**A
utomation Engineer, R&D and Manufacturing
Location: Onsite
About ATUM:**
ATUM has a 20+ year history of innovation, headquartered in California. ATUM provides contract research and development services for biologics drug discovery and development. Our scope of service spans sequence optimization through cell line development. We use advanced AI, machine-learning and proprietary algorithms to de-risk and accelerate time-to-market for biologics.
Overview
We are seeking an Automation Engineer to design, deploy, and scale automated laboratory platforms that enable high throughput biology across R&D and manufacturing. This role owns the translation of biological processes into robust, automated workflows using liquid handling robots and integrated systems. The Automation Engineer will partner closely with scientists, data teams, and manufacturing to deliver reliable, production ready automation that increases throughput, data quality, and reproducibility.
This is a hands on, lab-based engineering role focused on building systems, not running manual experiments.
Core Responsibilities
Automation Platform Ownership
- Design and implement automated workflows for liquid handling, cell culture, protein expression, and purification.
- Program, validate, and maintain liquid handling platforms such as Biomek, LYNX, or equivalent systems.
- Integrate robotics with peripheral devices including incubators, plate readers, centrifuges, and chromatography systems.
Process Automation and Scale
- Translate manual biological protocols into scalable, high throughput automated processes.
- Optimize workflows using DOE and data driven approaches to improve throughput, robustness, and cost.
- Ensure automated methods are reliable, reproducible, and suitable for tech transfer into manufacturing or pilot scale environments.
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Partner with scientists and manufacturing team to define automation requirements and success criteria.
- Work with manufacturing, quality, and facilities teams to support deployment in controlled environments.
- Serve as the technical owner for automated systems throughout their lifecycle.
Documentation and Reliability
- Author SOPs, validation documentation, and technical reports for automated workflows.
- Establish best practices for method versioning, change control, and system reliability.
- Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis for automation related failures.
Required Qualifications
Education
- BS, MS, or PhD in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related engineering focused discipline.
- Degrees in Molecular Biology or Biochemistry require substantial automation engineering experience.
Experience
- Demonstrated experience designing and deploying automated laboratory workflows in biotech, pharma, or synthetic biology environments.
- Hands on experience with liquid handling robotics and automation scripting.
- Strong understanding of biological processes such as cell culture, protein expression, and purification in automated formats.
- Experience supporting scale up or technology transfer of automated processes.
Technical Skills
- Proficiency in automation platforms such as Biomek, LYNX, Hamilton, or Tecan.
- Experience with scripting, method development, or programming for laboratory automation.
- Familiarity with DOE, data analysis, and process optimization.
Benefits
- Be part of the next gen biotech revolution
- Excellent growth opportunities
- Great Compensation & benefits package
