Senior Automation Engineer, R&D

abbott· 4100 Exact Sciences Corp
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📍 United States - California - San DiegoFull time💰 USD 78K–156K

About this role

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

     

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Overview
The Senior Automation Engineer, R&D is a key problem solving, individual contributor that uses in-depth conceptual and practical knowledge to achieve project goals. This position will leverage understanding of engineering principles, methods, data, and judgment to influence the course of product development activities.

The Senior Automation Engineer, R&D will develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for Next-Generation Sequencing based assays in support of high complexity laboratory developed tests.  This position will utilize technical skills, with oversight, to participate in conceiving, planning, and executing research and development activities to achieve project goals. The successful candidate has experience working in a collaborative, fast-paced team to build scalable, highly integrated automation platforms which enable users to reliably and efficiently deliver timely, high-quality results in a regulated environment.

Essential Duties
Included, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Develop automated laboratory solutions to meet the requirements of existing or new assay workflows.
  • Iteratively design, develop, and implement automated liquid handler methods for use in a high throughout environment, improve methods based on feedback from experimental data and user feedback.
  • Support accurate and robust automation software integration with external systems (LIMS, integrated hardware, etc.).
  • Support design transfer and deployment of automation solutions across multiple sites which meet product requirements and are fully integrated with clinical laboratory workflows.
  • Support process development needs such as automated Operational Qualification procedures.
  • Mentor junior level engineers.
  • Assist and train laboratory personnel on the use of automated systems.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot automated systems and processes.
  • Participate in new product design and design improvements to existing products.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure all development activities are conducted in adherence to applicable national/international regulations, guidelines, company policies, SOPs, and industry standards.
  • Lead Human Factors Engineering/Usability Engineering tasks and activities.
  • Lead product risk management activities involving system Hazard Analysis (HA) Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA).
  • Collaborate with Quality team to establish templates and processes for the documentation of systems engineering tasks and activities.
  • Participate in the definition of key development deliverables, milestones, dependencies, risks, and mitigations as part of the Integrated Program Plan.
  • Establish interfaces across other organizational groups.
  • Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork.
  • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures.
  • Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
  • Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization.
  • Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day.
  • Ability to lift up to 20 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working day
  • Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
  • May perform repetitious actions using lab tools.
  • Ability to travel 10% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Biological Sciences or field as outlined in the essential duties.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in product development.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.
  • Legal authorization to work in the country of employment without current or future sponsorship.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Extensive Hamilton Venus programming experience
  • HSL code programming experience
  • Integration experience with workcells/end-to-end platforms

     

The base pay for this position is

$78,000.00 – $156,000.00

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

     

JOB FAMILY:

Engineering

     

DIVISION:

ONCO Cancer Diagnostics

        

LOCATION:

United States > La Jolla : Torrey Pines Science Park

     

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

     

WORK SHIFT:

Standard

     

TRAVEL:

Yes, 10 % of the Time

     

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

No

     

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:

Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday), Routine work with chemicals, Work with human blood or other potentially infectious materials

     

Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.

     

EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf

     

EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D role at abbott?
The listed salary for this Senior Automation Engineer, R&D position at abbott is USD 78K–156K. This is an Full time role.
Where is the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D position at abbott located?
This Senior Automation Engineer, R&D role at abbott is based in United States - California - San Diego. The position is listed as on-site or hybrid. Check the full job description or apply directly to confirm the work arrangement.
Is the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D role at abbott full-time or part-time?
This is listed as a Full time position. It is posted as a Senior Automation Engineer, R&D role in the 4100 Exact Sciences Corp department at abbott.
Which team or department does the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D at abbott belong to?
This Senior Automation Engineer, R&D position is part of the 4100 Exact Sciences Corp department at abbott. See the full job description for more information about the team structure and responsibilities.
How do I apply for the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D position at abbott?
Click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be redirected to abbott's official application portal hosted on workday where you can submit your application directly.
When was the Senior Automation Engineer, R&D job at abbott posted?
This Senior Automation Engineer, R&D position at abbott was posted on Aug 6, 2026. Apply as soon as possible — early applications are often reviewed first.
Senior Automation Engineer, R&D
abbott · 💰 USD 78K–156K
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