Robotic Automation Engineer I (West Coast)

Summary

HighRes is a company seeking a Robotic Automation Engineer I for its Automation Engineering team. The role owns field-based deployment, commissioning, integration, troubleshooting, testing, documentation, and customer training for robotic laboratory automation systems across the West Coast.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of commissioning standard systems, integrating robots, laboratory instruments, and CellarioScheduler into a platform the customer's lab runs its science on
• Modify and troubleshoot CellarioScheduler workflows on deployed systems, resolving integration issues between the scheduler, the robots, and third-party instruments, working from the end-to-end workflow defined by the Applications team
• Verify that hardware, software, and integration deliverables meet the agreed acceptance criteria
• Commission complex systems with guidance from senior engineers, where multiple robots, a larger device count, and more demanding instruments raise the difficulty of the integration
• Execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) independently for standard systems, and with senior support for complex systems
• Configure and troubleshoot automation hardware and integrated devices through firmware operations and device-level diagnostics
• Interpret, integrate, and debug C# and Python code within HighRes automation systems
• Configure relational databases supporting laboratory scheduling applications using SQL
• Configure and operate a range of robotic platforms, including SCARA and articulated robotic arms, adapting to diverse hardware configurations across customer deployments
• Contribute to multi-system deployments alongside senior engineers, building exposure to highly complex environments
• Create and maintain technical documentation for deployed systems, configurations, and resolved issues
• 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
• Communicate project status, technical topics, and roadblocks clearly to customers and internal stakeholders
• Serve as a resource for teammates by sharing knowledge of tools, platforms, and processes

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field) and 2+ years of relevant experience; or Associate's degree and 4+ years; or Master's degree and 1+ years
• Hands-on experience deploying, configuring, or supporting laboratory automation or industrial robotics systems
• Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software such as CellarioScheduler, Green Button Go (Biosero), Momentum (Thermo Fisher), Overlord (PAA), or equivalent
• Proficiency in code interpretation, with a strong foundation in software principles and object-oriented programming (C# or similar)
• Strong troubleshooting and configuration skills at both the hardware and software level, with a proven ability to identify, document, and resolve issues efficiently
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences
• Current driver's license and valid passport
• Reliable personal transportation for regional travel
• Hands-on integration experience with laboratory instrumentation from vendors such as Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Thermo Fisher, Agilent, Revvity, BMG Labtech, or Molecular Devices
• Hands-on experience with SCARA or articulated robotic arms from manufacturers such as Kuka, Denso, Universal Robots, or similar
• Experience with SQL and relational database configuration for scheduling applications
• Experience with Python scripting for automation or test tooling
• Working knowledge of networking concepts (TCP/IP, serial communication, protocols and networking layers) and components (switches, routers, ADAM modules, Moxa devices)
• Experience with firmware-level device configuration and troubleshooting
• Background in customer-facing technical delivery roles (field service, deployment engineering, applications support)
• Exposure to highly complex or multi-system automation environments
• Experience tracking work in Jira and Confluence
• Strong organizational and project management abilities

Qualifications

Must Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field) and 2+ years of relevant experience; or Associate's degree and 4+ years; or Master's degree and 1+ years
• Hands-on experience deploying, configuring, or supporting laboratory automation or industrial robotics systems
• Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software such as CellarioScheduler, Green Button Go (Biosero), Momentum (Thermo Fisher), Overlord (PAA), or equivalent
• Proficiency in code interpretation, with a strong foundation in software principles and object-oriented programming (C# or similar)
• Strong troubleshooting and configuration skills at both the hardware and software level, with a proven ability to identify, document, and resolve issues efficiently
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences
• Current driver's license and valid passport
• Reliable personal transportation for regional travel

Nice to Haves

• Hands-on integration experience with laboratory instrumentation from vendors such as Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Thermo Fisher, Agilent, Revvity, BMG Labtech, or Molecular Devices
• Hands-on experience with SCARA or articulated robotic arms from manufacturers such as Kuka, Denso, Universal Robots, or similar
• Experience with SQL and relational database configuration for scheduling applications
• Experience with Python scripting for automation or test tooling
• Working knowledge of networking concepts (TCP/IP, serial communication, protocols and networking layers) and components (switches, routers, ADAM modules, Moxa devices)
• Experience with firmware-level device configuration and troubleshooting
• Background in customer-facing technical delivery roles (field service, deployment engineering, applications support)
• Exposure to highly complex or multi-system automation environments
• Experience tracking work in Jira and Confluence
• Strong organizational and project management abilities

Benefits

• Remote work based on the West Coast