Robotic Automation Engineer II (NJ/PA)

Summary

HighRes is seeking a Robotic Automation Engineer II to join its Automation Engineering team supporting life sciences customers. The role independently commissions complex laboratory automation systems, integrates robots and laboratory instruments, troubleshoots software and hardware, supports customer acceptance and training, and mentors junior engineers across a regional customer territory.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of commissioning complex systems, integrating robots, laboratory instruments, and CellarioScheduler into a platform the customer's lab runs its science on, at a scale that brings more robots, higher device counts, custom software, and more demanding application and test work
• Modify and troubleshoot CellarioScheduler workflows across complex deployments, and extend system behaviour in C# where the integration requires it
• Partner with the Applications team on end-to-end workflow design, contributing the deployment and integration perspective
• Own the acceptance path, verifying that hardware, software, and integration deliverables meet the agreed criteria before handover
• Support multi-system deployments in which several systems are orchestrated into a single continuous workflow with sample state tracked across system boundaries
• Execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for complex systems with minimal external assistance
• Configure and troubleshoot automation hardware and integrated devices through firmware operations and device-level diagnostics
• Write and maintain automation software in C#, including CellarioScheduler scripts, device drivers, and integration hooks
• Configure relational databases supporting laboratory scheduling applications using SQL
• Configure and operate a range of robotic platforms, including SCARA and articulated robotic arms from manufacturers such as Kuka and Denso
• Participate in system design reviews and cross-functional technical meetings to identify risks and provide engineering feedback
• 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
• Manage stakeholder expectations and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to drive project success
• Translate complex technical topics into clear, accessible communication for diverse customer audiences, from bench scientists to IT and facilities teams
• Mentor junior engineers on commissioning practice, troubleshooting methodology, and customer engagement

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (Computer Science, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field) and 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and 3+ years; or Associate's degree and 6+ years
• Hands-on experience deploying, configuring, or supporting laboratory automation or industrial robotics systems in a customer-facing setting
• Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software such as CellarioScheduler, Green Button Go (Biosero), Momentum (Thermo Fisher), Overlord (PAA), or equivalent
• Proficiency in C# or another object-oriented programming language
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical deployments with minimal supervision
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting robotic systems at both the hardware and software level
• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills across hardware, software, and network layers
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences
• Experience in highly complex or multi-system automation environments, including multi-system integration, autonomous mobile robots, stacked software layers, or order-level sample tracking
• Experience with scripting, driver development, or device integration for laboratory automation systems
• 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
• Experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data workflows
• Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP) and serial communications
• Experience with firmware-level device configuration and troubleshooting
• Experience contributing to or leading cross-functional technical meetings
• Mentorship or peer development experience
• 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 4+ years of relevant experience; or Master's degree and 3+ years; or Associate's degree and 6+ years
• Hands-on experience deploying, configuring, or supporting laboratory automation or industrial robotics systems in a customer-facing setting
• Experience with laboratory automation scheduling software such as CellarioScheduler, Green Button Go (Biosero), Momentum (Thermo Fisher), Overlord (PAA), or equivalent
• Proficiency in C# or another object-oriented programming language
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex technical deployments with minimal supervision
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting robotic systems at both the hardware and software level
• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills across hardware, software, and network layers
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills across diverse audiences

Nice to Haves

• Experience in highly complex or multi-system automation environments, including multi-system integration, autonomous mobile robots, stacked software layers, or order-level sample tracking
• Experience with scripting, driver development, or device integration for laboratory automation systems
• 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
• Experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data workflows
• Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP) and serial communications
• Experience with firmware-level device configuration and troubleshooting
• Experience contributing to or leading cross-functional technical meetings
• Mentorship or peer development experience
• Strong organizational and project management abilities

Benefits

• Fully remote work based in New Jersey or Pennsylvania