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Head of Service, Automation Engineering

South San Francisco, CA

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and motivated Service Engineering Manager to build and lead our automation support function. This role ensures our lab automation systems run reliably, are well-maintained, and are fully supported across their lifecycle. You'll lead a team of service engineers, define support processes, and be the go-to partner for internal teams and vendors.

You will report to the Vice President of Automation and will require you to be onsite in our South San Francisco headquarters five days per week.

 

Responsibilities

  • Build & Lead a high-performing service team that supports automated lab equipment across R&D.
  • Define and implement service systems and processes: preventative maintenance schedules, SOPs, SLAs, troubleshooting guides, and support workflows.
  • Ensure reliability by tracking equipment status, working with service team and automation teams to carry out preventative maintenance and IOQ, triaging issues, and overseeing repairs, and vendor coordination.
  • Develop observability tools, including instrument status dashboards, performance and equipment tagging for visibility and documentation access.
  • Be the face of automation support, engaging with users and stakeholders to improve uptime, usability, and user experience. As Head of Service, Automation Engineering, you will be the primary point of contact for automation support. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to enhance system reliability, streamline user interactions, and deliver an exceptional user experience through proactive engagement and strategic improvements.

 

About You

  • Bachelor's or Masters in Engineering or related field
  • 5+ years in service or automation engineering; 2+ years in management or leadership roles.
  • Extensive experience and knowledge of lab automation equipment (e.g., liquid handlers, robotic arms, plate readers, plate washers etc) and large integrated automated systems.
  • Proven experience setting up service processes and tools (SOPs, SLAs, support systems).
  • Experience driving clear communications and collaborating with cross-functional partners in a matrixed organization.
  • Experience with cell based and biochemical screening workflows.
  • Expertise in Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Corrective Action and Preventive Action (CAPA) and troubleshooting methodologies.
  • Experience implementing and maintaining a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
  • General interest of machine learning and AI

 

Compensation & Benefits at insitro

Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $165,000 - $189,000. To determine starting pay, we consider multiple job-related factors including a candidate's skills, education and experience, market demand, business needs, and internal parity. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data.

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

 

In addition, insitro also provides our employees:

  • 401(k) plan with employer matching for contributions
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support
  • Open, flexible vacation policy
  • Paid parental leave of at least 16 weeks to support parents who give birth, and 10 weeks for a new parent (inclusive of birth, adoption, fostering, etc)
  • Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development
  • Support to attend professional conferences that are meaningful to your career growth and role's responsibilities
  • New hire stipend for home office setup
  • Monthly cell phone & internet stipend
  • Access to free onsite baristas and cafe with daily lunch and breakfast for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
  • Access to free onsite fitness center for employees who are either onsite or hybrid
  • Access to a free commuter bus and ferry network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

 

insitro is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. We work hard to bring together diverse teams–grounded in a wide range of expertise and life experiences–and work even harder to ensure those teams thrive in inclusive, growth-oriented environments supported by equitable company and team practices. All candidates can expect equitable treatment, respect, and fairness throughout the interview process.

#LI-Onsite

Please be aware of recruitment scams: we never request payments, all recruitment communications are from @insitro.com, and if in doubt, contact us at info@insitro.com.

About insitro
 
insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning (ML) and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. At the core of insitro’s approach is the convergence of in-house generated multi-modal cellular data and high-content phenotypic human cohort data. We rely on these data to develop ML-driven, predictive disease models that uncover underlying biologic state and elucidate critical drivers of disease. These powerful models rely on extensive biological and computational infrastructure and allow insitro to advance novel targets and patient biomarkers, design therapeutics and inform clinical strategy. insitro is advancing a wholly owned and partnered pipeline of insights and therapeutics in neuroscience and metabolism. Since launching in 2018, insitro has raised over $700 million from top tech, biotech and crossover investors, and from collaborations with pharmaceutical partners. For more information on insitro, please visit www.insitro.com.

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