Senior Automation Engineer

This is a 12-month contract position.
The Senior Automation Engineer provides senior-level technical leadership and hands-on execution for automation, robotics, liquid handling, and instrument integration projects supporting oligonucleotide manufacturing and process development activities at the Petaluma site. Reporting to the Head of Manufacturing, Petaluma, this role works closely with Manufacturing, Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT), Process Design, Facilities, Quality, Operational Technology, Enterprise Information Technology, and external vendors to design, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize automated systems that improve productivity, quality, reliability, and scalability of manufacturing operations. This role rapidly assesses current processes, identifies high-value automation opportunities, develops practical implementation plans, and executes technical solutions from concept through commissioning, operational handoff, and knowledge transfer to internal personnel.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to capably perform each of the following essential duties:
Champion a proactive safety culture across automation and robotics engineering activities, including work around reagents, solvents, chemicals, flammables, corrosives, and automated equipment
Design, develop, configure, and deploy automation solutions supporting oligonucleotide synthesis, liquid handling, laboratory automation, sample preparation, material movement, and manufacturing support workflows
Evaluate manual workflows and identify automation opportunities that improve throughput, quality, process reliability, ergonomics, labor utilization, and data integrity
Develop automation concepts, system architectures, implementation plans, functional specifications, user requirements, design specifications, test protocols, and commissioning documentation
Configure, integrate, and troubleshoot robotic systems, liquid handling platforms, automated synthesis platforms, Shasta-related instrument integrations, plate handling workflows, reagent delivery automation, and continuous DNA processing automation initiatives
Design and implement controls or integration approaches for pumps, valves, sensors, process monitoring equipment, programmable logic controller systems, manufacturing software, databases, and operational technology systems
Integrate automation equipment with manufacturing execution systems (MES), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), databases, manufacturing software, data collection platforms, and operational technology systems in collaboration with Operational Technology Software, Data Engineering, and Enterprise Information Technology
Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, corrective actions, operational readiness, and IQ/OQ/PQ or computer software assurance (CSA)-aligned validation activities for new, modified, or integrated automation systems
Partner with Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Facilities, Supply Chain, and vendors to execute automation projects while maintaining alignment with production needs and compliance expectations
Provide knowledge transfer, training materials, work instructions, support documentation, technical handoff, and other deliverables needed for internal sustainment
Adhere to company policies, procedures, safety expectations, data integrity requirements, and engineering standards; perform other duties as assigned
Essential Knowledge and Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, mechatronics, automation engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable work experience
Senior-level hands-on experience designing, deploying, troubleshooting, and improving automation systems in biotechnology, life sciences, diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, or a related technical environment
Demonstrated experience with robotics, automated liquid handling, laboratory automation, instrument integration, process automation, and/or controls engineering
Experience developing and deploying automated equipment, robotic workcells, liquid handling systems, instrument integrations, or manufacturing automation platforms in production or process development environments
Ability to translate manufacturing and process requirements into practical, robust, maintainable, and scalable automation designs
Experience creating technical documentation such as requirements, design documents, control narratives, test protocols, commissioning plans, troubleshooting guides, training materials, and operational handoff records
Working knowledge of manufacturing safety practices, data integrity expectations, engineering documentation, commissioning, operational handoff, and sustained support of automated systems
Effective written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences, including internal teams and external vendors
Ability to operate independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while collaborating closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Facilities, Supply Chain, Operational Technology, Enterprise Information Technology, and external partners
Desired Knowledge and Qualifications:
Direct experience with automated oligonucleotide, biochemical, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, or life science manufacturing processes
Experience with automated liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton, Beckman, Tecan, Lynx, or comparable systems
Experience with high-throughput DNA synthesizers such as Shasta, Abacus, Ark, MerMade, or comparable systems
Experience with robotics platforms such as Universal Robots, FANUC, Epson, Precise Automation, collaborative robotics, or comparable systems
Experience with PLC programming, sensors, valves, pumps, safety interlocks, industrial networking, OPC-UA, REST APIs, SQL databases, Python, C#, data acquisition systems, or related integration technologies
Experience supporting GMP environments, technology transfer, scale-up, validation, CSA-aligned testing, and capital project execution
Familiarity with MES, LIMS, manufacturing execution logic, databases, scheduling systems, or operational data systems
PMP certification, automation certifications, controls certifications, robotics training, liquid handling platform training, PLC certifications, or manufacturing engineering certifications

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No