Automation Engineer

The Automation Engineer will serve as the technical lead for laboratory automation and workflow integration in support of functional cellular assays and high-content screening projects at the Single Cell Biology Laboratory (SCBL) within The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (Farmington, CT). The SCBL is a core facility enabling the research community with advanced single-cell omics, spatial profiling, and high-content functional screening platforms. This role is central to the lab’s automation strategy and operational scalability, requiring strong expertise in liquid handling systems, robotic integration, and workflow orchestration across complex assay pipelines. We are seeking a dynamic, committed, and enthusiastic individual who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative research environment. You will partner closely with the Associate Scientist for Cellular Models to design, implement, and maintain automated workflows supporting 2D and 3D cell culture, organoids, co-culture systems, and iPSC-based models. You will be responsible for translating experimental workflows into robust, reproducible automated methods, optimizing instrument scheduling and integration, and ensuring seamless coordination between liquid handlers, incubators, imaging systems, and analytical platforms. Experience with high-content or high-throughput screening environments, laboratory robotics, scheduling software, and cross-platform integration is strongly preferred. Strong communication skills and a collaborative spirit are essential. In this role, you will work closely with SCBL staffs to enhance throughput, reproducibility, and data quality, while contributing to the continuous development of innovative and scalable automation solutions within the SCBL. Key Responsibilities Troubleshoot hardware and software issues across laboratory automation systems (liquid handlers, robotic arms, incubators, plate readers, centrifuges, etc.). Perform routine and preventative maintenance—including calibrations, alignments, PM cycles, and minor mechanical adjustments. Coordinate with vendors for repairs, service calls, upgrades, and preventive maintenance activities. Maintain logs, records, and documentation of repairs, calibrations, and system performance. Translate manual workflows into automated scripts with appropriate controls, tip strategies, error handling, and labware definitions. Conduct dry runs, wet tests, and QC checks; troubleshoot failed runs with both mechanical and software perspectives. Assist in scaling workflows for increased throughput or expanded use cases. Contribute to the design and fabrication of fixtures, adapters, plates, or mechanical components using CAD, 3D printing, or light machining. Assist in integrating sensors, peripherals, or custom hardware into existing automation platforms. Support mechanical prototyping and iterative design processes. Analyze data using commercial data analysis packages and effectively communicate results within a team environment. Evaluate new automation platforms, instruments, and emerging technologies; run feasibility tests where appropriate. Help implement and test API-based instrument interfaces or middleware components. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, such as reducing error rates, increasing throughput, improving reliability, or redesigning labware handling strategies. Provide feedback to biologists and software engineers to help refine workflows and user experiences. Draft and update SOPs, method documentation, and troubleshooting guides. Train operators and junior staff on equipment use, maintenance routines, and troubleshooting practices. Communicate results, observations, and system performance to cross-functional teams in a clear, data-driven manner. Work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment with scientists, software engineers, data scientists, and project managers. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities •Experience with Computer Assisted Design, 3D printing, and embedded systems OR microcontroller programming •Experience with programming/software development is a strong advantage, and demonstrated hands-on experience programming robotic instruments/liquid handlers (Tecan, Biomek, Hamilton) •Experience writing testable, well-structured, maintainable software or computer programs •Lab environment experience, particularly with "bench science", e.g. experience using manual pipettes, particularly cell culture. •Familiarity with laboratory test equipment (signal analyzer, digital multimeter) Education Level Required / Preferred: Bachelor's Degree / Master's Degree Experience Required / Preferred: 3 years / 4 years Pay Range: $65018 - $108857 About JAX: The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org. EEO Statement: The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws. Bar Harbor: The Jackson Laboratory's 43-acre scenic Bar Harbor campus is nestled between the Gulf of Maine and the mountains of Acadia National Park. Some of the best hiking and biking in the world (over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, views, and dramatic coastline) is accessible from our campus. We are one mile from downtown Bar Harbor, which offers a vibrant downtown district with a plethora of restaurants, shops, museums, and galleries. Ellsworth: The Charles E. Hewett Center in Ellsworth, Maine, is a state-of-the-art facility that serves researchers world wide. The facility represents the culmination of nine decades of unmatched experience and leadership in breeding and caring for laboratory mice. Ellsworth, Maine, is one of Maine’s fastest growing cities. With a growth rate of nearly 20%, Ellsworth is a bustling year-round community and acts as a hub for surrounding towns. It is located nearby Acadia National Park and hosts numerous special events, concerts and festivals each year. Residents have access to fabulous shopping, recreation, museums, galleries, and dining at a variety of independent restaurants. Farmington: JAX Genomic Medicine is transforming medicine by improving patient care, lowering costs, and increasing life span and health span. JAX Genomic Medicine’s research focuses on the complex genetic causes of disease and on the development of genomic solutions tailored to each person's unique genetic makeup. JAX Genomic Medicine sits on a 17-acre site on the campus of the University of Connecticut Health Center. The 183,500-square-foot facility opened in the fall of 2014. Now, it houses over 300 biomedical researchers, technicians, and support staff in state-of-the-art computing facilities and laboratories. In Connecticut, JAX resides in the scenic town of Farmington, in the state’s capitol region. The Hartford region, which offers some of the best public schools in the country, is made up of both bigger cities and smaller, charming historic New England towns. JAX Genomic Medicine is also geographically located within 2 hours of Boston and New York and is close to multiple transportation systems, including bus lines, highways, railroads and international airports. Sacramento: The JAX® Mice, Clinical and Research Services facility is located in Sacramento, the state capital of California. Sacramento is less than a two-hour drive from San Francisco, Napa Valley, and scenic Lake Tahoe, and a short flight to both Los Angeles and Orange County. Sacramento is the birthplace of the nation’s Farm to Fork movement, and offers excellent restaurants, gastro-pubs, wineries, theaters, and museums. Outdoor activities are plentiful: Boating, white water rafting, and riding the scenic bicycle trails are popular. Housing and other costs of living are more affordable in Sacramento and its surrounding suburbs than in most other neighboring areas in the North Bay, making Sacramento one of the hottest housing markets in the country year after year. Augusta: JAX’s Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) is located in Augusta, Maine, in the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care (HACCC), at Maine General Hospital. It began operations in 2016 with three overarching goals: to provide cancer genomic testing for Maine cancer patients; to develop and deliver physician education about clinical genomic cancer diagnostics; and to build a network in Maine of oncology practices conducting studies in genomic medicine.

Salary : $65,018 - $108,857