Senior Sustaining Laboratory Automation Engineer - Elegen
San Carlos, CA
About the Job
Elegen is blazing a path towards a biology-based economy with a highly innovative approach to DNA synthesis that delivers an industry leading length of 7kb in 7 business days with a 99.999% per base accuracy. Our multidisciplinary team of best-in-class biologists, chemists, hardware, and software engineers apply cutting-edge technologies and methods to solve critical bottlenecks in synthetic biology workflows to help our customers in pharma, biotech, agbio, and biomanufacturing streamline their work and realize the full potential of programmable biology.
As a Senior Sustaining Laboratory Automation Engineer, you will play a critical role in maintaining and improving our laboratory automation systems. You will work closely with manufacturing and R&D to ensure seamless operation of automated workflows, troubleshoot issues, and implement enhancements. As a subject matter expert in laboratory automation, you will act as the key point of communication between automation development and manufacturing to support production workflows. The incumbent in this position will be an individual contributor but may be expected to grow the automation support team as the scope of automation support responsibilities increases.
Key Responsibilities:
- Technical Support: Provide hands-on support for laboratory automation systems, including troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs. Own 1st line support for all equipment across manufacturing and R&D teams and communicate effectively with the automation development group for 2nd line support needs.
- Quality Control: Create, maintain, and execute an effective system of instrument validation and calibration using such technologies as Artel MVS, gravimetric analysis, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Ensure compliance with any required regulatory standards and maintain quality control of automated processes.
- Project Involvement & Collaboration: Participate in new automation projects from conception through implementation, providing technical expertise and support for deployment activities. Work with cross-functional teams, including R&D, PD, and Operations to support ongoing projects and facilitate the introduction of new workflows.
- Training: Train manufacturing staff on the use of automation equipment and best practices to ensure proper operation and safety.
- Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of automation procedures, troubleshooting steps, allowable deviations, and system modifications. Own service contracts and preventative maintenance cadence. Collaborate on manufacturing SOP generation.
- System Optimization: Collaborate with the process development and manufacturing teams to identify opportunities for process improvements. Communicate these opportunities to the automation development team and support the production deployment of process improvements.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent direct experience.
- 5+ years' experience across a broad variety of laboratory automation systems and related technologies as a support/sustaining engineer or process operator.
- Demonstrated automation troubleshooting skills and ability to resolve technical issues efficiently and independently.
- Demonstrated ability to set up and maintain a documentation system to effectively capture all aspects of automation support,maintenance, and quality control.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and balance multiple priorities against organizational needs.
Desirable skills:
- Overlord scheduler, Labcyte Echo, Agilent lab automation instruments, Tecan Evo & Fluent, Formulatrix, and BioTek instrument troubleshooting expertise
- Familiarity with supporting and documenting automation workflows in a GxP environment.
- Working knowledge of common ticketing and management systems such as JIRA, Confluence, Smartsheet.
- Familiarity with a QMS system such as Master Control or similar.
- Previous supervisory or management experience is a plus but not required.
Salary and Benefits:
The annual base salary compensation for this role, if based in California is: $145,000 - $170,000. Compensation may be different in other locations. Final compensation also includes bonus, equity and benefits. Specific offer packages are determined by multiple factors, including candidate skill, experience, expertise, and location.
✓ Healthcare ✓ Dental ✓ Vision ✓ Learning Allowance
✓ 401K ✓ Flexible PTO ✓ Short Term Disability ✓ Fitness Allowance
About The Company:
Founded and led by Dr. Matthew Hill and located in San Carlos, CA, Elegen is well-capitalized by top life science investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and KdT. The company is advised and staffed by leading biotechnology scientists and entrepreneurs, including Dr. Marc Unger, inventor of the Nanoflex™ valve, and former CSO of Fluidigm. Dr. Hill has a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of advancing innovative technologies from invention to commercial success. Over eight years in his previous role as VP of R&D at a leading molecular diagnostics company, he co-invented and launched five precision molecular diagnostic products, including a best-in-class noninvasive prenatal test used by millions. These products earn more than $350 million per year in revenue and enabled an IPO.
Elegenis an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Elegen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other category protected by law. All applicants have rights under the following Federal Employment Laws:
