Manager, Automation Engineering

Brisbane, California

Why join Freenome?

Freenome is a high-growth biotech company developing tests to detect cancer using a standard blood draw. To do this, Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to find cancer in its earliest, most-treatable stages. 

Cancer is relentless. This is why Freenome is building the clinical, economic, and operational evidence to drive cancer screening and save lives. Our first screening test is for colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas, and it’s just the beginning. 

Founded in 2014, Freenome has ~400 employees and continues to grow to match the scope of our ambitions to provide access to better screening and earlier cancer detection.  

At Freenome, we aim to impact patients by empowering everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease. This, together with our high-performing culture of respect and cross-collaboration, is what motivates us to make every day count.

Become a Freenomer

Do you have what it takes to be a Freenomer? A “Freenomer” is a determined, mission-driven, results-oriented employee fueled by the opportunity to change the landscape of cancer and make a positive impact on patients’ lives. Freenomers bring their diverse experience, expertise, and personal perspective to solve problems and push to achieve what’s possible, one breakthrough at a time.

About this opportunity:

At Freenome, our goal is to improve patient outcomes by pioneering the next-generation of blood tests for early and accurate disease detection using our combined multiomics and machine learning platform. As a Manager on our Automation team, you will lead a team of automation engineers responsible for designing, planning, constructing, and testing automation components to Clinical Laboratory standards for measuring complex, blood-based analytes while working cross-functionally with the Research, Development, Clinical, and Software (LIMS) teams.

What you’ll do:

  • Lead and oversee a technical team of Automation Engineers to build and implement and maintain automation solutions for the Clinical laboratory at Freenome
  • Oversee and lead the development, validation, standardization and management of automation protocols and platforms at scale
  • Provide hands on support in the clinical lab for Hamilton and Integrated workcell automation workflows
  • Partner with other scientific leaders and executives at Freenome to develop the Automation roadmap and Product Development strategy
  • Provide systematic approaches to implement automation solutions to enable scalability, sustainability, and reliability
  • Establish project milestones and maintain timelines, while working with adjacent functions including Research and Development, Clinical Lab Operations, Tech Transfer, and Engineering to execute on cross-functional projects
  • Develop continuous improvements and build standard operating procedures to prepare the Freenome clinical laboratory to process 1M+ patient samples per year
  • Mentor, train and develop a team of Automation Engineers, through effective coaching and growth opportunities

Must haves:

  • BS or higher degree in Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
  • 10+ years of Lab Automation experience in high throughput laboratories
  • 3+ years leading teams of Automation Engineers (preferably within molecular diagnostics building toward an LDT or IVD product)
  • Experience working within an established quality system and following change control procedures
  • Solid understanding of lab automation industry and tools available
  • Excellent analytical and troubleshooting capabilities
  • Clear communications skills and ability to lead and work with cross-functional technical teams

Nice to haves:

  • Technical understanding of lab automation tools used and operation concepts in NGS assays for DNA and/or RNA, including extraction methods and library preparation workflows, and/or proteomics methods
  • Experience integrating LIMS into automation workflows, designing and executing instrument testing/validation plan, due diligence for component evaluation and acquisition

Benefits and additional information:

The US target range of our base salary for new hires is $131,325 - $201,000. You will also be eligible to receive pre-IPO equity, cash bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered.  Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to, location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education. We invite you to check out our career page @ freenome.com/job-openings/ for additional company information.  

Freenome is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.  

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