Automation Engineer I, R&D

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You'll also have access to: 

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. 
• An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution. 
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. 
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. 

Position Overview

The Automation Engineer I will join a highly collaborative, cross-functional team including  Systems Development,  R&D, Operations and  IT to develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for pre-analytical sample processing, Immunoassay and Next-Generation Sequencing based assays in support of high complexity  medical devices . This role requires experience working on a collaborative, fast-paced team to build scalable, highly integrated automation platforms which enable users to reliably and efficiently deliver timely, high-quality results that directly impact patients' lives  in a n FDA regulated environment. This role requires employing engineering concepts across many disciplines (software, mechanical, electrical, biomedical, etc.) to solve problems within complex systems.

Essential Duties

include but are not limited to the following: 

• Develop automated laboratory solutions through programming of liquid handling robotics platforms to meet the requirements of existing assay workflows , in an FDA regulated medical device environment
• Participate in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
• Work with cross-functional teams to understand laboratory processes and procedures and translate into user needs and software requirements.
• Develop robust automated liquid handler methods for scalable and high throughput use that integrate with larger software systems for data management and sample tracking.
• Iteratively develop and improve  software based on feedback from experimental data and user feedback. 
• Maintain and improve the performance of existing software.
• Troubleshoot issues across electrical, mechanical, and software systems to perform root cause analysis and issue resolution.
• Review and debug complex software.
• Design experiments studying impact of software controls on mechanical systems.
• Use good documentation practices to write test protocols, execute experiments according to protocols, write test reports, and manage deviations.
• Write technical documents under formal design controls for medical devices with team input, including but not limited to software requirements and software design descriptions.
• Ability to establish high level of credibility and maintain effective relationships and strong open communication with employee, managers, and customers. 
• Ability to meet critical deadlines and successfully facilitate constructive engagements. 
• Ability to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner. 
• Ability to prioritize and drive to results with a high emphasis on quality. 
• Ability to work with moderate supervision and take ownership of assigned projects. 
• Ability to follow and optimize processes. 
• Ability to work as part of a team. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, detail oriented, with strong organization and time management skills. 
• Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. 
• Support and comply with the company's Quality Management System policies and procedures. 
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance. 
• Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization. 
• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day. 
• Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• B.S. in Life Sciences, Engineering, or field as outlined in the essential duties. 
• 1+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.). Experience with Hamilton liquid handlers is desired. 
• High attention to detail and proven ability to effectively communicate across teams located at multiple sites. 
• Optimistic and innovative; solution oriented. 
• Proven ability to troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with a team of scientists. 
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and demands. 
• Values, communicates, and interacts with others with high levels of transparency and respect. 
• Familiarity with Next-Generation sequencing and/or common molecular biology laboratory workflows. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, such as: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, and Publisher. 
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.S. degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or field as outlined in the essential duties. 
• 2+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (FDA, CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.).
• Experience with Hamilton liquid handlers is desired. 
• Knowledge of the software development lifecycle for a medical device.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• New grads welcome to apply. 

The base pay for this position is $50,700.00 – $101,300.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.