About this Senior Automation Engineer (I, II, III) role at Cellares
We are seeking an Automation Engineer to drive and support the development, platforming and day-to-day operation of automated QC workflows in our Cell Q system at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role is central to translating newly developed assays into scalable, automated workflows ahead of transfer and validation on Cell Q.
The successful candidate will work hands-on to develop and program liquid handling methods, write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code, and test these methods to confirm functionality and performance before they move into validation. Working closely with Analytical Development, Quality Control, Software, Manufacturing and IT, the Automation Engineer will contribute to development, user training, technical documentation and controlled management of automated test methods.
Candidates should enjoy working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and be comfortable owning assay automation from early-stage development through hand-off for validation.
Responsibilities
Design and develop automated liquid handling protocols to platform new assays onto the Cell Q system
Partner with Analytical Development (AD) to translate manually developed assays into automation-compatible methods
Write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code to implement and integrate automation solutions
Design and execute validation experiments to optimize assay and workflow parameters.
Conduct testing of newly developed automated methods to confirm functionality and performance ahead of formal validation
Troubleshoot and iterate on liquid handler methods and GBG scripts throughout development
Collaborate with QC, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality to support the transition of developed assays into validated production use
Document method development, coding logic, and testing outcomes to support downstream validation and transfer
Monitor and refine automated workflows based on development and testing feedback to improve reliability and performance
Requirements
Bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
2+ years of experience developing and programming liquid handling automation methods. Experience on Tecan Fluent preferred.
Hands-on experience coding in Biosero's Green Button Go (GBG) software, or equivalent scheduling software experience
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or C#
Experience working cross-functionally to platform manual assays onto automated systems
Familiarity with flow cytometry, genomic, and cell-based assays
Experience with laboratory analytical instruments and automated systems
Familiarity with GMP documentation and change control practices, or ability to quickly learn regulated documentation requirements
Strong technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, documentation, and training materials
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues during method development
Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple development efforts simultaneously
Creative, self-motivated, eager to take on a wide variety of tasks and grow with the evolving technology
Self-awareness, integrity, authenticity, and a growth mindset
