Senior Robotics – Lab Automation Engineer

Overview

Design, build and deploy robotic lab workflows that integrate liquid handlers, incubators, imaging systems, analytical instruments and sensors into robust, end-to-end automated workflows.

Develop and implement orchestration and scheduling solutions to coordinate multiple devices and robots, enabling repeatable, high-throughput and closed-loop laboratory experiments.

Program and configure robots and lab instruments (e.g., motion, I/O, device APIs, scripting) and ensure safe, reliable operation, calibration and error handling in a laboratory environment.

Work with biologists and process engineers to translate manual protocols into automated workflows, including sample handling, assay steps, data capture and quality controls.

Develop tooling and pipelines for data acquisition, logging and traceability across automated workflows, ensuring that instrument telemetry and experimental metadata are available for analysis and model development.

Collaborate closely with software, data science and biology teams to integrate robotic systems with Sartorius’ digital platforms, analytics tools and cloud services.

Contribute to concept development, prototyping and scaling of new lab automation concepts, from proof-of-concept in the lab to robust, repeatable solutions suitable for productization.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Robotics, Mechatronics, Automation, Control Engineering, Computer Science, Bioengineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience
• Hands-on experience in robotics or lab automation, such as programming robotic arms, configuring liquid handlers, and integrating laboratory instruments into automated systems
• Familiarity with automation/orchestration frameworks or robotics middleware (e.g. ROS, OPC UA, message queues, SCADA, custom schedulers or lab automation frameworks)
• Proficiency in Python (and/or another relevant language such as C++ or C#) for scripting, device integration and workflow automation; experience with using APIs and SDKs for instruments and robots
• Practical experience in industrial automation, autonomous systems, or lab automation; exposure to life science or bioprocess environments is a strong plus
• Experience with data handling and analysis in automated experiments (e.g. logging device data, handling experimental metadata, basic analysis or visualization)
• Understanding of distributed systems, APIs and cloud-based services is an advantage (e.g. connecting lab systems to cloud platforms or data lakes)
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to interdisciplinary teams and non-experts, and to work effectively with scientists, engineers and product stakeholders
• Experience with working independently to drive the implementation of complex workflows and a willingness to be proactive
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues within a large, matrix-based organization and across global teams
• Nice to have: Experience integrating AI or advanced analytics into laboratory workflows
• The successful candidate will have the right to work in the UK.

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