Lead Lab Robotics & Automation Engineer

Kforce has a client that is seeking a Lead Lab Robotics and Automation Engineer in Lewisville, TX. Summary: If you enjoy building automation that runs reliably at scale-and being the person teams count on when systems need to perform 24/7-this role offers real ownership. You will serve as the technical lead for laboratory robotics and liquid-handling automation, driving new workflow development, deployment, and long-term sustainment across production and R&D environments. This is a high-impact position for someone who likes solving complex problems, improving uptime, and turning scientific workflows into robust, repeatable automated processes. Duties:

• Lead automation design and rollout: Deliver advanced robotic automation solutions and integrate them into production and R&D workflows with high reliability
• Build and optimize liquid-handler methods: Develop complex scripts/methods (primarily Hamilton/Venus) with strong error handling, recovery logic, custom liquid classes, simulations, and data checks
• Keep critical systems running: Drive troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for integrated automation systems to protect turnaround times and maximize uptime
• Use metrics to improve performance: Analyze automation performance and sample/run data to identify failure patterns, tune methods, and raise system resilience
• Mentor and guide: Provide technical leadership and coaching to engineers, scientists, and operational staff on best practices, capabilities, and troubleshooting
• Partner cross-functionally: Collaborate with R&D, bioinformatics, operations, and facilities to ensure workflows are scalable, maintainable, and production-ready
• Own validation and documentation: Lead verification, system testing, and qualification documentation for new hardware, software, and integrations
• Support continuous operations: Coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs for advanced instruments in a 24/7 environment, including vendor engagement when needed
• Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent practical experience where applicable)
• 7+ years developing and deploying complex automation scripts on liquid-handling platforms
• Hands-on Hamilton experience required (Tecan strongly preferred)
• Strong expertise in method development, error recovery logic, and method validation
• Experience designing, executing, and optimizing molecular assay workflows (e.g., NGS or other high-complexity molecular methods)
• Proven ability to troubleshoot integrated automation systems and resolve production-impacting issues
• Comfortable using system and instrument metrics to guide design decisions and reliability improvements
• Solid foundation in software/system testing and validation practices

• Led cross-site deployments or served as technical lead for large integration programs
• Familiarity with scheduling/orchestration tools (e.g., HighRes, Biosero) and LIMS integrations
• Instrument vendor application/service engineering background
• Programming experience (Python, C++, Java, C#) and version control (Git/GitHub)
• Exposure to IVD design controls and/or CAP/CLIA environments

• Independent, proactive problem solver who anticipates issues before they impact operations
• Strong communicator who can translate technical detail for both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Organized and execution-focused-able to manage multiple priorities and drive projects to completion
• Collaborative leader who influences without needing formal authority