Lead Automation Engineer

Company: Exai Bio Inc
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: May 15, 2022

Job Description:

Job DescriptionWhat We are Looking ForAn experienced laboratory automation leader with a strong background in automating molecular biology workflows to help expand the capabilities of our oncRNA signature discovery platform. We are seeking a curious, enthusiastic, competent, and self-motivated individual to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to help build a successful liquid biopsy company from an early stage. You will join the Product and Technology Development team to lead our Process and Automation efforts. What You'll DoAutomation Integration ● Drive strategy for design, investment, and implementation of automation and data integration capabilities to enable optimized end-to-end high throughput sequencing, purification and/or sample management workflows ● Program, integrate, and troubleshoot liquid handling instrumentation such as Thermo, Tecan, Biomek, Hamilton and Mosquito liquid-handling systems ● Develop quality control procedures to ensure instrument calibration ● Collaborate with scientists and engineers to integrate instrumentation with LIMS platforms Scientific Excellence ● Demonstrate working knowledge of analytical and automated synthesis methods, techniques, and instrumentation ● Apply scientific knowledge to assist with scientific decision-making and application of appropriate technologies ● Work with a cross-functional team to explore, develop, optimize, test, troubleshoot and implement robust, scalable, innovative extraction solutions for the High-Throughput group's workflows Process Optimization ● Apply lean thinking principles to continuously assess and improve current state processes to remove non-value-added work from scientists ● Create SOPs for efficient and effective operation and maintenance of automated equipment and analytical systems to satisfy department service level agreements ● Develop a strategic investment plan to enable access to cutting edge automation and informatics ● Lead troubleshooting, process documentation, user training, equipment validation, and vendor relations Cross-functional Collaboration and Enterprise Mindset ● Interface with scientists to solve complex scientific workflows ● Provide guidance and insight into industry best practices for automation and integration as applied to complex scientific workflows ● Work with vendors to ensure coordination and execution of work with minimal disruption ● Share and promote best practices on automation across the organization Project Management ● Coordinate installation and testing of equipment and systems with external providers, scientists, and engineers as required ● Provide input on capital budget forecasts and future investments What You Bring to the Team● BS or BA in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, applied physics, or closely related disciplines with 6+ years industry or academic research experience handling automated workflows, or MS in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, applied physics, or closely related disciplines with 4+ years industry or academic research experience handling automated workflows ● High level of automation and engineering competency and technical expertise in the areas of integration, robotics, liquid handling, software, and LIMS platforms ● Ability to think strategically and present new concepts/ideas to senior leaders and lab scientists ● Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with to ensure effective communication ● Self-starter with ability to work independently ● Demonstrated critical thinking and diagnostic skills. ● Experience with software engineering best practices: code quality, testing, performance optimization, development of research tools infrastructure ● Good engineering techniques and best practices (i.e. design control, FMEA, risk analysis, stress testing) ● Working with vendors, including building and maintaining relationships ● You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including all eligible booster(s), with the exception of a medical or religious exemption Preferred: ● Experience working in the life science industry or at a biotech company ● Experience with liquid handling systems - Thermo, HighResBio, Beckman, Tecan, Hamilton, Brooks ● Experience with nucleic acid processing: whole genome, RNA, targeted enrichment and single-cell technologies ● Experience with implementing and integrating large scale and small-scale automation with internal LIMS ● SQL/Oracle programming skills ● Experience with data analysis in python and/or R ● Microsoft programming languages (VB, C# or equivalent) skills ● Experience working in a regulated environment (CLIA / CAP / NYS / FDA / GCLP) and with quality management systems

Keywords: Exai Bio Inc, Palo Alto , Lead Automation Engineer, Engineering , Palo Alto, California