We are seeking an Automation Engineer to drive and support the development, platforming and day-to-day operation of automated QC workflows in our Cell Q system at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role is central to translating newly developed assays into scalable, automated workflows ahead of transfer and validation on Cell Q.
The successful candidate will work hands-on to develop and program liquid handling methods, write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code, and test these methods to confirm functionality and performance before they move into validation. Working closely with Analytical Development, Quality Control, Software, Manufacturing and IT, the Automation Engineer will contribute to development, user training, technical documentation and controlled management of automated test methods.
Candidates should enjoy working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and be comfortable owning assay automation from early-stage development through hand-off for validation.
Responsibilities
Design and develop automated liquid handling protocols to platform new assays onto the Cell Q system
Partner with Analytical Development (AD) to translate manually developed assays into automation-compatible methods
Write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code to implement and integrate automation solutions
Design and execute validation experiments to optimize assay and workflow parameters.
Conduct testing of newly developed automated methods to confirm functionality and performance ahead of formal validation
Troubleshoot and iterate on liquid handler methods and GBG scripts throughout development
Collaborate with QC, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality to support the transition of developed assays into validated production use
Document method development, coding logic, and testing outcomes to support downstream validation and transfer
Monitor and refine automated workflows based on development and testing feedback to improve reliability and performance
Requirements
Bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
2+ years of experience developing and programming liquid handling automation methods. Experience on Tecan Fluent preferred.
Hands-on experience coding in Biosero's Green Button Go (GBG) software, or equivalent scheduling software experience
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or C#
Experience working cross-functionally to platform manual assays onto automated systems
Familiarity with flow cytometry, genomic, and cell-based assays
Experience with laboratory analytical instruments and automated systems
Familiarity with GMP documentation and change control practices, or ability to quickly learn regulated documentation requirements
Strong technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, documentation, and training materials
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues during method development
Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple development efforts simultaneously
Creative, self-motivated, eager to take on a wide variety of tasks and grow with the evolving technology
Self-awareness, integrity, authenticity, and a growth mindset
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
- 2+ years of experience developing and programming liquid handling automation methods
- Experience with Tecan Fluent
- Hands-on experience coding in Biosero Green Button Go or equivalent scheduling software
- Proficiency in Python or C#
- Experience translating manual assays into automated systems
- Familiarity with flow cytometry, genomic, and cell-based assays
- Experience with laboratory analytical instruments and automated systems
- Familiarity with GMP documentation and change control practices
- Strong technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, documentation, and training materials
- Excellent problem-solving and technical troubleshooting skills
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple development efforts
What We Do
Cellares is revolutionizing cell therapy manufacturing. We are developing a one-of-a-kind solution, The Cell Shuttle, to overcome the challenges associated with manufacturing so these life-saving therapies are affordable and widely available to patients who can benefit. The clinical impact of cell therapy in treating cancer has been proven, but this therapeutic approach has several limitations, especially in manufacturing, leaving extremely sick patients waiting for treatment and desperate for hope. Since cell therapy is currently produced for a single patient at a time, it is expensive to manufacture, requiring significant time and resources, and is difficult to scale. Preclinical and clinical scientists, as well as commercial cell therapy manufacturers also lack the options to fully automate their manufacturing process quickly, safely, cost-effectively and at the scale they need. The Cell Shuttle is an automated and closed end-to-end manufacturing solution that is flexible and scalable, enabling customers to run exact processes specified for their cell therapy. Compared with the current manual manufacturing processes for cell therapy, the Cell Shuttle’s next-generation automated manufacturing solution has 10 times the scalability (meaning 10 times more patient doses can be produced simultaneously), enables a three-fold reduction in process failure rates and will reduce the per-patient manufacturing cost by up to 70 percent for most processes.
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