Title: Automation Engineer I; Laboratory Automation Core; Center of Technology

Employee Type: Full time
Location: San Rafael, CA

Title and compensation commensurate with experience

Summary

The Center of Technology (CoTe) is a centralized laboratory built around platform technologies and made available to scientists and physicians across Worldwide Research and Development (WWRD) of BioMarin. The Laboratory Automation Core within the CoTe has a remit to design, build, consult, and maintain fit-for-purpose automation solutions for scientists across Research and Early Development (RED) in support our early discovery pipeline and our cutting-edge clinical trials.

We have in our laboratories Hamilton STAR, Hamilton STARlet, Hamilton Vantage, Agilent Bravo, and Biomek FXP liquid handlers integrated with plate readers, plate sealers, incubators, and/or cell imagers to provide fit-for-purpose drug discovery platforms.

We are searching for a highly motivated Engineer I to join the Laboratory Automation Core as a full-time employee. The successful candidate will be interested in learning new techniques and approaches to laboratory automation, pay close attention to detail, lead multiple projects in parallel, and possess good organization skills. The position requires adaptability, creativity, and a capacity for constant innovation in pursuit of excellent science. 

This position offers a unique career opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects that contribute to the entire spectrum of a product lifecycle, from early drug discovery and non-clinical work through all stages of clinical and commercial development. The successful candidate will assist with the design, implementation, and maintenance of automation solutions for high-throughput biology protocols like NGS workflows, iPSC cell culture protocols, and standard in vitro biochemical and cell-based assays.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with RED scientists and Automation Core staff to transfer manual processes to automated liquid handler workflows and validate the results.
• Build/test/maintain robotic platforms and laboratory automation instruments to execute biological protocols and next generation -omics workflows. Assess the efficiency and quality of operations to prioritize process improvements and optimizations.
• Execute experiments to validate the functionality and performance of laboratory automation systems, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Provide technical training and support to laboratory personnel of existing and new automation processes, equipment, and technologies.
• Work independently and in an agile manner to finish tasks or projects within the designated timeframe or deadlines.
• Integrate laboratory equipment into laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and clearly and thoroughly document your work in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Work with equipment and system integrators on the design, implementation, and support of high-throughput automated platforms.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related fields.

Experience

• Must have 2-4 years of experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical Industry, including hands-on experience building, running, and trouble-shooting assays on automated liquid handlers.
• Experienced with a broad range of laboratory automation instruments and operating plate-based liquid handlers (e.g. Star, Vantage, Bravo, Biomek, Lynx, Tempest).
• Proficiency with basic laboratory techniques for at least one of the following disciplines: molecular biology, protein chemistry, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, proteomics, genomics, or similar.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, scientists, engineers, etc.
• Strong understanding of laboratory processes and workflows, with the ability to translate them into automation solutions.
• Proficiency in programming or scripting (e.g., Python, Java, C++). Some experience with Hamilton Venus software is highly desired.