Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

Location: Bethesda, Maryland, United States; work is performed in an autonomous biological laboratory.

Salary: $120,000–$160,000 USD annual base compensation.

Company

hirify.global is a bioscience and information technology company developing translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science tools for research centers and healthcare organizations, including institutes at the National Institutes of Health.

What you will do

• Program, calibrate, integrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots, including robotic arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, incubator interfaces, and imaging interfaces.
• Deploy and extend MADSci modules, nodes, and workcell definitions for commanding, monitoring, and scheduling laboratory robots and instruments.
• Translate cell culture, iPSC maintenance, passaging, media exchange, imaging, and sampling protocols into automated workflows with sequencing, timing, resource tracking, and failure recovery.
• Connect robot and instrument outputs to IDSS data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems so experiments are logged, traceable, and reusable.
• Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, monitoring, interlocks, and safe-state behavior; troubleshoot faults and document root causes and fixes.
• Evaluate robotics tools and simulators, prepare technical assessments, train laboratory staff, and write standard operating procedures and technical documentation.

Requirements

• Several years of hands-on experience with laboratory robotics or comparable automation, including installing, programming, calibrating, and troubleshooting robotic arms, liquid handlers, plate handlers, or workcells.
• Experience with vendor APIs and SDKs, device drivers, and orchestration or scheduling software for laboratory robots.
• Experience with robotics in a biological laboratory, including cell culture, molecular biology, or assay automation, and comfort working with biological materials under biosafety practices.
• Strong Python, including asynchronous or service-style code, REST APIs, and hardware or network protocols such as serial, TCP/IP, or OPC UA.
• Experience with Git, testing, code review, and Docker for deploying software next to hardware.
• Ability to interpret biological protocols and convert them into reliable automated workflows.
• Strong communication skills and ability to train laboratory staff.
• Ability to obtain and maintain NIH/HHS security clearance and meet federal contractor suitability requirements.
• A degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related science is common, but equivalent practical experience is acceptable.

Nice to have

• Experience with MADSci or similar laboratory orchestration frameworks such as PyLabRobot, Opentrons tooling, or ROS-based systems.
• Experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MoveIt, or similar robot simulators, and with simulation or digital-twin models of robotic systems.
• Experience in stem cell, iPSC, organoid, or tissue engineering laboratories.
• Experience with self-driving or autonomous laboratories, including closed-loop experiments driven by machine learning or optimization.
• Familiarity with ROS 2, robot kinematics, and computer vision for labware or sample detection.
• Experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and message-based architectures such as MQTT or Redis.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, metadata standards, and FAIR data principles.
• Experience with imaging instruments and plate-based assays.
• Ability to learn a new simulator quickly.

Culture & Benefits

• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 401(k) match of up to 5%.
• Educational benefits for career growth.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare, parking, dependent care, and transportation.
• Employee referral bonus.