:

• Works independently and within a cross functional highly collaborative team environment to provide advanced support and troubleshooting on a wide range of complex robotic liquid handing platforms, sample management systems, flow cytometers, and other automation-based instrumentation. 
• Conduct routine maintenance, calibration, and reliability assessments of automation instruments to ensure accurate and reliable results.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues with robotic liquid handing platforms, sample management and other automation-based instruments, implementing effective solutions to minimize downtime.
• Has regular discussions with science groups about their needs and applications of robotics/automation to execute their scientific research.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks to extend the lifespan of automation instruments and prevent unexpected failures.
• Stay current with advancements in robotics and automation technology and recommend upgrades or modifications to enhance performance.
• Assist scientific personnel with the evaluation and implementation of new/adjacent laboratory technologies.
• Document maintenance activities, including procedures, issues encountered, and resolutions implemented, to maintain a comprehensive record.
• Adhere to all GxP compliance requirements and provides technical input for department SOP development. 
• Train laboratory staff on proper usage, handling, and basic troubleshooting of liquid handling robotics and sample management instruments.
• Coordinate with external vendors for technical support, repairs, and the procurement of spare parts as needed.
• Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) of instrumentation, as required.
• Maintain an inventory of spare parts and consumables for robotic liquid handing platforms and sample management instruments.
• Adhere to safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and standard operating procedures related to the care and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or a related technical field.
• A strong understanding of robotic liquid handing platforms, sample management or automation-based instrumentation and a minimum of 2 years experience using or maintaining these automation instruments is required, including some troubleshooting and issue resolution experience.
• Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), especially with respect to laboratory equipment maintenance documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with software used in robotic liquid handing platforms, sample management instrumentation, or other automation-based instruments including operations and data analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Mechanically-inclined, basic knowledge in electronics and automation programming
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong desire and commitment to provide excellent support to scientific and lab operations personnel and other internal team members.
• Excellent communication skills to interact with internal teams and external vendors.
• Ability to understand and consistently follow safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to travel up to 5% of the time.
• Ability to lift heavy equipment up to 50 lbs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with one or more of the following vendor brands of automation instrumentation:  Hamilton Star, Hamilton storage systems, Beckman Biomek, and Tecan Evo platforms.
• Experience with using and/or maintaining flow cytometry systems.
• Experience programing liquid handing platforms with some experience coding in standard/current programing languages. 
• Prototype fabrication of custom parts and experience with improvements to existing parts utilizing shop equipment such as metal lathes and milling machines. 
• Familiarity with 3D scanning and advanced 3D rendering systems technologies.

Full time

Regular

Colleague

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