What are the responsibilities and job description for the Automation Engineer position at Caris Life Sciences?
At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives.
We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do.
But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.
Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.
Position Summary
The Automation Engineer will work with Senior Automation Engineers to propose, develop, test, and validate laboratory automation. Significant time will be spent working with liquid handlers. The Automation Engineer will take a project from conception to prototype to validation and deployment. This role will work with vendors, R&D, and Clinical teams to ensure automated solutions are robust, efficient, and easily adaptable. Projects can change quickly and frequently, flexibility in skillsets and focus is a must.
Job Responsibilities
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting-edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do.
But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose.
Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.
Position Summary
The Automation Engineer will work with Senior Automation Engineers to propose, develop, test, and validate laboratory automation. Significant time will be spent working with liquid handlers. The Automation Engineer will take a project from conception to prototype to validation and deployment. This role will work with vendors, R&D, and Clinical teams to ensure automated solutions are robust, efficient, and easily adaptable. Projects can change quickly and frequently, flexibility in skillsets and focus is a must.
Job Responsibilities
- Work with Senior Engineers to program and develop methods for liquid handlers, contributing to the design of efficient laboratory processes.
- Modify, develop, implement, and validate scripts/methods on liquid handlers.
- Develop/optimize/validate custom liquid classes to ensure proper volume transfer.
- Install, integrate, and maintain laboratory automation, hardware and software, including programming third-party automation systems.
- Stress test systems/methods to ensure robustness of method functionality.
- This role includes collaborating with cross-functional teams, participating in experiments, and performing system validations. Ensure instruments/methods are validated in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Author process documentation, conduct training, and support troubleshooting efforts.
- Utilize data-driven insights to improve existing automation platforms, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
- Own individual projects to enhance automation workflows, incorporating best practices in lab automation, data analysis, and process optimization.
- Provide solutions to optimize methods/workflows.
- Evaluate new technologies as appropriate.
- Drive other directives and initiatives, accepting additional responsibilities as assigned.
- Independently operate, troubleshoot, and optimize a range of lab instruments and automated platforms (liquid handlers, work cells, scheduling software, etc.).
- Contribute to software integration and testing methodologies.
- Develop validation protocols for automated workflows, perform risk assessments, and ensure quality control measures align with regulatory requirements.
- Assist in transitioning new automation platforms from development to production by defining stability metrics and validating performance.
- Review instrument data to identify trends, mitigate risks, and propose long-term solutions.
- Take ownership of individual project execution, manage tasks & timelines, and provide aid for senior team members to elevate team capabilities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences or related field.
- Experience in laboratory automation role, equipment, R&D, or clinical laboratory roles (0-2 years).
- Exposure to liquid handler scripting (Tecan, Hamilton, Bravo, etc.).
- General understanding of liquid classes and their development and testing.
- Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
- Flexibility and self-initiative are required to support several simultaneous automation projects.
- Strong experience engaging cross-functionally in a high-collaboration environment.
- Strong organizational skills, as well as written and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional project management and time management skills; ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be able to articulate proposed solutions and associated benefits across Stakeholders.
- Keen ability to conceptualize, analyze and implement new processes/process changes.
- Aptitude for learning new technologies and applying knowledge to both large- and small-scale automation.
- ASCP Certification.
- 2 years working in CAP/CLIA/FDA regulated laboratory.
- Experience in a high throughput CAP/CLIA, ISO 13485/15189, GMP regulated environment.
- Familiar in industry standard laboratory automation platforms (liquid handlers, work cells, scheduling software, etc.) and other commonly used laboratory equipment.
- Experience with equipment functionality and validation testing.
- Software development experience in one or more languages (C#, Python, etc.).
- Experience encompassing method design and development as well as liquid class optimization.
- Experience working with SolidWorks or other modeling software.
- Experience with large scale automation.
- Experience with PAC, PLC, IOT, and or Digital Twin.
- Must possess ability to sit, stand, and/or work at a computer for long periods of time.
- May have exposure to blood-borne pathogens, extreme temperatures, high noise levels, fumes and bio-hazardous material/chemicals including formalin in the lab environment.
- All job specific, safety, and compliance training are assigned based on the job functions associated with this employee.
- This position is expected to be onsite during normal business hours
- Job may require after-hours response to emergency issues.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Caris Life Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.