Senior Sustaining Automation Engineer
ElegenJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Elegen is seeking a Senior Sustaining Automation Engineer to join its on-site weekend Automation Team in Menlo Park. This role sustains and troubleshoots automated lab systems in a fast paced production environment, with a Wednesday to Sunday schedule, 3:30 PM to 12:00 AM. Ideal candidates have hardware experience with liquid handlers and workcell integration, plus hands-on maintenance, diagnostics, and vendor coordination. Essential tasks include preventive maintenance, instrument swaps, Jira/Slack ticketing, logs, SOPs, and training. Required: 2+ years with liquid handlers, automation scheduling software, ARTEL MVS, UR arms, IQ/OQ/PQ, and willingness to work the schedule. Bonus: biology familiarity, basic programming, JIRA, and reporting. Tip for applicants: highlight concrete maintenance wins and weekend availability.
Elegen is blazing a path towards a biology-based economy with a highly innovative approach to DNA synthesis that delivers an industry leading length of 7kb in 7 business days with a 99.999% per base accuracy. Our multidisciplinary team of best-in-class biologists, chemists, hardware, and software engineers apply cutting-edge technologies and methods to solve critical bottlenecks in synthetic biology workflows to help our customers in pharma, biotech, agbio, and biomanufacturing streamline their work and realize the full potential of programmable biology.
We are seeking a Senior Sustaining Automation Engineer to join Elegen’s fast-paced Automation Team. This is an on-site weekend swing role, with a regular schedule of Wednesday through Sunday, 3:30 PM–12:00 AM. We are looking for someone with a strong hardware background in laboratory automation devices and who has experience working with integrated devices inside a workcell.
This position supports and sustains laboratory automation systems in a dynamic production environment. The ideal candidate is flexible, hands-on, and comfortable with rapid changes in priorities. A typical day may range from documentation updates and preventive maintenance to full instrument swaps within an automation workcell.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Install, deinstall, maintain, repair, and test automated laboratory equipment
- Monitor and respond to automation-related Jira tickets and Slack channels
- Maintain accurate maintenance logs and service records
- Communicate instrument status, downtime, and planned maintenance
- Coordinate with third-party vendors for service and documentation
- Develop SOPs, checklists, and service documentation
- Support maintenance and validation system improvements
- Troubleshoot automation issues for users
- Train users on proper instrument operation
Essential Candidate Profile :
- Proficiency in programming, maintaining, and troubleshooting liquid handlers of any type (Agilent, Beckman, Hamilton, Tecan, etc.), with 2+ years of hands-on experience
- 2+ years programming or editing automation scheduling software (Overlord, Cellario, GBG, Momentum, etc.)
- Hands-on experience with liquid handler volume verification testing using ARTEL MVS, fluorescence, or similar methods
- Demonstrated ability to set up robotic arms within a workcell (UR10, KX-2, PF-400, etc.)
- Proven track record in maintaining and troubleshooting lab instruments (PlateLoc, XPeel, ATC, MultiFlo, D2, Cytomat, Liconic, etc.)
- Skilled in creating SOPs and formal technical documentation (IQ, OQ, PQ, etc.)
- Willingness to work 3pm - 12:00am, Wednesday-Sunday.
Preferred Candidate Qualifications:
- Familiarity with basic molecular biology protocols such as PCR, NGS, Reagent Prep,
- Basic programming skills in a high-level language such as Python, C#, Java, JavaScript, or a similar language.
- Understanding of ticketing software such as JIRA
- Experience producing system performance reports such as uptime, liquid handling calibration, error resolution, CAPA, etc.
Salary and Benefits:
The annual base salary compensation for this role, if based in California is: $135,000 - $160,000. Compensation may be different in other locations. Final compensation also includes bonus, equity and benefits. Specific offer packages are determined by multiple factors, including candidate skill, experience, expertise, and location.
✓ Healthcare ✓ Dental ✓ Vision ✓ Learning Allowance
✓ 401K ✓ Flexible PTO ✓ Short Term Disability ✓ Fitness Allowance
✓ Long Term Disability ✓ Parental Leave Program ✓ Commuter Benefits
About The Company:
Founded and led by Dr. Matthew Hill and located in San Carlos, CA, Elegen is well-capitalized by top life science investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, 8VC, and KdT. The company is advised and staffed by leading biotechnology scientists and entrepreneurs, including Dr. Marc Unger, inventor of the Nanoflex™ valve, and former CSO of Fluidigm. Dr. Hill has a PhD from Stanford and a proven track record of advancing innovative technologies from invention to commercial success. Over eight years in his previous role as VP of R&D at a leading molecular diagnostics company, he co-invented and launched five precision molecular diagnostic products, including a best-in-class noninvasive prenatal test used by millions. These products earn more than $350 million per year in revenue and enabled an IPO.
Elegen is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Elegen provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other category protected by law. All applicants have rights under the following Federal Employment Laws: