Automation Engineer III (Biotech)

TL;DR

Automation Engineer III (Biotech): Sustaining and advancing a wet lab platform for protein therapeutics discovery with an accent on automated workflows, custom hardware integration, and liquid handling systems. Focus on building scalable support, troubleshooting complex instrumentation, and empowering scientists through robust method development and documentation.

Location: Onsite in Somerville, MA

Salary: $100,000–$140,000 USD

Company

hirify.global is a clinical-stage generative biology company pioneering the AI revolution in drug design and development by integrating machine learning with large-scale experimentation.

What you will do

• Drive reliability, troubleshooting, and method development for DNA/protein production and assay workflows on integrated workcells.
• Build, adapt, and integrate custom instrument capabilities, including in-house hardware and fluidic systems, into scientist-facing workflows.
• Own critical automation and instrumentation problems end-to-end, from method design through live troubleshooting and vendor coordination.
• Partner with scientists to provide high-quality in-lab support and identify new engineering-enabled capabilities to reduce production timelines.
• Develop documentation and training materials to increase scientist independence and effective use of automation tools.

Requirements

• BS with 5+ years, MS with 3+ years, or PhD in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, or life sciences.
• Strong experience with liquid handlers and integrated workcells (e.g., Biomek, Tecan, Hamilton, Opentrons).
• Proven ability to own workflows end-to-end, from method design through execution and debugging.
• Experience building or integrating custom instrumentation, fluidic systems, or microfluidic devices.
• Exceptional communication skills to facilitate interactions across technical and scientific disciplines.
• Experience developing or deploying agentic applications or closed-loop experimental systems.

Nice to have

• Experience supporting molecular biology workflows like protein purification, cell culture, or binding assays at scale.
• Proficiency with advanced scheduling and orchestration systems like HighRes or Retisoft.
• Experience with platform transfer, vendor coordination, and multi-site method expansion.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative, fast-paced, and dynamic research environment.
• Opportunity to work at the intersection of biology, engineering, and AI.
• Competitive benefits package including annual bonus and equity compensation.
• Commitment to equal employment opportunity and diverse perspectives.