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Laboratory Automation Engineer Jobs in California

Agilent

Software Quality Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$120K - $188K/yr

This team develops integrated softwarehardware systems, laboratory automation platforms, and ... Join our team as a Software Quality Engineer and play a vital role in developing reliable ...

Agilent

Software Quality Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $188K/yr

This team develops integrated software-hardware systems, laboratory automation platforms, and ... Join our team as a Software Quality Engineer and play a vital role in developing reliable ...

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Automation & Systems Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering ... Integrate applications with plant and laboratory data and real-time dashboards. * Provide technical ...

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All JobsLaboratory Automation Engineer JobsLaboratory Automation Engineer Jobs in California

Laboratory Automation Engineer information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$105.7K

$160.9K

How much do laboratory automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for laboratory automation engineer in California is $105,723.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,400.00 and $121,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a laboratory automation engineer do?

A Laboratory Automation Engineer designs, develops, and maintains automated systems used in laboratories to streamline repetitive tasks and improve accuracy. They work with robotics, software, and instrumentation to automate processes such as sample handling, data collection, and analysis. Their role often involves troubleshooting equipment, optimizing workflows, and collaborating with scientists to understand laboratory needs. By automating routine procedures, they help increase throughput and ensure consistent results, allowing researchers to focus on more complex tasks.

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

To thrive as a Laboratory Automation Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering, biology or chemistry, with expertise in automation technologies and laboratory processes, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), programming languages like Python or C#, and automation platforms such as Tecan or Hamilton is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication abilities help drive innovation and collaboration. These competencies are crucial to ensure efficient, reliable, and scalable laboratory operations that support scientific discovery and regulatory compliance.

How does a laboratory automation engineer typically collaborate with scientists and IT specialists?

Laboratory Automation Engineers regularly work alongside scientists to understand experimental workflows and identify opportunities for automation. They also collaborate with IT specialists to ensure that lab instruments and software integrate seamlessly with data management systems. Effective communication is key, as the engineer must translate scientific requirements into technical solutions while ensuring data integrity and system reliability. This cross-functional teamwork helps optimize lab efficiency and supports scientific discovery.

What is the difference between Laboratory Automation Engineer vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory Automation EngineerLaboratory Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, automation, or related fieldAssociate's degree or certification in laboratory procedures
Work EnvironmentDesign, develop, and maintain automation systems in labsPerform routine lab tests and sample processing
Industry UsageUsed in biotech, pharmaceutical, and research labs for automationCommon in clinical, medical, and research labs for sample handling

The main difference is that Laboratory Automation Engineers focus on designing and maintaining automation systems, requiring engineering skills and certifications. Laboratory Technicians perform routine lab tasks and sample processing, with a focus on laboratory procedures. Both roles are essential in lab operations but differ in technical scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs in California?

For Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

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

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

Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Automation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,723 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Automation Engineer I/II (Contract)

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc.

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

DELFI Diagnostics, Inc. (DELFI Diagnostics) is developing next-generation, blood-based tests that are reliable, accessible and deliver a new way to help detect cancer. Employing advanced machine-learning methods to whole-genome sequencing data, the DELFI ("DNA EvaLuation of Fragments for early Interception") platform is built to address the highest-burden health challenges. DELFI Diagnostics prioritizes solutions that have the potential to save lives on a global scale, including for historically underserved populations. DELFI Diagnostics' platform relies on fragmentomics - the discovery that cancer cells are more chaotic than normal cells and, when they die, leave behind tell-tale patterns and characteristics of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragments. FirstLook Lung, for individuals eligible for lung cancer screening, is DELFI Diagnostics' first laboratory-developed screening test and can be part of routine blood work. FirstLook Lung uses millions of data points to reliably identify individuals who may have cancer detected through low-dose CT, including early stage disease with a negative predictive value of 99.8 percent. This test has not been cleared or approved by the FDA.

In our passionate pursuit to radically improve health outcomes, we serve humanity when we:

  • Lead with Science, Anchor in Pragmatism: We pioneer life-changing science by ensuring quality, transparency, and rigor at all times. We explore thoughtfully, experiment smartly, and deliver impact with conviction.

  • Build With & For All: We embrace diverse backgrounds to innovate and achieve together. We are not just building a product - we aim to disrupt the path of cancer for all - no matter geography or socioeconomic class 

  • Put We over I: We are a home for high-performing people. Through teamwork, we build collective intelligence. Each of us wins when those we serve and those who serve with us--win. We show up with empathy, humility, and integrity at every step of the journey.

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for supporting high complexity process automation engineering for cancer detection via next generation sequencing. You will be troubleshooting, testing, and verifying automated scripts on liquid handlers. You will work cross-functionally with clinical laboratory scientists, tech transfer scientists, data scientists, software engineers, systems engineers, and quality. This is a critical role that will help bring Delfi's instrumentation through the development, verification, and validation process and launch them into clinical use. 

 
What you'll do

  •  Support, maintain, test, and troubleshoot liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman, or equivalent) used in clinical multi-omics workflows

  •  Perform routine and corrective maintenance on laboratory instruments including liquid handlers, centrifuges, plate sealer, plate peelers, proteomics platforms, thermal cyclers, cold storage units, and related equipment

  • Monitor and maintain ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, refrigerators, to ensure sample integrity and compliance

  •  Coordinate instrument qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and assist with vendor service scheduling

  • Rapidly diagnose and resolve instrument failures to minimize impact on clinical workflow timelines

  • Create, execute, and maintain SOPs, maintenance logs, and equipment records in accordance with CAP, CLIA, and NYS DOH laboratory regulations

  • Accurately document all troubleshooting activities, corrective actions, and preventive maintenance in the laboratory's quality management system (QMS)

  • Support gap assessments and readiness activities as the laboratory progresses toward FDA regulation (21 CFR Part 820 / QSR)

  • Participate in inspections and internal audits; respond to equipment-related observations and corrective action requests

  • Maintain equipment inventory, calibration schedules, and service records in compliance with regulatory requirements

  •  Collaborate cross-functionally with scientists and lab operations to identify opportunities for process improvement and automation

  • Support onboarding and training of laboratory staff on instrument operation and maintenance best practices

  • Assist with reagent and consumable management for instrumentation as needed

  • Contribute to other laboratory needs as assigned, including assay support, facility tasks, and special projects

  • Document troubleshooting efforts with root cause analysis and corrective actions under design control and quality management systems, policies and procedures.

  • Perform basic lab work in support of R&D activities

  • Own the Equipment Ticketing System, pushing instrument tickets as they progress through support and communicating to ticket owners resolutions and updates.

  • Update instrument status and maintenance completion in LIMS Sapio.

What you'll bring

Required

  • B.S. or higher in engineering, biology, or similar field providing a strong foundation in lab automation, systems development, and science

  • High level of analytical ability to solve complex technical problems

  • Skilled in technical and non-technical communication

  • Able to master new concepts and skills quickly, with strong attention to detail

  • Comfortable working in both individual and cross-functional team settings

Level I

  • Knowledge of liquid processing equipment and procedures in high-throughput settings

  • Knowledge in the development of assay automation on liquid handlers (i.e. Hamilton, Agilent, Beckman, Tecan)

Level II

  • 3+ years of experience in the development of assay automation on liquid handlers

  • Proven track record in automating next generation sequencing techniques and procedures in high-throughput settings

  • Skilled with standard molecular biology and wet lab techniques such as nucleic acid isolation, purification, and quantification

  • Experience in automation-LIMS integration, designing and executing instrument testing/validation plan

Preferred

  • Knowledge in automating next generation sequencing techniques

  • Experience with Computer Programming and programming concepts

  • Experience working in a regulated environment (e.g., CLIA, CAP, NYS, FDA, GXP, etc.) 

  • Experience in reagent manufacturing, ideally in a regulated environment (cGMP) 

  • Experience programming automated liquid handlers for NGS assay, Hamilton 

$53 - $73 an hour

An equal opportunity employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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