Associate Director Automation Engineering

Leveraging an automated production platform JAXs iPSC repository is projected to become the largest in the world by 2030 by expanding to several thousand lines and enabling next-generation applications in disease modeling and drug discovery. The new Cellular Models production facility will behoused atThe Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine facility in Farmington Associate Director Automation Engineering will oversee the automated systems and serve as thefront-line managerfor the technologists ensuring workflow coordination and technical role guides the design implementation and maintenance of automated instruments workcells custom hardware and robotics solutions that support complex workflows. It combines hands-on engineering (mechanical and electrical) method development troubleshooting and operational support with leadership mentorship and cross-functional planning. The role collaborates closely with partners across engineering scientific data and project management functions to ensure the platform remains reliable scalable and technologically advanced.

For this role we are seeking candidates who can train for approximately one month at our New York City location and then work full time at our Farmington CT office.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions

• Lead mentor and develop the Cell Models team; provide technical direction delegation and ongoing coaching. Define best practices for method development troubleshooting maintenance and system upgrades. Establish engineering standards for documentation validation safety and change control.

• Coordinate team priorities and cross-functional communication with Software Biology and Platform Architecture teams. Oversee the design development and integration of automated instrumentation robotic systems and custom hardware across the Global Stem Cell Array. Work closely with biologists to translate manual workflows into automated processes with appropriate controls liquid classes calibrations and failure modes.

• Develop and validate liquid-handling methods across diverse platforms (e.g. Hamilton STAR/VANTAGE Agilent Bravo Dynamic Devices Lynx integrated workcells). Work with related teams to ensure seamless interoperability between automation hardware instrument control software LIMS and data systems. Create custom software utilities (scripts macros dashboards drivers) to support instrument control monitoring and workflow automation.

• Design and fabricate mechanical components fixtures adapters and prototypes using CAD 3D printing CNC machining or rapid prototyping methods. Integrate sensors microcontrollers actuators or third-party devices into existing automation platforms. Conduct feasibility assessments POCs and platform evaluations for new technologies or robotic solutions. Maintain an engineering-first approach to reliability ergonomics and scalability.

• Serve as the highest-level resource for diagnosing and resolving complex system issuesmechanical electrical pneumatic software or workflow-related. Partner with Software Engineering to integrate instrument behavior with LIMS orchestration layers and monitoring pipelines. Collaborate with the Platform Architect to ensure alignment between hardware architecture data structures workflows and interoperable subsystems. Communicate engineering insights and system performance trends to leadership and stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive preventative maintenance and repair program for all automated systems. Ensure systems meet internal quality standards safety regulations and research/manufacturing expectations. Train operators and junior engineers on troubleshooting maintenance and method debugging.

• Evaluate emerging automation platforms robotics frameworks and advanced instrumentation for adoption into the Array ecosystem. Identify opportunities for throughput increases process simplification and reductions in human intervention. Help lead technology transfer across sites and support scaling strategies for future automation expansions. Maintain deep familiarity with state-of-the-art tools in lab automation robotics machine vision and process engineering.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• BS Degree required Masters Degree preferred

• 5 years of hands-on experience developing maintaining and troubleshooting automated laboratory systems (liquid handlers robotics plate movers incubators imaging systems etc.). Excellent troubleshooting ability across mechanical electrical and software layers.

• 3 years of supervisory experience

• Demonstrated experience leading automation engineering teams or technical projects. Clear communication skills across technical and scientific teams.

• Expertise with one or more automation platforms (Hamilton STAR/VANTAGE Agilent Bravo Dynamic Devices Lynx or similar).

• Strong understanding of mechanical assemblies robotics motion control pneumatics and hardware integration. Proficiency with one or more programming languages used in automation (Python C# C/C MATLAB scripting languages).

• Experience with CAD rapid prototyping (3D printing) or CNC machining.

• Experience integrating instrumentation via vendor APIs serial communication TCP/IP SiLA2 or custom drivers. Familiarity with LIMS SQL databases data pipelines and workflow metadata structures.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced R&D environment with evolving priorities. Highly organized self-directed and effective at managing multiple parallel projects.

Pay Range for this opening is $113718 - $190388 based on total years of related experience

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine Connecticut California)Japan andChina. 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.

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.