Sr. Lab Process Automation Engineer

At Personalis, we are transforming the active management of cancer through breakthrough personalized testing. We aim to drive a new paradigm for cancer management, guiding care from biopsy through the life of the patient. Our highly sensitive assays combine tumor-and-normal profiling with proprietary algorithms to deliver advanced insights even as cancer evolves over time. Our products are designed to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and recurrence at the earliest timepoints, enable selection of targeted therapies based on ultra-comprehensive genomic profiling, and enhance biomarker strategy for drug development. Personalis is based in Fremont, California.

Summary:

The Senior Process Automation Engineer within the Research, Product Development and Technology Transfer Group contributes to the development and implementation of automation systems and workflows to support the processing of samples in a clinical diagnostics and research laboratory environments.  This individual collaborates within a team of scientists and engineers upon projects to conceptualize, design, develop, and implement solutions designed to optimize the performance and increase the efficiencies of the laboratory processes.

Responsibilities:

• Principal responsibilities of this position include automation projects leadership.
• Lead the development and integration of the automation systems and related software tools, preparing the documentation for equipment validation and operating procedures.
• Develop scripts for liquid handling robots and other lab automation instruments.
• Building rapport with end-users, lab supervisors and process owners, and coordinate with cross functional teams to ensure the successful implementation in the labs.
• Define and lead the automation systems development, testing and qualification requirements.
• Support the documentation efforts for equipment validation and operating procedures.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, analyze data and help drive key process related decisions.
• Collaborate with external vendors to assess and implement new solutions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/biochemistry field and a minimum of 5 years of experience, or Advanced degree in engineering/biochemistry field and a minimum of 3 years of experience in NGS lab as an automation programmer. 
• Technical proficiency and experience in automation systems development and integration for the life science industry; especially with robotics and liquid handling systems is required.
• Hamilton Venus 4 or 6 programming experience is required.
• Experienced in deploying automation methods using GitHub/GitLab.
• Good Project management, organizational and written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to communicate effectively across teams to understand problems, come up with solutions and explain methodological details and results from analysis.
• Mentor, develop and provide guidance to other team members.
• Experienced in drafting user requirements, testing and Standard Operating Procedures, and related documentations; and overseeing the functional and validation testing, IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Flexibility and self-initiative required to support several simultaneous projects.
• Able to work independently on identification and resolution of open-ended problems of diverse scope.  
• Able to work on complex problems in which analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of various factors. Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results.

The hiring range for this position is $135,000 to $165,000 per year, which may factor in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. Our full-time regular positions also include an annual performance-based bonus (or a sales incentive plan) and long-term incentive units (equity) provided as part of our compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Personalis is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. As part of this commitment, Personalis will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you need an accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please let your recruiter know, if/when they contacts you.

Protecting Our Candidates: At Personalis, we value your security. Please note that all official correspondence from our team will come exclusively from @personalis.com email addresses. We will never ask for personal financial information or conduct interviews over text or chat platforms. If you receive a suspicious request, it is likely a scam. We are committed to a safe recruitment experience and actively work with authorities to investigate and prosecute cyber crimes targeting our community.

Personalis is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabilities. Personalis offers a competitive compensation package and benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, ESPP, tuition reimbursement, sick/vacation time, commuter benefits/ EV charging stations, onsite gym, and wellness benefits. (For US only, benefits in other countries may vary.) 

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