Senior Automation Engineer – Laboratory Automation

Internal Job Title:  Senior Automation Engineer

Location: Cambridge, MA, onsite

About this role:

The Senior Automation Engineer will be responsible for designing, developing, implementing and maintaining laboratory robotics which support exploratory biology in an automated fashion. 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 large and small automated systems for high throughput screening, automated cell culture, and compound management.

Your responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Working with assay biologists to adapt bench assays to fully automated assays with high throughput screening systems.
• 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.
• 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.
• Act as a primary support engineer for laboratory automation and instrumentation within DSc in Cambridge, Ma. Responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of state-of-the-art high throughput (HTS) systems.
• 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 new 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 of experience using 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 including MS Office and CAD (preferably SolidWorks).
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with laboratory automation, high throughput assays, and cell culture.

Desirable requirements:

• In addition to the experience above, the ideal candidate would have familiarity with the following systems and associated software: HighRes BioSolutions (Staubli/Denso/Precise) robotic platforms, Sartorius CompacT, Tecan EVO, Agilent benchtop equipment, Beckman Echo, Biosero/Green Button Go robotic platforms, GNF Director robotic platforms, etc.
• Basic understanding of C# or equivalent programming language
• Experience working with engineers and scientists to develop new automated platforms
• Experience with automated High Content Imaging systems such as the Yokogawa CV8000, Perkin Elmer Phenix, or equivalent.
• Ability to create innovative solutions to support complex biological assays at scale.
• Experience with machine tools such as mill, band saw, drill press, etc.

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

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO: The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers and take pride in maintaining a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to building diverse teams, representative of the patients and communities we serve, and we strive to create an inclusive workplace that cultivates bold innovation through collaboration and empowers our people to unleash their full potential.

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $92,800 to $139,200/year; however, while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/24 through 12/31/24, fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further, final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to geographical location, experience level, knowledge, skills, and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a sign-on bonus, restricted stock units, and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Join our Novartis Network: If this role is not suitable to your experience or career goals but you wish to stay connected to hear more about Novartis and our career opportunities, join the Novartis Network here: https://talentnetwork.novartis.com/network

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

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.