Who We Are:

Calico (Calico Life Sciences LLC) is an Alphabet-founded research and development company whose mission is to harness advanced technologies and model systems to increase our understanding of the biology that controls human aging. Calico will use that knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives.  Calico’s highly innovative technology labs, its commitment to curiosity-driven discovery science, and, with academic and industry partners, its vibrant drug-development pipeline, together create an inspiring and exciting place to catalyze and enable medical breakthroughs.

Position Description

Calico is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Automation Engineer to join our laboratory automation team.  This person will be a key member of the team, focused on migrating assays and processes from bench-top to automated liquid handling systems and integrated robotic platforms.  They will be building solutions for Calico’s core technology labs, enabling our scientists to accelerate their research.  

Creativity, analytical thinking, and the ability to troubleshoot and solve problems while maintaining a positive attitude are critical to success in this position. If you are an enthusiastic team player, detail-oriented, extremely organized, and comfortable working on complex problems, then we’d love to have you on the team.

Position Responsibilities

  • Able to program complex processes on the liquid handling systems, handling all aspects from requirements gathering to hands-on development and testing to process validation and hand-offAble to perform hands-on troubleshooting, train end users, recover from errors, and proactively maintain equipment 
  • Manage multiple systems in core lab environments: establish best practices, proactively monitor system performance, respond to errors and urgent requests in a timely manner
  • Able to define requirements and specifications for internal clients and work with vendors to design and configure systems to meet those needs
  • Capable of managing cross-functional project groups (scientists, managers, IT, facilities) necessary for successfully setting up large systems and related infrastructure

Position Requirements

  • BS/MS in science or engineering discipline, minimum 7 years of relevant experience, PhD not required
  • Detailed knowledge of multiple commercial liquid handling systems (e.g. Hamilton Vantage, Tecan EVO, Agilent Bravo, or similar liquid handling platforms) 
  • Experience with assay development: liquid handling performance qualification, biological assay optimization, and inter-/intra- assay performance validation
  • Expertise with protocol development and operation of integrated robotic systems and automation scheduling software applications (e.g. Agilent VWorks, Biosero GreenButtonGo)
  • Proficiency with any major programming language (e.g. C#.NET, python)
  • Experience with one or more of the following standard life-science application areas: microbiology, molecular biology, flow cytometry, high content analysis (HCA), high throughput screening (HTS), genomics and sequencing, or mass spectrometry
  • Must of be willing to work onsite four days a week

The estimated base salary range for this role is $158,000 - $198,000. Actual pay will be based on a number of factors including experience and qualifications. This position is also eligible for two annual cash bonuses.

 

 

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