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Automation Support Engineer

San Carlos, CA

Automation Support Engineer- R&D Automation

Are you passionate about advancing science through cutting-edge automation? At Natera, our R&D Automation team powers innovation by building and supporting the systems that drive both discovery research and clinical diagnostics. We’re looking for an Automation Support Engineer who thrives at the intersection of engineering and science- someone excited to tackle complex problems, collaborate with top scientists, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in automated lab workflows.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Shape the future of automation in life sciences by supporting and improving a fleet of state-of-the-art liquid handling robots and automated systems.
  • Work hands-on with advanced platforms including Tecan Fluent, Hamilton STAR and Vantage, and Beckman I7- building deep expertise across multiple systems.
  • Partner with scientists and engineers to design and deliver automation solutions that increase lab efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
  • Contribute to innovation projects where you’ll conceptualize, design, and implement new tools, workflows, and optimizations.

This isn’t just a support role- it’s a chance to make a direct impact on scientific discovery and patient care, while continuously developing your own technical expertise in automation and robotics.

What You’ll Do:

  • Troubleshoot, qualify, and optimize automated liquid handling systems
  • Build rapport with end-users and act as a trusted partner across R&D and clinical labs
  • Develop and maintain documentation, SOPs, and validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ)
  • Oversee equipment qualification and ensure seamless adoption in the labs
  • Provide user training, ongoing support, and continuous improvements
  • Collaborate on cross-functional projects, contributing to both short-term fixes and long-term solutions

What You Bring:

  • BS in engineering or related scientific field, or equivalent experience (MS preferred)
  • 2+ years in lab automation engineering, ideally in life sciences, biotech, pharma, or clinical settings
  • Hands-on experience with robotics, liquid handling systems, and automation integration
  • Strong programming or scripting foundation (method writing, labware configuration, or similar)
  • Familiarity with automated storage systems (Hamilton Verso, SPT Labtech, etc.) a plus
  • Flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities and occasional evening support needs

Skills That Set You Apart:

  • Strong project management and organizational skills
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts to diverse teams
  • A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and eagerness to take initiative
  • A passion for innovation in lab automation and a desire to learn continuously
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.

San Carlos, CA

$112,700 - $140,000 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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