
Automata helps life sciences labs automate experiments to increase throughput, reduce manual steps, and improve data quality. It delivers the LINQ platform, a modular combination of lab robotics…

Automata helps life sciences labs automate experiments to increase throughput, reduce manual steps, and improve data quality. It delivers the LINQ platform, a modular combination of lab robotics…
What they do: Builds LINQ, a modular lab-automation platform combining robotics hardware and cloud workflow software for life-sciences labs
Founded: 2015
Headquarters / offices: London with U.S. offices (including Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA)
Recent funding: Series C $45M (Jan 29, 2026)
Total funding reported: ≈ $144.8M (USD)
Lab automation for life-sciences workflows (genomics, cell biology and related research/diagnostic labs).
2015
Software Development
7.4M USD
March 2019 round to commercialize the Eva desktop robot
50M USD
Round to scale end-to-end lab automation
40M USD
October 2023 equity financing with participation from multiple investors
45M USD
Series C announced Jan 29, 2026 with participation from Danaher Ventures, Tru Arrow Partners, Octopus Ventures, Entrepreneurs First, and others
“Backed by strategic and institutional investors including Dimension, Octopus Ventures, Danaher Ventures, Entrepreneurs First, A.P. Moller Holding and others”
| Company |
|---|
Level : 6 Salary band : £130,000 - £170,000 depending on experience
Bonus : 15% performance-based, discretionary
Location : Hybrid - 3 days per week on site in London (Angel) At Automata , we're on a mission to transform how scientists work by making automation accessible to every lab in the world. We believe that by giving labs the power to automate, we can unlock discoveries that will shape the future of life sciences—from diagnostics and drug discovery to synthetic biology.
We design and operate a software platform that orchestrates robots, instruments, data pipelines, and increasingly AI-driven workflows — helping labs move from bespoke, fragile setups to scalable, software-defined automation. Our systems sit at the intersection of cloud infrastructure, distributed systems, orchestration engines, and real-world physical constraints.
We are a product-driven company operating at scale, with customers doing genuinely meaningful scientific work that saves lives. Our engineering challenges are real: complex workflows, reliability at scale, performance under constraints, and building platforms that can evolve as new products and capabilities are layered on.
We believe great products come from strong technical leadership, clarity of direction, and teams that move at pace. We work closely together, value in-person collaboration, and operate from a modern Central London office designed for focus, energy, and momentum.
Why Work at Automata?
What we are looking for We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer who will play a defining role in shaping our platform, our teams, and our technical future.
This is a top-end role with significant architectural authority and organisational influence. You will lead and mentor senior technical leaders, own core architectural decisions, and help scale a stable platform into a multi-product foundation — while remaining hands-on and deeply technical.
You’ve likely built and scaled complex systems before, possibly as a CTO or equivalent in a smaller company, and you’ve also seen what “good” looks like in more structured, corporate or enterprise environments. You understand the trade-offs between speed and quality, pragmatism and long-term sustainability.
This role reports to the VP of Product and offers a fast growth path for someone who demonstrates the appetite and capability.
Who you are You are a builder and a leader, not one or the other.
What you will do Own architecture and technical direction
Lead and multiply senior engineers
Scale delivery and improve quality
Partner with product and customers
Build cloud and edge-connected systems
Enable Data And AI-driven Capabilities
Your background
Growth & impact This role is designed for someone who wants real influence today and a fast growth path tomorrow. You’ll be trusted with critical technical decisions, visible impact, and leadership of senior engineers — with a clear opportunity to grow fast as the organisation scales.
If you’re excited by hard problems, meaningful products, and building platforms that matter — we’d love to talk.
UK Team Benefits: 🍎 Vitality Health Insurance
👀 Eye Care
🚗 Salary Sacrifice - EV
🚲 Salary Sacrifice - Bike & Tech
🧘🏼♀️ Wellbeing & Support
☀️ Wellbeing & Development Allowance
💙 Spill & Employee Assistance Programme
😊 Additional Leave
👵🏼 Pension Scheme
🫂 Group Life & Critical Illness cover
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.
Your next opportunity is in here somewhere. Sign up to explore 52,000+ startups and their open roles. No spam. No gamification. Just jobs.
52,000+
Startups
65,000+
Open Roles
1,500+
New This Week