Senior Automation Engineer – Laboratory Automation

Job Description Summary

The Senior Automation Engineer I will be responsible for implementing and maintaining large and complex laboratory robotics within the Compound Management group. The work will be hands-on and will require a broad range of engineering disciplines including project management, troubleshooting electrical and mechanical parts, develop protocols, liquid handling, and provide operating system validation/verification. Our focus is to design, build, maintain and improve storage systems and liquid handling systems for Compound Management.

 

Job Description

Internal Job Title:  Senior Automation Engineer

Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

About this role:

The Senior Automation Engineer will be responsible for implementing and maintaining large and complex laboratory robotics within the Compound Management group. The work will be hands-on and will require a broad range of engineering disciplines including project management, troubleshooting electrical and mechanical parts, develop protocols, liquid handling, and provide operating system validation/verification. Our focus is to design, build, maintain and improve storage systems and liquid handling systems for Compound Management.

Your key responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Working with Sample Management teams to support automation to deliver compounds to scientists globally and adapt and implement cutting edge technologies.

• Act as project manager for small and large scale automation projects. The successful candidate will manage, plan, develop, and execute laboratory automation projects from start-up to completion.

• Basic understanding of system scheduling software, databases, and script programming.

• Work effectively with multi-disciplinary groups and individuals to implement solutions that reflect operational efficiencies in terms of throughput, delivery, costs, as well as health, safety and environmental considerations.

• Establish, monitor and maintain a stable and productive automation environment through QC and preventative maintenance.

• Assist in the development of SOP’s, maintenance manuals, start-up procedures, etc. and provide training to users of equipment.

• Must be self-motivated with the ability to multitask and effectively manage timelines.

• Must be able to work independently and in team situations.

Essential Requirements:

• B.S. in mechanical, electrical or bioengineering, or similar engineering discipline.

• 3-5 years’ experience using, maintaining and implementing automated systems.

• Experience designing, building and deploying automated laboratory workflows in life sciences or clinical laboratories.

• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communications skills required to interact effectively between scientific staff, customers, key stakeholders, and vendors.

• Strong computer skills and IT oriented.

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Experience working with laboratory automation, high throughput assays, and cell culture.

Desirable requirements:

• Familiarity with the following systems and associated software: HighRes BioSolutions (Staubli/Denso/Precise) robotic platforms, Hamilton, Tecan EVO, Agilent benchtop equipment, Beckman Echo, Biosero/Green Button Go robotic platforms, Thermo Momentum, etc.

• Experience working with engineers and scientists to develop new automated platforms.

Why Novartis: Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook: https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $85,400 to $158,600/year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay r