Automation Engineer

Do you want to join one of the fastest-growing molecular diagnostics startups and develop products that can affect the lives of millions?

BillionToOne, ranked at the top 5% of Y Combinator companies with $300M+ in funding from prominent VC firms, has developed a DNA molecular counter that increases cfDNA diagnostic resolution by over 1,000 fold. BillionToOne's first product, UNITY™ is the first and only non-invasive prenatal test that can directly screen an unborn baby and assess its risk for common and severe recessive gene disorders and chromosomal abnormalities, as well as fetal sex and fetal antigens, from a single tube of blood from the pregnant mother without paternal testing.

In 2023, BillionToOne launched two liquid biopsy products that will markedly improve oncology treatment and care. With Northstar Select™, clinicians will be able to select cancer therapies that will be most effective to each patient based on their individual genetic makeup. Northstar Response™ will enable clinicians to monitor a patient’s early response to these cancer therapies, by measuring minute changes in their ctDNA, which can reduce ineffective treatments and unwanted toxicity, lower costs, and substantially improve clinical outcomes.

We are looking for an Automation Engineer to join our growing Process Engineering team responsible for innovative solutions to support the high-complexity and high-growth clinical laboratory. This is a dynamic, start-up environment that requires adaptability and the ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts. The Automation Engineer reports to the Senior Service and Automation Engineering Manager and is an onsite position. This role will help to build upon the strong technology and execution found within BTO’s walls, and will help us pave the way for replicating our prenatal success in the oncology space. This is considered an onsite role and will require the majority of days to be spent in the office at either the Menlo Park or Union City sites.

Responsibilities:

• End-to-end development, design, integration, and validation of automation systems and protocols on liquid handling platforms (Hamilton, Beckman Biomek, Agilent Bravo etc.) in the clinical laboratory
• Identify, develop, and implement process improvements to design and improve robust laboratory procedures
• Collaborate with the clinical and R&D teams to transfer new products and procedures onto the automated platforms
• Provide training and guidance to employees in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of new equipment
• Develop and prepare documentation for procedure changes, instrument validations, IQ/OQ/PQ, standard operating procedures, and related documents

Requirements:

• BS or higher in Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, or related field
• 2 to 4 years of experience in assay automation on liquid handlers (i.e. Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent, Tecan, Dynamic Devices)
• Experience in a high-complexity clinical laboratory
• Technical proficiency and proven success in laboratory automation and systems development
• Strong multi-tasking, project management, organizational, communication, and documentation skills
• Software development experience in one or more languages (Python preferred)
• Strong laboratory understanding with experience in next-generation sequencing library preparation

Nice-to-Haves:

• Certification in one of the major liquid handling systems (Hamilton, Beckman, Agilent, Tecan)
• Experience working under regulatory environments such as CLIA, CAP, or FDA
• Experience with Clarity LIMS or other LIMS systems
• Experience with integrated systems
• Experience with designing or working with Workcells

Benefits And Perks:

• Working with a team of ‘rockstars’ who bring out the best in everyone
• Open, transparent culture that includes weekly Town Hall meetings
• The ability to indirectly or directly change the lives of hundreds of thousand patients
• Multiple medical benefit options; employee premiums paid 100% of select plans, dependents covered at 80%
• Extremely generous Family Bonding Leave for new parents (16 weeks, paid at 100%)
• Retirement savings program including a 4% Company match
• Free daily on-site lunches provided from top eateries
• Latest and greatest hardware (laptop, lab equipment, facilities)
• A variety of perks on campus (state of the art gym, restaurant)
• Free on-site EV charging (compatible with all EVs, including Tesla)

At BillionToOne, we are proud to offer a combination of a (1) base pay range (actual amount offered is based experience and salary/equity options split that the candidate chooses) (2) generous equity options offering, on top of (3) industry leading company benefits (free healthcare options, 401k match, very generous fully paid parental leave etc.).

For this position, the base pay range is: $100,000-$120,000 per year.

BillionToOne is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.