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Laboratory Automation Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Senior Lab Automation Engineer is an experienced engineer with expertise in the development and implementation of complex laboratory automation and integrated systems. They can work independently ...

Senior Lab Automation Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$106K - $133K/yr

The Senior Lab Automation Engineer is an experienced engineer with expertise in the development and implementation of complex laboratory automation and integrated systems. They can work independently ...

PR · On-site

$30 - $45/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE We are seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to ensure the continuous operation ... laboratory computerized systems. * User Training: Provide user training and continuous support to ...

Senior Automation Engineer

Hayward, CA · On-site

$119K - $156K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Sr. Automation Engineer ( Laboratory) with expertise in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will play a critical ...

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Laboratory Automation Engineer information

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$37K

$107.1K

$163K

How much do laboratory automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for laboratory automation engineer in the United States is $107,126.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,500.00 and $123,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Laboratory Automation Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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.

More about Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Laboratory Automation Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Laboratory Automation Engineer jobs include:
Sr. Principal or Engineering Advisor - Agentic Lab Automation Integration

Sr. Principal or Engineering Advisor - Agentic Lab Automation Integration

Eli Lilly and Company

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Eli Lilly and Company rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 62 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 71 rated pharmaceutical


Job description

Job Summary:
Eli Lilly and Company is a global healthcare leader dedicated to improving lives through innovative medicines. The role involves engineering integrations between Agentic AI and laboratory systems to enhance molecule discovery, focusing on lab automation and data connectivity.
Responsibilities:
• Build multi-agent systems with robust orchestration, state management, error recovery, and tool integration
• Prototype and iterate rapidly on agent planning strategies, memory systems, and human-in-the-loop patterns
• Design agent architectures that interface with lab automation platforms (Hamilton, Tecan, Opentrons) for closed-loop experimental execution
• Partner with automation engineers and scientists to transition prototypes into reliable lab operations
• Deploy and maintain containerized services using Docker and Kubernetes with GitOps and CI/CD practices
• Integrate cloud-based orchestration frameworks such as Argo on Kubernetes with laboratory control systems
• Represent Frontier AI in the broader AI@Lilly and external AI research community: publish, give talks, review papers, and scout emerging trends.
• Evaluate external vendors, open-source projects, and academic collaborations for strategic fit.
Qualifications:
Required:
• PhD (or MS + 2 yrs / BS + 5 yrs equivalent experience) in Chemical / Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related discipline with demonstrated wet-lab automation experience.
• Demonstrated experience with laboratory automation systems and LIMS engineering
• Direct experience integrating software control and/or AI systems with lab automation platforms (liquid handlers, analytical instruments, robotic workflows)
• Strong experience with containerization (Docker) and Kubernetes-based orchestration in production environments
• Experience building scalable and production-level python applications using tools like Redis, FastAPI, flask/streamlit, pytest, etc. (GitHub portfolio a plus)
Preferred:
• Experience with LLM post-training, fine-tuning, or RLHF
• Direct experience integrating AI or algorithmic decision systems with laboratory automation
• Proven ability to build and maintain the translation layer between high-level planning logic and low-level instrument control
• Demonstrable research experience, evidenced by contributions to projects, and ideally through publications in relevant ML/NLP venues (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, CVPR)
Company:
We're a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. Founded in 1876, the company is headquartered in Indianapolis, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Eli Lilly and Company employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About Eli Lilly

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eli Lilly, based in Indianapolis, IN, US, is one of the pioneers in the pharmaceutical industry with a rich history dating back to 1876. This global pharmaceutical company focuses on discovering, developing, manufacturing and selling pharmaceutical products in approximately 120 countries. The company's product categories include endocrinology, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience, and immunology. Having invested over $9 billion in research and development in the past decade, Eli Lilly is also committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs. As a recipient of several awards and recognitions, Eli Lilly is known for its focus on life-saving research and drug development. Their mission is to make medicines that help people live longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Industry

Pharmaceutical product wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Indianapolis, IN, US

Year founded

1876