Staff Scientist Lab Automation

Elegen is blazing a path towards a biology-based economy with a highly innovative approach to DNA synthesis that delivers an industry leading length of 7kb in 7 business days with a 99.999% per base accuracy. Our multidisciplinary team of best-in-class biologists, chemists, hardware, and software engineers apply cutting‑edge technologies and methods to solve critical bottlenecks in synthetic biology workflows to help our customers in pharma, biotech, agbio, and biomanufacturing streamline their work and realize the full potential of programmable biology.

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company at an early stage and impact the development of its products, markets, processes, people, and culture.

We are seeking a highly motivated Staff Scientist to support our current automation platforms and drive process changes that will enable scaling out our DNA manufacturing process.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a lab automation scientist looking to take the next step in their career at a uniquely innovative, rapidly moving, high impact start‑up. In addition to supporting our current automation platforms and bringing the next generation of lab manufacturing online, you will help us establish a strong culture of mutual respect, integrity, and collaboration while working alongside some of Silicon Valley’s best scientists and engineers.

• Work alongside R&D scientists to bring new product improvements from bench to automated production.
• Program and script integrated work cells, stand‑alone liquid handlers, and other common lab automation equipment to execute synthetic biology workflows. Lead build and validation activities for new systems.
• Work alongside PD scientists to identify and implement production process improvements.
• Work alongside the Sustaining Engineering team to ensure frictionless transfer of processes from R&D into Production. Own work cell and process documentation for hand‑off to sustaining team.
• Troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and experimental design using automation systems to identify issues and optimize synthetic biology workflows.
• Contribute to the design, implementation, and validation of integrated robotic work cells.
• Be a leader in continuous improvement and delivery of automation platforms.
• Lead automation strategy development for system scale‑out and deployment.
• Develop SOPs and work instruction documentation for lab automation systems.
• Train sustaining team in the operation of workflows on integrated work cells and stand‑alone automation.
• Mentor junior engineers and participate in hiring activities.

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or closely aligned engineering field.
• 8+ years of experience programming and operating automated work cell platforms in an assay development, HTS, diagnostics, or similar field as a lab automation scientist or engineer.
• Demonstrated ability to design and conduct experiments using automation technologies. Analyze, report, and present data to cross‑functional teams.
• Deep understanding of troubleshooting and process improvement strategies.
• Expertise in at least one high level programming language (C/C#/Python preferred).
• Proficient with Git for version control and collaborative development.
• Advanced knowledge of laboratory automation schedulers and integration strategies.
• Hands‑on experience designing, programming, executing, and troubleshooting workflows using Labcyte Echo, Agilent Bravo, Hamilton, and Tecan liquid handlers.
• Broad knowledge of common lab automation instruments such as plate sealers, readers, dispensers, etc.
• Proven track record implementing NGS and synthetic biology workflows in a manufacturing or research environment using automation technologies and software.
• Proven ability to work as a high functioning individual contributor in a matrix organization.
• A track record of working closely with PD/PE teams to deliver continuous improvement projects in automated workflows.

• A strong desire to take ownership and accountability for process improvement and continuous improvement of manufacturing workflows.
• Previous startup experience is a plus but not…