Senior/Staff Automation Engineer

Hexagon Bio

Hexagon Bio

Software Engineering
Menlo Park, CA, USA
Posted 6+ months ago

About Hexagon Bio:

Hexagon Bio leverages a genomics-based platform and understanding of natural product evolution to develop next-generation medicines for human disease. Hexagon Bio's algorithms identify gene clusters that encode the machinery needed to produce specialized metabolites that can be harnessed against human disease targets. Our unique platform allows us to produce new chemical leads based on these findings. We use data science, genomics, synthetic biology, and automation to discover potent, evolutionarily refined small molecules and their cognate targets from fungal genomes, and apply medicinal chemistry when needed to optimize these molecules into truly transformative medicines.

Location: Menlo Park, CA

Job Description:

As a Senior/Staff Automation Engineer, you will be primarily responsible for supporting our fleet of Hamilton liquid handlers. The Automation Team works with every team at Hexagon to increase the throughput and reliability of their processes. These processes include basic molecular biology, solvent-based chemistry, and proprietary processes for environmental sample sequencing. You will interface with the scientists who run these processes, design and build robotic solutions for them, and validate those solutions to ensure they work efficiently. Almost every project will involve different scientific disciplines and instrumentation.

Responsibilities:

  • Independently design, write, and validate automated protocols on Hamilton STARs, as well as other lab instrumentation.
  • Maintain thorough documentation of all projects, including deviations, failures, and Pareto charts.
  • Provide strong support by rapidly responding to issues or questions in the lab during regular business hours.
  • Participate in regular code reviews with the rest of the Automation team.
  • Interface with various scientific teams at Hexagon to identify their needs and to develop use cases.
  • Stay up to date with the latest lab automation news and products to be able to help guide Hexagon appropriately.
  • Perform automation use and safety training of new employees, as well as help to communicate and monitor new policies in the lab.

Key Qualifications:

  • B.S. or higher in a life science and/or engineering discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience (or more for Staff level) performing assay automation on Hamilton STAR-line instrumentation.
  • A fully qualified candidate will have completed Hamilton VENUS Software Training.
  • Demonstrated comprehension of basic molecular biology principles.
  • A more compelling candidate will demonstrate expertise with the following devices:
    • BioTek family of dispensers (MultiFlo, 405, 406, etc)
    • Formulatrix Tempest and Mantis
    • LabCyte Echo (6xx series)
    • Integra ViaFlo (96/384)
    • HighResBio Cellario scheduling software
  • Programming experience is a plus, particularly in Python or C#, in addition to having experience manipulating JSON files.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment and to prioritize responsibilities.
  • Available to work full-time, on-site in Menlo Park, California.

What We Offer:

  • A flexible and dynamic work environment where you pave your own path, Hexagon cultivates employees' unique strengths at all levels and provides mobility across departments.
  • “All Hands Meetings” provide an opportunity to share company and team updates. These meetings are rooted in our value of transparency. They are designed to foster a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and open communication.
  • Competitive compensation and a robust benefits package: a comprehensive suite of medical, dental, and vision insurance plans through TriNet, which offers additional voluntary benefits (pet insurance, accident insurance, home & auto insurance, and more).
  • Equity and a 401(k) plan.
  • Rapid career advancement for driven performers.
  • Access to scientific conferences all over the country throughout the year.
  • A range of amenities, courtesy of the Menlo Park Labs business park, including shuttle, gym, rock-climbing wall, pool, sports courts, cafe, bike lockers, and free EV charging stations.
  • Opportunities to engage with the Hexagon community through team-building events like our monthly Hexagon Happy Hour and holiday parties.

Additional Information

The salary range for this full-time position is $150,000 to $190,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across California locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Hexagon Bio is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workplace. All applicants will be considered equally without regard to race, color, ethnicity, veteran status, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, membership in an organization or any other non-merit factors.

Note to External Recruiters: Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place does not create any implied obligation.