Jobs and Careers

Senior Lab Automation Engineer

San Diego, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 3 Aug 2026

💰 $168,800/yr($105,500/yr – $168,800/yr)

About the role

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide.

We are the people who give possibilities purpose

BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities: (Primary Duties, Roles, and/or Authorities)

Manage automation workcells comprehensively, including robot teaching, coordinating field service engineers for calibrations/preventive maintenance, and overseeing all equipment components through regular cleaning, lubrication, and performance checks.

Collaborate with scientists to understand laboratory protocols and translate them into automated workflows, while applying automation expertise to improve processes, troubleshoot procedures, and lead programming of new methods to expand throughput.

Identify operational bottlenecks, evaluate new technologies, and work cross-functionally to scale in vitro assays by multiple orders of magnitude, including vendor coordination for hardware integration and collaboration with software developers.

Apply automation experience to the process improvement and troubleshooting of laboratory procedures and workflows

Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation including training guides and verification reports, while providing ad hoc instrument troubleshooting, error recovery, and end-user training through detailed work instructions.

Manage equipment scheduling calendars, track critical metrics (uptime, downtime, usage), and provide regular performance reports to leadership to ensure optimal laboratory automation operations.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or Computer Science (preferably Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Biology, Chemistry), or PhD with 2+ years of relevant Lab Automation experience. Non-PhD candidates require minimum 6 years of relevant experience.
Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in a lab setting, with demonstrated ability to lead without authority, coordinate small teams to achieve program goals, and work cross-functionally with strong communication skills.
Proven experience implementing and maintaining automation solutions, troubleshooting liquid handling equipment and laboratory automation systems, and ability to generate, evaluate, and understand scientific data from robotic platforms.
Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of effectively prioritizing tasks and multitasking to achieve goals while maintaining focus on customer deliverables.
Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of effectively prioritizing tasks and multitasking to achieve goals while maintaining focus on customer deliverables.

Preferred Requirements: