Automation Engineer Manager Jobs in Massachusetts

HighRes is seeking an experienced Robotic Automation Engineer II to join our Lab Automation engineering team at our headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts. This role is designed for a skilled automation professional who can independently lead complex system deployments, serve as a technical resource for peers, and drive customer success across our life sciences client base. Reporting to the Associate Director of Automation Engineering, you will take ownership of multifaceted projects from initial deployment through customer acceptance and help elevate the technical capabilities of the team around you.

This is an opportunity to take on greater ownership and broader impact within a growing engineering organization. You will work with cutting-edge robotic platforms in some of the most advanced life science and pharmaceutical environments in the world, contribute software expertise to complex integration challenges, and act as a trusted partner to customers whose science depends on the reliability of what you deploy. The ideal candidate brings field experience with laboratory automation systems, a strong technical foundation, and the professionalism to represent HighRes at the highest level on-site.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Delivery

– Independently commission complex laboratory automation systems, including robotic arms, scheduling software, and integrated third-party laboratory devices; support highly complex projects in collaboration with senior engineers

– Execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for complex systems with minimal external assistance

– Configure and troubleshoot automation hardware and integrated devices through firmware operations and device-level diagnostics

– Write and maintain automation software in C#, including scheduling scripts, device drivers, and integration hooks

– Configure and operate a range of robotic platforms, including SCARA robots and articulated robotic arms from manufacturers such as Kuka and Denso; adapt to diverse hardware configurations across customer deployments

– Participate in system design reviews and cross-functional technical meetings to identify risks and provide engineering feedback

– Create and maintain technical documentation for deployed systems, configurations, and resolved issues

Customer Success

– Deliver standard and complex system training to customer teams, covering both hardware operation and software application, with minimal guidance

– Proactively manage customer relationships by addressing concerns and ensuring satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle

– Manage stakeholder expectations and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to drive project success

– Translate complex technical topics into clear, accessible communication for diverse customer audiences, from bench scientists to IT and facilities teams

You bring demonstrated technical depth and a track record of independently owning complex deployments in laboratory or industrial automation environments. Your success will be built on the following qualifications:

Required

– Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field) and 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and 3+ years; or Associate's Degree and 6+ years

– 4+ years of hands-on experience deploying, configuring, or supporting laboratory automation or industrial robotics systems

– Experience working with lab automation platforms such as HighRes, Thermo Fisher, Hamilton, Beckman Coulter, Tecan, or similar

– Proficiency in C# or another object-oriented programming language

– Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical deployments with minimal supervision

– Experience configuring and troubleshooting robotic systems at the hardware and software level

– Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills across hardware, software, and network layers

– Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences

– Ability to travel up to and sometimes exceeding 40% annually at client locations domestically and internationally

– Current driver's license and valid passport

– Personal transportation for regional travel

– Comfortable working in laboratory and technical environments

– Capable of lifting up to 25 pounds and standing for extended periods

Preferred

– Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software (e.g., Cellario, Momentum, Green Button Go, or equivalent middleware platforms)

– Experience with scripting, driver development, or device integration for laboratory automation systems

– Hands-on experience with SCARA robots or articulated robotic arms from manufacturers such as Kuka, Denso, Universal Robots, or similar

– Background in customer-facing technical delivery roles (field service, deployment engineering, applications support)

– Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP) and serial communications

– Experience with firmware-level device configuration and troubleshooting

– Experience contributing to or leading cross-functional technical meetings

– Mentorship or peer development experience

– Strong organizational and project management abilities

WHAT SETS YOU APART

The ideal candidate combines technical depth with the ownership mindset of someone who sees a problem through to resolution. You have deployed complex automation systems in demanding environments, know when to engage senior resources, and actively look for ways to improve the processes and documentation that make your team better. You have developed the customer relationship skills to manage complex training engagements, navigate stakeholder expectations, and build trust on-site. You are beginning to mentor and guide peers, and you approach cross-functional collaboration as an opportunity to drive results rather than coordinate activity. Above all, you take quality seriously in your work, your communication, and the experience you create for every customer you serve.

WHY HIGHRES?

This role puts you at the center of complex, high-stakes automation deployments in some of the most advanced life science and pharmaceutical organizations in the world. You will work with cutting-edge robotic platforms, solve challenging technical problems, and build lasting relationships with clients who depend on what you deliver. If you are ready to do meaningful engineering work at the frontier of lab automation and grow alongside a team that takes excellence seriously, HighRes is the place to do it.