Director, Analytical Operations- Laboratory Automation (United States - California - Foster City)

This job is with Gilead Sciences Inc., an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

At Gilead, we're creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we've tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer - working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world's biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference.

 

Every member of Gilead's team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we're looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact.

 

We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together.

Job Description

 

Job Summary

The Director of Laboratory Automation will serve as a technical and strategic leader within the Analytical Development (AD) organization, responsible for the design, implementation, and management of automated platforms and workflows. You will be responsible for transforming manual sample preparation schemes, HPLC/GC-MS analysis, and data processing into seamless, continuous high-throughput operations, sustaining an enterprise-wide automation vision that accelerates method development timelines, improves data quality, and enhances laboratory capacity. This individual will partner closely other stakeholders in PDM and IT/Digital to drive digital transformation across method development, sample management, and high-throughput platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the Analytical Development lab automation strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned to pipeline, capability needs, and digital/IT strategy.

• Lead selection, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of automation platforms (e.g., liquid handlers, robotics, integrated analytical systems) across AD laboratories.

• Partner with AD functional leaders to identify high-value use cases and translate scientific workflows into standardized, scalable automated processes.

• Supervise integration of HPLC, GC, and MS instruments with robotics for continuous automated testing.

• Work closely with Tech Dev and IT stakeholder in the integration of automation with informatics (LIMS/ELN/SDMS), scheduling, data pipelines to enable end-to-end digital workflows and data integrity.

• Establish and maintain governance for automation demand intake, prioritization, standards, and portfolio tracking (value realization, throughput, quality, and cycle time).

• Build and lead a high-performing team (automation engineers, application scientists, and/or system owners); coach, develop, and hire as needed.

• Manage vendor and partner relationships.

• Oversee capital planning and operating budgets for automation investments; develop business cases and ROI models.

• Develop training, support, and sustainment models to ensure robust adoption, uptime, and user satisfaction.

• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement; apply Lean/continuous improvement principles to laboratory workflows.

 

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related field; or MS/BS with commensurate experience.

• 8+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical/biotech analytical development and laboratory automation with Ph.D., 10+ years with MS and 12+years with BS.

• Demonstrated success delivering automated, integrated laboratory workflows that improve throughput, quality, and cycle time.

• Hands-on experience with common automation and integration technologies (e.g., liquid handling platforms, robotic arms, plate handling, barcode/RFID, vision systems) and laboratory middleware.

• Experience integrating automation with LIMS/ELN/SDMS and data systems; familiarity with API-based integration and data pipelines

• Strong understanding of analytical development workflows (e.g., method development/qualification, characterization, stability, sample management) and associated instrumentation.

• Strong knowledge of data integrity principles

• Proven ability to influence across functions (AD, Process Chemistry, Formulation, IT/Digital, Quality, Procurement, Facilities/EHS) and communicate with executive stakeholders.

• Strategic thinking: connects automation investments to scientific outcomes and business value.

• Systems mindset: designs solutions that consider people, process, data, and technology end-to-end.

• Change leadership: drives adoption through stakeholder engagement, training, and clear operating models.

• Execution excellence: delivers reliably in a matrixed, fast-paced environment with disciplined project management.

• Talent development: recruits, coaches, and develops diverse technical teams; fosters collaboration and accountability.

 

 

The salary range for this position is: $226,185.00 - $292,710.00. Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including experience, qualifications, and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary. This position may also be eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, discretionary stock-based long-term incentives (eligibility may vary based on role), paid time off, and a benefits package. Benefits include company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans*.

For additional benefits information, visit:

* Eligible employees may participate in benefit plans, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans.

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Gilead Sciences Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact View email address on apply.placed-app.com for assistance.

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