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Second Shift Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Senior plc

Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift

Sharon, MA · On-site

$69K - $83K/yr

... engineered metal bellows for industries that demand the best: aerospace, defense, energy, and ... Second shift leadership operates with minimal day-to-day oversight, so we are looking for someone ...

Senior plc

Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift

Sharon, MA

$69K - $83K/yr

... engineered metal bellows for industries that demand the best: aerospace, defense, energy, and ... Second shift leadership operates with minimal day-to-day oversight, so we are looking for someone ...

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Second Shift Engineer information

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$39

$73

How much do second shift engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for second shift engineer in Boston, MA is $39.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.16 and $48.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by a second shift engineer, and how can I prepare for them?

Second Shift Engineers often encounter challenges such as responding to unexpected equipment breakdowns with limited onsite resources, adapting quickly to new problems, and sometimes working with a smaller team compared to day shifts. It's common to have more autonomy, which requires strong decision-making skills and the ability to prioritize tasks under pressure. To prepare for these challenges, it's helpful to develop expertise with troubleshooting tools, familiarize yourself with facility layouts and key equipment, and build effective communication with both on-site colleagues and day-shift teams for smooth handovers. This role also offers a valuable opportunity to demonstrate leadership and technical skills, which can be beneficial for future advancement into supervisory or specialist positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a second shift engineer?

To thrive as a Second Shift Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, troubleshooting, and equipment maintenance, typically supported by a relevant degree or technical certification. Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), industrial automation tools, and safety regulations is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently during off-hours are valuable soft skills. These qualities are vital for ensuring smooth plant operations, minimizing downtime, and maintaining high performance during non-standard business hours.

What is a second shift engineer?

A Second Shift Engineer is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting systems, equipment, and infrastructure during the second shift, typically in the afternoon to late evening. They ensure smooth operations, perform preventive maintenance, and address technical issues that arise. This role is common in manufacturing, facilities management, and technology sectors where round-the-clock operations are necessary.

What are the most commonly searched types of Second Shift Engineer jobs in Boston, MA? The most popular types of Second Shift Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
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What job categories do people searching Second Shift Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Second Shift Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Second Shift Engineer jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Second Shift Engineer job openings:
Second Shift Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Second Shift Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 11% Nights. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,097 per year, or $40 per hour.

Contractor, Support Engineer I, Automation (2nd shift)

Lila Sciences

Cambridge, MA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Your Impact at LILA

Lila Sciences is hiring a Support Engineer I, Automation to keep second-shift operations humming on the AI Science Factory (AISF), the automated platform driving our work in drug discovery, bioengineering, and advanced materials. You will work 2-10 PM alongside the Integration Engineering and Research Operations teams, picking up where the day shift leaves off and keeping experiments moving into the evening.

The work is hands-on and varied. You triage issues on the workcells as they come up, recover stalled runs, knock out routine maintenance, and partner with on-shift Research Ops scientists to keep their work on track. At the end of the night, you hand the system back to the day team with a clear status report so tomorrow's science can start without surprises.

You will work closely with the engineers who designed the AISF - its schedulers, liquid handlers, robotics, and the software tying them together. This is a contract position, on site in Cambridge, MA.

What You'll Be Building

  • Monitor and maintain AISF workcells during second shift, triaging instrument faults, software errors, and run failures as they surface.
  • Coordinate with on-shift Research Operations scientists to prioritize recovery efforts and keep active experiments moving when multiple issues compete for attention.
  • Troubleshoot electro-mechanical and software systems, using judgment about when to resolve in-shift versus stabilizing and handing off to day-shift engineers for fixes that need vendor support, parts, or extended downtime.
  • Surface recurring failure patterns to the engineering team so root causes get addressed, not just symptoms.
  • Run routine maintenance, setup, and teardown to keep workcells reliable across shifts.
  • Document each shift's events, decisions, and outstanding issues so the day team inherits a clear picture and can plan accordingly.

What You'll Need to Succeed

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • 1+ years of hands-on experience with lab automation, lab instrumentation, or production operations in a life sciences or physical sciences environment.
  • Ability to troubleshoot electro-mechanical equipment and software systems independently - on second shift, you're the automation engineer on site.
  • Strong written communication, particularly for shift handoff documentation the day team can act on without follow-up questions.
  • Willingness and availability to work a 2-10 PM weekday schedule on site in Cambridge, MA.

Bonus Points For

  • Experience with liquid handlers, plate-based workflows, or high-throughput screening instrumentation.
  • Familiarity with lab scheduling or workflow orchestration software (Cellario or similar).
  • Scripting or light programming ability (Python, C#, or similar) for log analysis or quick diagnostic work.
  • Exposure to robotic integration platforms or multi-instrument workcell environments.
  • Background in a 24/7 or multi-shift operations environment where structured handoffs were part of the workflow.

Apply