The Automation Engineer will be responsible for implementing the automation of molecular techniques associated with Adela’s cutting-edge technology. Starting with a manual assay to measure genome-wide methylation from blood, you will work closely with the Director, Laboratory Operation and the R&D team to develop and validate automation of the diagnostic test workflow for use in the regulated and high-throughput lab environment. You will be expected to keep up to date with the latest trends in automation and suggest modification to automation technologies and workflows to meet business requirements, improve performance, increase throughput and reduce cost.
Responsibilities:
Maintain a positive culture by championing inclusion, respect and empathy toward all Adela teammates, as well as our collaborators, customers and community.
- Engineer and implement laboratory automation solutions based on requirements developed by the laboratory R&D group in consultation with internal stakeholders.
- Interface directly with team members, including Laboratory Operations, Assay Development, and Information Technology team to understand and refine automation solutions and coordinate automation activities accordingly.
- Participate in or lead cross-functional process development teams to innovate, plan, develop, validate, and implement robust and scalable laboratory automation.
- In collaboration with the Quality group, determine an appropriate level of testing, verification, and/or validation for new automation platforms and methods.
- Develop corresponding plans and summary reports commensurate with quality systems requirements.
- Develop a strong business relationship with laboratory automation vendors to facilitate early access to new technologies and responsive technical support.
- Maintain preventative calibration maintenance in collaboration with laboratory operations—lead troubleshooting efforts at the discretion of management.
- Maintain a working knowledge of CLIA and HIPPA requirements.
- Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary molecular and genomics technologies.
- Keep up to date with the latest trends in automation and suggest modification to automation technology to directly impact performance, throughput and cost.
- Participate in the training of Laboratory Staff on the appropriate use of automation equipment.
- Thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, team-orientedp environment.
- Communicate freely and clearly to leadership about any issues and/or barriers that could delay or derail projects.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
-Direct experience with clinical trials is preferred.
- BS or greater in Engineering, Molecular Genetics, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in automation, with significant experience in a laboratory setting.
- Demonstrated experience implementing and improving robust, creative, and scalable robotic methods to automate existing and novel workflows for scientific operations.
- Mastery of laboratory automation instruments (i.e., Hamilton, Beckman, LYNX, PerkinElmer, etc.), high throughput analytic instruments (i.e., plate readers, Stunner, LabChip, TapeStation, etc.), and other laboratory-enabling automation tools (i.e., capper/decappers, plate seal/peel, tube labelers, automated barcode readers) is essential.
- Experience working on both standalone and integrated laboratory automation systems.
- Direct experience interfacing automation systems with Laboratory software systems, including LIMS, is strongly preferred.