Automation Engineer at PerkinElmer in Merck (Boston) - Customer Site MA

Job description

• We are looking for a highly motivated candidate for the role of Automation Engineer. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing scientific services and working with laboratory instruments in scientific laboratories. Works on-site at clients' locations for a wide variety of low- to high-end laboratory equipment. Provides a level of support, responsiveness, and knowledge to the customized specifications of the clients' users. Runs key experiments to keep labs moving forward, while typically using the clients' lab processes and space to ensure seamless delivery of desired quality and timelines for research projects. May manage scientific services engagements at clients' sites. Ability to handle our sample handling procedures and an ability to run screening (HTRF, Alpha, Cellular, etc.) assays is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Handle daily sample handling requests including weekly and Adhoc.
• 'First-responder' troubleshooting, error recovery and simple programming of the automated sample management platform.
• Agilent Bravo, Beckman Echo, and Hamilton Liquid Handler 'first-responder' troubleshooting, error recovery and programming.
• Development and implementation of a proactive maintenance regime for sample management automated platforms.
• Oversight & participation in equipment support activities of the sample management automated platforms.
• Development of support solutions built around the requirements of Sample Management team at customer site to enhance service delivery.
• Establishment & maintenance of strong relationships with the OEM Service Organizations, in particular Hamilton, Agilent, and Beckman
• Interact with other engineers to leverage platform / systems knowledge to minimize instrument downtime.
• Train equipment users on key concepts associated with the platforms within Medicine Design to support best-practice and mitigate avoidable run failures, ensuring optimal routine operation.
• Maintain awareness of new developments in the field of laboratory automation.

Requirements

• Demonstrates appropriate use of relevant equipment: documented training, demonstrated hands on ability.
• Understands current regulatory requirements for own discipline (i.e. Documentation, Data Recording)
• Demonstrates understanding of impact of tasks being performed by scientists and their work.
• Patience is very important when training new people on lab technology
• B.Sc. in an Engineering or Life Sciences related subject.
• 2 years’ experience in laboratory automation and lab instrumentation support.
• M.Sc. in a Life Sciences or Engineering related subject.
• 2 years’ experience in applications support or service development.
• Experience with Beckman Echos is preferred.
• Pharmaceutical / regulated working background.
• Previous experience of working in multidisciplinary customer facing teams.
• Basic understanding of automating scientific processes
• Experience of developing and optimizing complex protocols on liquid handling automation.
• Experience of servicing scientific equipment.
• Understanding of device networking and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of Biochemical and cellular or assay techniques.
• Experience of scripting and other advanced programming languages a plus
• Experience of installing and servicing large integrated systems.
• Experience writing scripts in Hamilton (or similar) software.

Skills

Required

• Agilent Bravo
• Beckman Echo
• Hamilton Liquid Handler
• scripting
• advanced programming languages
• device networking
• communications protocols

Benefits

• The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $55,000 to $88,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.