Senior Automation Engineer

Who we are…

Cell Signaling Technology (CST) is a different kind of life sciences company, one founded, owned, and run by active research scientists, with the highest standards of product and service quality, technological innovation, and scientific rigor for over 20 years. We consistently provide fellow scientists around the globe with best-in-class products and services to fuel their quests for discovery.

Helping researchers find new solutions is our main mission every day, but it's not our only mission. We're also dedicated to helping identify solutions to other problems facing our world. We believe that all businesses must be responsible and work in partnership with local communities, while seeking to minimize their environmental impact. That's why we joined 1% for the Planet as its first life science member, and have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2029.

The role...

Automation empowers CST scientists by optimizing, scaling, and automating processes, enabling the company to accelerate the development and production of best-in-class products. We partner with R&D to deliver innovative solutions that enhance scientific capabilities and reduce repetitive tasks for employees, driving forward our commitment to excellence and efficiency. This is a cross-functional, team-oriented position. The Senior Automation Engineer has experience in laboratory automation to drive CST’s vision to scale its antibody discovery and validation process. As a part of the Automation team, this team member will have the opportunity to build and own key automation architecture to enable an amazing group of scientists to optimize process efficiency, throughput and quality.

You'll have the opportunity to…

• Responsible for method development, performance validation training, instrument maintenance, and hardware repair.
• Collaborate with different cross functional team members and champion automation project planning and execution. 
• Work with scientists to develop, optimize, and implement new automated workflows and systems for the production, characterization and testing of antibody candidates.
• Perform lab automation development including protocol design, error recovery, point-teaching, liquid class design, order scheduling, run execution leveraging scheduling software (e.g. Cellario, Green Button Go, Sami) and standalone liquid handlers. (e.g. Venus, Biomek, Vwork, Maestro)
• Monitor and evaluate new and emerging technologies in laboratory automation systems
• Assist scientists with the operation of automation platforms, providing training and support as needed.
• Manage equipment scheduling, service contracts and regular equipment preventative maintenance.

Who you are and what you bring to the team...

• BS degree (minimum of 8 years of related experience); or Master’s degree (minimum of 6 years experience); or PhD (minimum of 3 years experience). Engineering degree in a relevant field, such as electrical, software or computer science.
• Minimum of 6 years experience integrating liquid handlers to analytical instrumentation in R&D environment.
• Proven track record in both writing and optimizing scripts on automated liquid handling platforms leveraging standalone instrument software. 
• Proven track record of creating project plans, track timelines, communicate progress and delays to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working in a team environment to accomplish company goals and timelines.
• Flexibility to adapt to business needs, able to work independently and effectively to meet timelines. 
• Excellent written, verbal and customer service skills.

 Preferred Qualifications...

• Experience with Python or equivalent programming language. 
• Knowledge of standard laboratory techniques such as nucleic acid isolation, NGS, protein purification, cell culture and imaging.
• Experience with assays that enable validation of antibodies.

Physical Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Standard Laboratory Work environment. 
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time. 
• May move objects weighing up to 30 pounds across the lab for various needs. 
• Work area can be filled with collaborative discussion. 
• Work area may have noise from equipment (refrigerator, freezer, etc.).
• Work environment conditions consist of both sitting and standing throughout the day.

What we offer...

At Cell Signaling Technology (CST), we recognize that people will always be our most important asset. Providing a safe, inclusive, and stimulating working environment that under