Laboratory Automation Engineer

Location: Onsite in Boulder, CO

About Our Company

Foresight Diagnostics is an early-stage, venture-backed molecular diagnostics company that is developing non-invasive cancer detection technologies to improve the lives of patients worldwide. Our portfolio of cell-free DNA based liquid biopsy tests are rooted in novel and proprietary methods developed at Stanford University. Our approach enables the earlier detection of smaller tumors, leading to more personalized and effective cancer treatment strategies for patients. We have deep expertise in molecular biology, bioinformatics, and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), and maintain a dynamic, fast-paced work environment with significant opportunities for high-impact contribution and rapid professional growth. Foresight Diagnostics is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado.

About The Role

The Lab Automation Engineer is responsible for supporting the development and continuous improvement of Foresight’s laboratory automation function as well as providing first line support for troubleshooting methods in the CLIA lab. As the business life cycle evolves to vertically integrate manufacturing, this role will support the development and implementation with transition to the tech transfer functions within the organization. This position will collaborate cross functionally to deliver on business objectives with the intention of cross functional integration and operational scaling. This is a full-time position working 11:30 to 8:30 Monday to Friday, but may require the flexibility to work diverse schedules, including weekends, and holidays.

What You Will Do

• Effectively deliver to project deadlines, on time and on budget, with adherence to applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
• Iterate on processes to drive continuous improvement with prioritization managed through the application/interpretation of KPI results.
• Regularly perform preventative maintenance and inspections on Foresight’s automated systems to ensure reliable functionality.
• Execute major and minor repairs or coordinate with vendors for more complex repairs.
• Collaborate with laboratory leads to align on automation requirements and develop workflows and instrument methods for laboratory optimization and software integration.
• Collaborate with Laboratory Operations to develop SOPs and training programs to enable successful tech transfer of new technology/workflows to the laboratory teams for production use.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Finance, and laboratory teams as necessary to properly forecast the number of automation instrumentation needed to meet volume demand, plan for and propose upgrades to the Foresight’s automation solution.
• As needed, perform maintenance to ensure operational capacity never impacts Foresight’s ability to successfully deliver on time results.
• Ensure effective resource utilization, planning and execution of people, process, and products in alignment with corporate objectives and volume projections across cross-functional teams.
• Implement laboratory processes that are compliant with appropriate regulations, to include but not limited to GxP, ISO, CFR, CAP/CLIA, NYSDOH.
• Guide troubleshooting and resolution of incident reports and CAPAs while driving continuous improvement.

What You Will Bring

• 5 years engineering experience supporting laboratory environments.
• A bachelor’s degree: BA/BS. An advanced degree, such as a Ph.D. or Masters degree preferred.
• Additional technical training would be a plus with an understanding of molecular biology and genomics.
• Working knowledge of liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton STAR line and Agilent Bravo preferred
• Proven ability to deliver actionable results to complex problems.
• Strong organizational skills with an understanding of scaling and capacity planning.
• Advanced analytical and operational skills with an ability to identify meaningful insights from complex data.
• Self-starter who thrives in ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to deliver on end-to-end projects with a high level of autonomy.

Physical and Mental Requirements, Working Conditions

• Learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, make timely decisions in the context of a workflow, ability to communicate with others, ability to complete tasks in situations that have a speed or productivity quota.
• This position requires the individual to wear and work in personal protective equipment. This individual may be working with potential biohazards related to blood-borne pathogens exposure and may be exposed to human diseases.
• Required to stand, walk, and sit; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone or video-conference; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms. Regularly required to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and move up to 25/50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• This is an essential position supporting clinical laboratory operations requiring attendance on weekends, holidays, and during emergency conditions, such as inclement weather and power failure.
• This position requires the ability to identify and resolve quality issues.
• This position is a full-time, in-person position in Boulder, CO.

Compensation and Benefits

This role is hiring at an annual salary of $120,000 - $135,000 and is eligible for bonus and equity offerings. Foresight offers benefits including paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave (if applicable), alongside medical, dental, vision, life, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, and a 401k with company match.

You will be working on interesting problems with extremely high impact. We promote the professional development of our employees and will encourage upward mobility within the company for high performing employees. Foresight Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.