Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 2, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 30, 2026. Natera scores B on the Alion truth index.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Senior Automation Engineer within the Platform group will join a tight-knit and cross-functional team of scientists and engineers who are tasked with developing a scalable and robust platform upon which the next generation of Natera clinical assays will be based. They will contribute to the design and development of fully hands-off automated systems and workcells, aid in translating manual molecular biology assays to liquid handling systems, and work to integrate a variety of in-house and off-the-shelf software systems. We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about the application of robotics to biology, believes that laboratory automation is more than just the walk-up application of liquid handlers, and most of all is excited about being at the forefront of clinical testing and having their work used in the clinical care of millions of patients.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Design, develop, and build systems that integrate software, automation, and biology into a robust and scalable clinical genomics assay platform.
- Work with scientists at the assay prototype stage to ensure that chemistry and laboratory hardware are optimally designed.
- Work closely with internal software development teams to ensure the seamless integration of LIMS with automation software
- Interface with external vendors to design custom hardware solutions and integrate external software.
- Lay the foundation and architecture for fully-automated laboratory systems at Natera.
- Write documentation and SOPs, and train engineers on the development, maintenance, troubleshooting of hardware and software systems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BA/BS or MS in engineering or similar field.
- 5 or more years of full-time experience in automation and systems development for the life science industry.
- Demonstrated track record of shipping complex automation projects in production.
- History of development and/or verification and validation for a molecular screening or diagnostic product a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to integrate a variety of instruments, such as liquid handlers, plate readers, and plate-handling robotics.
- Software development experience, or minimally familiar with software development practices.
- Excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills.
- Comfortable working with a variety of internal teams, and managing relationships with external contractors.
- Experience in programming and operating liquid handlers- Hamilton, Beckman, Tecan, etc.
- Experience working with LIMS systems is a plus.
- Strong project management skills, organizational skills, and written and verbal communication skills.
Compensation & Total Rewards
This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and skills considerations.
This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:
Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
401(k) with company match
Generous paid time off and company holidays
Additional wellness and work-life benefits
Compensation Range
$125,900—$157,400 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.
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