Automation Engineer (Laboratory Automation)

Location: Palo Alto, California, USA; on-site

Salary: $120,000–$140,000 base salary per year

Company

hirify.global develops sustainable solutions in enzymes, ingredients, health, biosciences, taste, scent, and nutrition for healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets.

What you will do

• Partner with research and development scientists to identify automation opportunities and implement high-throughput laboratory solutions.
• Develop, optimize, and scale automated workflows that improve efficiency, quality, and scientific outcomes.
• Translate molecular biology and biochemistry workflows into automated protocols and robust laboratory processes.
• Evaluate laboratory instruments, automation platforms, and emerging technologies.
• Use data and scientific insights to improve processes, data quality, and metadata capture.
• Provide technical support for laboratory automation hardware and software, including maintenance and troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in life sciences, engineering, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in laboratory automation.
• Expertise operating and programming automated liquid handling systems.
• Hands-on experience translating wet-lab workflows into automated solutions and supporting high-throughput screening.
• Programming experience with Python or similar languages.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience working cross-functionally.

Nice to have

• Experience evaluating and implementing emerging laboratory technologies.
• Knowledge of laboratory data management systems and scientific data infrastructure.
• Proactive approach to learning and continuous process improvement.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, solution-oriented environment focused on innovation and biotechnology.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), vacation, and paid holidays.
• Sixteen weeks of paid parental leave and an annual bonus plan.
• Opportunities to collaborate with global research teams and support technology transfers across sites.
• Work focused on protein and strain engineering, biochemistry, sustainability, and related technologies.