Jobs and Careers

Lab Automation Specialist

San Diego, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 29 Jan 2026

💰 $64,280/yr

About the role

Job Title: Lab Automation Specialist
Duration: 06 months with possible extension
Office: San Diego, CA 92121
Pay rate: $32.14/hr. on W2

Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for the role of Automation Specialist.
In this role, the successful candidate will work on-site at clients' locations to provide support, responsiveness, and knowledge to the customized specifications of the clients' users.
The Automation Specialist will conduct critical experiments to facilitate the advancement of laboratory operations, utilizing the clients' existing lab processes and facilities to ensure the seamless delivery of high-quality results within established timelines.
Ability to operate automated systems and associated instrumentation, execute cell-based and biochemical assays (luminescence, fluorescence, AlphaScreen, imaging, etc.) is required.

Job Responsibilities:

Leverage integrated assay automation platform to execute medium-high-throughput cell-based screens and assays in collaboration with therapeutic area and functional area scientists.
Train equipment users on key concepts associated with the platforms to support best-practice and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation.
Assist with the programming of the automated platform for assay protocol development.
'First-responder' for troubleshooting and error recovery.
Maintain cell lines and primary cell cultures.
Flexibility to accommodate to rapidly changing priorities and deadlines.
Manage laboratory inventories
Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and guidelines.
Support equipment maintenance and establish strong relationships with OEM Service Organizations.
Interact with other engineers to leverage platform / systems knowledge to minimize instrument downtime.
Maintain training and compliance in areas of health and safety, security, environmental and operational aspects of daily activities in the working environment.
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related discipline with 2 years of experience in laboratory automation and/or lab instrumentation support OR
Associate degree with 5+ years of experience in laboratory automation and/or lab instrumentation support
Comprehensive understanding of automation equipment and cell culture
Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, especially adherence to laboratory notebook practices.
Attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, the ability to multitask
Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently.
Ability to read and interpret chemical labelling and hazardous signage.
MS Office Skills: Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree in a Life Sciences or Engineering related subject.
Experience with Biomek iSeries, Combi, BlueWasher, Cytomat, Precise, Staubli, WDII, PlateLoc, Xpeel, Cytation, Pherastar, Vspin, Echo is preferred.
Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team-based environment.
Proficient in cellular and biochemical assay techniques.
Experience with immortalized and/or primary cell culture.
Knowledge of device networking and communications protocols.
Experience of scripting and other advanced programming languages a plus.

Working Environment: