Senior Automation Engineer (Laboratory Automation & Biobanking)

Location: On-site at Harwell, United Kingdom; occasional flexibility in working hours.

Company

hirify.global develops mRNA-based medicines and technology platforms that support the creation and delivery of new treatments.

What you will do

• Lead laboratory automation capabilities across clinical biomarker testing and sample management operations.
• Design, implement, and optimize high-throughput automated workflows using liquid-handling platforms, including Hamilton technologies and VENUS software.
• Deploy integrated automation and scheduling solutions that connect laboratory processes, instruments, LIMS platforms, and enterprise applications.
• Build and maintain data structures, pipelines, workflow architectures, REST API integrations, middleware, and connected laboratory systems.
• Provide technical leadership for automated biobanking platforms such as Hamilton BiOS, including reliability, maintenance, validation, and lifecycle management.
• Troubleshoot complex automation issues, lead deviation investigations and corrective actions, maintain compliant documentation, and mentor engineers and laboratory personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, Robotics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in laboratory automation or robotics, including liquid-handling systems and automation platforms.
• Experience integrating systems through REST or similar APIs, databases, or middleware technologies.
• Ability to work on-site at Harwell, UK, in a laboratory environment.
• Ability to lift equipment or materials with assistance, approximately 25 kg.
• Occasional flexibility in working hours and strong troubleshooting and communication skills.

Nice to have

• Programming experience in Python, Java, C++, or similar languages.
• Experience with data structures, database design, LIMS integration, Hamilton VENUS or BiOS, and automation scheduling software.
• Exposure to AI/ML laboratory workflows, REST/SOAP web services, distributed systems, regulated environments, Git, and Agile methodologies.

Culture & Benefits

• In-person culture supported by a 70/30 work model with emphasis on office collaboration and mentorship.
• Healthcare and voluntary benefit programs, plus fitness, mindfulness, and mental health resources.
• Family-building support covering fertility, adoption, and surrogacy.
• Paid vacation, bank holidays, volunteer days, sabbatical, global recharge days, and discretionary year-end shutdown.
• Savings and investment programs with additional location-specific benefits.