New

Automation Engineer

Austin, TX

Automation Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Automation Engineer is an intermediate-level role within the Production Engineering Group, focused on deployment, optimization, and support of automated systems (such as work cells, liquid handlers, and analytical instruments). This engineer is expected to have a solid foundation in sustaining engineering, including both troubleshooting and development. The role requires a strong understanding of complex automated systems used in the lab and the ability to drive engineering projects of medium complexity independently and high complexity with guidance.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Deploy liquid handling robotics and workcells for capacity expansion.
  • Draft, review, and follow SOPs and work instructions; assist in drafting new documentation for deployments.
  • Perform defined continuous improvement projects; take ownership and report progress to project leader and/or manager.
  • Provide 2nd tier support to the Service Engineering team, handling complex troubleshooting, repairs, and maintenance.
  • Solve non-routine problems with some guidance, developing solutions of medium complexity.
  • Contribute to the Production Engineering Confluence page and knowledge base.
  • Maintain proficiency in laboratory controlling, scheduling, and supporting software.
  • Support and maintain complex laboratory instruments and assays.
  • Learn to analyze and interpret test data for troubleshooting and development purposes.
  • Accurately document all activities in compliance with Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
  • Adhere to laboratory safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

TEAMWORK & COLLABORATION:

  • Collaborate cross-functionally to support production workflows.
  • Provide primary floor support in work cell laboratories and secondary support in other labs.
  • Actively participate in Sprint meetings and group discussions, providing updates and raising issues that may lead to continuous improvement projects.
  • Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, scalability, and ease of execution within Production Engineering.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in laboratory automation engineering with hands-on troubleshooting and development experience.
  • Strong understanding of diagnostic laboratory workflows, instrumentation, and automation software.
  • Proficiency in lab automation controlling and scheduling software; familiarity with supporting tools (e.g., Python).
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow protocols meticulously.
  • Strong knowledge of GDP and regulatory requirements.
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

  • Ability to operate semi-independently, balancing technical execution with documentation requirements.
  • Strong critical thinking skills with capacity to solve problems while recognizing when to seek guidance.
  • Flexibility to learn and adapt to evolving technologies and workflows.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with engineering colleagues and end-users.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:

No direct management responsibilities. May provide technical guidance to Service Engineers.

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations.

Austin, TX

$95,500 - $119,400 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit www.natera.com.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. 

Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.

For more information:
- BBB announcement on job scams 
- FBI Cyber Crime resource page 

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