1

Lab Automation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Test & Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

This role is a vital link between the lab and the factory floor, with a focus on system enablement ... As a Test & Automation Engineer, You Will Core Automation Engineering * Own and extend the board ...

Automation Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$146K - $185K/yr

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to assist in the development and delivery of complex ... open to Lab employees and external candidates. Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Test & Automation Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

This role is a vital link between the lab and the factory floor, with a focus on system enablement ... As a Test & Automation Engineer, You Will Core Automation Engineering * Own and extend the board ...

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to assist in the development and delivery of complex ... open to Lab employees and external candidates. Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Automation Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$146K - $185K/yr

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to assist in the development and delivery of complex ... open to Lab employees and external candidates. Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Automation Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$165K - $260K/yr

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial ... About the role As an Automation Engineer, you will build automation pipelines to enable key ...

The Staff Tooling and Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, qualifying, and ... Collaborate with Assay R&D, Chemistry R&D, R&D Lab Operations, Systems Integration, Technical ...

Test Automation Engineer - PCBA

Costa Mesa, CA

$49.25 - $65.25/hr

This role as a Test Automation Engineer is responsible to design and deliver test systems for ... Understanding of lab safety protocols when working in all types of lab environment * Familiarity ...

... automation. * Demonstrated expertise operating and programming automated liquid handling systems ... Hands-on experience translating wet-lab workflows into automated solutions. * Experience supporting ...

Responsibilities • Develop automation SW to support RF lab validation and factory test • ... Engineering • 5+ years of work experience in the wireless industry • Understanding ...

Showing results 41-60

Lab Automation Engineer information

See California salary details

$16

$47

$71

How much do lab automation engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab automation engineer in California is $47.29, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.30 and $59.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lab automation engineer do?

A Lab Automation Engineer designs, develops, and maintains automated systems used in laboratory environments to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reproducibility of experiments. They work with robotics, software, and laboratory instruments to streamline workflows for research, diagnostics, or manufacturing processes. Their responsibilities often include programming automation scripts, integrating hardware and software, troubleshooting system issues, and collaborating with scientists to optimize lab operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab automation engineer?

To thrive as a Lab Automation Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering or life sciences, experience with laboratory workflows, and proficiency in programming and automation. Familiarity with tools such as liquid handling robots, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), scripting languages (like Python or VBA), and certifications like Six Sigma or CLIA can be highly advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication skills set top performers apart. These skills are crucial for designing efficient automated systems, maintaining equipment, and ensuring seamless lab operations in complex, collaborative environments.

What are some common challenges lab automation engineers face in their daily work?

Lab Automation Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting integration issues between new automation equipment and existing lab systems, as well as optimizing protocols for maximum efficiency. Adjusting to rapidly evolving technology and managing the customization of automated solutions for diverse experiments are also common aspects of the role. Collaboration with scientists, IT specialists, and quality control teams is essential to ensure that automation meets both technical and regulatory requirements. Successfully navigating these challenges requires adaptability, communication, and a solution-oriented mindset.

What job categories do people searching Lab Automation Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lab Automation Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lab Automation Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lab Automation Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lab Automation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,360 per year, or $47.3 per hour.

Test & Automation Engineer

Eridan

Sunnyvale, CA • On-site

$54 - $71.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

About Eridan
At Eridan we believe in the power of collaboration and communication to achieve our mission: connect the planet to empower a sustainable, shared future. That mission is possible with our patented transmitter which decreases the cost and power required to roll out 5G by 10x when deployed globally. This is all facilitated through our offices: our Sunnyvale headquarters has big windows (even in the lab!), is walking distance to downtown and the Caltrain, and fits the entire team in the cafeteria for our frequent company parties. Learn more about our mission here.
About this Job
Eridan is seeking a Test & Automation Engineer to lead the evolution of our board-level RF test systems. You will take full ownership of the automation codebase, spearhead comprehensive yield analysis, and develop the foundational infrastructure necessary to move our technology from engineering validation into high-volume production.
In this capacity, you will serve as the technical lead for our RF test environments, ensuring that all automation is designed for scalability and reliability. This role is a vital link between the lab and the factory floor, with a focus on system enablement and the creation of production-grade automated solutions rather than basic design or individual board debugging.
As a Test & Automation Engineer, You Will
Core Automation Engineering
  • Own and extend the board-level RF test automation codebase (C# / Test Executive), adding and modifying existing code to support new test cases and additional frequency bands
  • Automate test sequences from specifications provided by the systems and GaN teams, turning PowerPoint-level requirements into production-ready test script

Data & Quality Assurance
  • Collect, organize, and analyze test yield data in bulk, building Pareto analyses to identify top failure modes and translate them into prioritized action items for the systems team
  • Work with the quality function to track production defects, manage priorities, and present findings to cross-functional stakeholders

Operational & Scalability
  • Evaluate and right-size test equipment selections, identifying when a lower-cost instrument meets production resolution requirements in place of an engineering-grade alternative
  • Qualify new test stations, support remote debugging for contract manufacturers, and bring up new test sites as Eridan scales

Documentation & Standards
  • Author and maintain technical documentation for test procedures, specifications, and configuration management to support the transition to contract manufacturing
  • Commit clean, reviewed code to Git and meet the team's code quality standards for acceptance to the main branch

Qualities of a Successful Candidate
  • Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
  • 4+ years of experience in test engineering or a related role
  • Hands-on experience with RF test equipment in a lab environment (signal analyzers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, or similar instruments)
  • Programming experience in at least one language; ability to read, modify, and write code from scratch. C# experience is a strong plus given our current test executive stack
  • Familiarity with data analysis concepts and the ability to work through yield datasets to identify and communicate failure trends

Nice to Have
  • Experience in the telecommunications or wireless industry
  • Familiarity with 3GPP standards
  • Background in a manufacturing or yield environment, including Pareto analysis, defect tracking, or process quality functions
  • Experience with Git and software version control workflow

Perks of working at Eridan
  • Work on new technology that will make a significant impact on global infrastructure
  • Ability to learn, develop, and advance within a flexible environment
  • Collaborate with smart, passionate, and helpful co-workers
  • Celebrate progress company-wide
  • Pre-IPO equity
  • 401K with automatic match
  • Health, Vision and Dental insurance

Salary Range
Given our anticipated growth, we are open to hiring individuals with varying levels of experience to fill this role. Salary will be commensurate with job-related skills, experience and other relevant factors. The base salary range for the primary location of this role is between $120,000 and $140,000 plus stock options and benefits.
Eridan is an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.