Staff / Principal Automated Systems Engineer

One Charles Park, Cambridge, MAfull timeOn Site

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senior

$163k–$228k

H1B: no

Lila Sciences Staff / Principal Automated Systems Engineer at Lila Sciences designs, develops, and implements automation solutions for laboratory workflows. This role leads scalable, high-throughput automated workcells and collaborates across science, hardware, controls, and software teams.

Responsibilities

Lila Sciences is seeking a highly skilled, hands-on Automated Systems Engineer to design, develop, and implement automation solutions across a broad range of laboratory workflows. Reporting to the Automated Systems Engineering Lead, this role is critical to building scalable, high-throughput automated workcells that translate scientific intent into reliable, real-world systems.
This role serves as a steward of scientific and cross-functional requirements—working closely with scientists, hardware, controls, and software teams to define scope, align interfaces, and drive projects from concept through deployment. The successful candidate will actively partner with scientific partners helping shape the technical direction of experimental automation in a fast-moving research environment.
What You'll Be Building
Technical Responsibilities
Actively contribute to hands-on development, testing, and implementation of automated workflows in the lab.
Develop scalable automated solutions for synthesis and characterization workflows, supporting a variety of material systems such as porous materials, catalysts, coatings, and advanced composites.
Define and document standardized laboratory workflows, operating procedures, and system architectures to support reproducibility and scale.
Lead and participate in equipment- and system-level FMEAs to improve robustness and operational safety.
Assist in the troubleshooting and optimization of automated systems for throughput, reliability, and adaptability across diverse workflows.
Design failure detection methods and maintain laboratory automation systems to ensure robust operations.
Project Innovation
Translate scientific objectives into well-scoped technical requirements and automation architectures.

Qualification

Understanding of Python programmingStrong critical thinking skillsWorking at Lila SciencesAI experimental design and simulationAutomated custom instrumentation

Required

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.
Strong hands-on experience developing and scaling automated workflows in laboratory or industrial settings.
Understanding of Python programming, including API integration and error handling.
Understanding of CAD design and rapid prototyping, including 3D printing.
Hands-on experience with hardware systems, including electrical wiring, sensors, liquid/gas plumbing, and PID controllers.
Strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
Familiarity with advanced experimental systems, including vacuum, laser, furnace, and electrochemical experimentation.
Knowledge of machine vision applications and robotics control algorithms.
Proven ability to integrate hardware and controls systems with automation workflows.
Understanding of AI-driven decision-making in research automation.
Prior experience leading technical teams in a fast-paced R&D environment.

Preferred

Working at Lila Sciences, you would have access to advanced technology in the areas of:
AI experimental design and simulation
Automated custom instrumentation
Generative molecular and material design

Benefits

Dental
Vision
Equity/RSU
Parental Leave
Life Insurance

Company

Lila Sciences

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Source: greenhouse

Active within the past hour

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PythonAPI integrationCAD design3D printingElectrical wiringSensors

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