Senior Automation Engineering

At insitro, we aim to bring better drugs faster to the patients who can benefit most, through machine learning and data at scale. Our platform approach pushes us to build robust, reusable and scalable capabilities allowing for a continuous flywheel of discovery.

As a Senior Automation Engineer, you will collaborate with scientists, software engineers, and microscopy engineers to build and develop high quality automated systems and protocols. You will be a member of the Automation team and report to the Director, Process Engineering. This is an onsite role expected to be in the office at least 4 days/week in our South San Francisco Headquarters. You will work with a diverse team, learn a broad range of skills, and help shape insitro's culture, strategic direction, and outcomes. Join us, and help make a difference to patients!

Embed with folks within the scientific teams to define workflows, develop process specific QC metrics, and drive the translation of workflows onto automation systems

Design, develop and qualify new workcells and liquid handling protocols to enable new platform capabilities

Collaborate closely with the LIMS team to develop and implement automated data capture and LIMS integration to ensure seamless data flow from the robot to our AI/ML pipelines.

Work with the Systems Engineering team to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, software, and system integration issues to minimize equipment downtime and maintain operational continuity

Collaborate with folks from our machine learning, software engineering and scientific groups to solve questions ranging from technology onboarding, minimizing batch effects, or process improvements

Identify opportunities in how we develop, test and deploy automation solutions more efficiently

Work with automation leadership to create a census of automation, its current usage, and develop and implement a plan for areas of retirement, growth, or re-deployment.

Bachelor's degree or higher in Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Software or Bioengineering, or Physics, Chemistry or Biology

D. with 3+ years of professional experience working with automation hardware

Proficiency in automation and systems development/integration within the life sciences industry, specifically with robotics and liquid handling platforms

Proficiency in software programming (Python, SQL, and/or C#) and data handling (including database work) is highly preferred

You understand existing capabilities of the lab automation industry and have a track record showing technical depth in automation systems of varying scale

You are comfortable completing work independently on complex projects and can also give guidance to others on daily work

You have experience in managing the relationship to other engineering functions (eg. third party service providers and vendors or internal mechanical or software engineering teams)

You have experience automating scientific workflows (ex. Our target starting salary for successful US-based applicants for this role is $173,000 - $183,000. We may also adjust this range in the future based on market data.

This role is eligible for participation in our Annual Performance Bonus Plan (based on company targets by role level and annual company performance) and our Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the terms of those plans and associated policies.

Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as mental health and well-being support

Open, flexible vacation policy

Quarterly budget for books and online courses for self-development

New hire stipend for home office setup

Monthly cell phone & internet stipend

Access to a free commuter bus network that provides transport to and from our South San Francisco HQ from locations all around the Bay Area

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion need to be at the foundation of our culture. insitro is a drug discovery and development company using machine learning (ML) and data at scale to decode biology for transformative medicines. At the core of insitro’s approach is the convergence of in-house generated multi-modal cellular data and high-content phenotypic human cohort data. We rely on these data to develop ML-driven, predictive disease models that uncover underlying biologic state and elucidate critical drivers of disease. insitro is advancing a wholly owned and partnered pipeline of insights and therapeutics in neuroscience and metabolism. Since launching in 2018, insitro has raised over $700 million from top tech, biotech and crossover investors, and from collaborations with pharmaceutical partners.