Senior Lab Automation Engineer
In-Office, San Diego, CA
- Job ID
- R-548622
- Category
- Engineering
- Location
- San Diego, California
Build an engineering career where innovation, ownership and impact move healthcare forward
At BD, Engineering and R&D professionals design, develop and improve the technologies that shape how healthcare is delivered worldwide. You'll apply scientific thinking, technical expertise and creative problem-solving to turn complex challenges into solutions that matter.
Whether you specialize in mechanical, electrical, process, systems, software or research engineering, BD offers the scale, resources and freedom to innovate – with clear expectations, accountability for outcomes and opportunities to grow your career alongside industry-leading technology.
And as one of the world's largest medical technology companies, you'll shape solutions that reach across global healthcare systems and improve lives at scale.
We are the people who give possibilities purpose
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities:(Primary Duties, Roles, and/or Authorities)
Manage automation workcells comprehensively, including robot teaching, coordinating field service engineers for calibrations/preventive maintenance, and overseeing all equipment components through regular cleaning, lubrication, and performance checks.
Collaborate with scientists to understand laboratory protocols and translate them into automated workflows, while applying automation expertise to improve processes, troubleshoot procedures, and lead programming of new methods to expand throughput.
Identify operational bottlenecks, evaluate new technologies, and work cross-functionally to scale in vitro assays by multiple orders of magnitude, including vendor coordination for hardware integration and collaboration with software developers.
Apply automation experience to the process improvement and troubleshooting oflaboratory procedures and workflows
Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation including training guides and verification reports, while providing ad hoc instrument troubleshooting, error recovery, and end-user training through detailed work instructions.
Manage equipment scheduling calendars, track critical metrics (uptime, downtime, usage), and provide regular performance reports to leadership to ensure optimal laboratory automation operations.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or Computer Science (preferably Biomedical Engineering, Robotics, Biology, Chemistry), or PhD with 2+ years of relevant Lab Automation experience. Non-PhD candidates require minimum 6 years of relevant experience.
Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience in a lab setting, with demonstrated ability to lead without authority, coordinate small teams to achieve program goals, and work cross-functionally with strong communication skills.
Proven experience implementing and maintaining automation solutions, troubleshooting liquid handling equipment and laboratory automation systems, and ability to generate, evaluate, and understand scientific data from robotic platforms.
Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of effectively prioritizing tasks and multitasking to achieve goals while maintaining focus on customer deliverables.
Self-motivated with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, capable of effectively prioritizing tasks and multitasking to achieve goals while maintaining focus on customer deliverables.
Preferred Requirements:
Previous experience programming Hamilton Robotics instrumentation (Venus software) is preferable.
3D printing experience preferred.
Ability to program in languages such as R or Python preferred.
Experience with integrated robotic system schedulers (e.g. Cellario, Biosero).
Knowledge of basic scientific principles in biology and chemistry and/or experience working closely with scientists to automate biological or chemical processes.
Work Environment:(if applicable)
Lab and Office Space
At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.
For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In some locations, testing for COVID-19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law.
Why Join Us?
To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.
We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.
To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.
Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Required Skills
Optional Skills
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Primary Work Location
USA CA - San Diego (BDB)Additional Locations
Work Shift
At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance-based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You."
Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. We regularly review these ranges and factors, such as location, contribute to the range displayed.
Our pay is based on the role and the necessary skills and education to perform it successfully. The salary or hourly rate offered is determined by the role's specific requirements, including any applicable step rate pay system at the work location. Salary or hourly pay ranges are influenced by labor laws and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) requirements applicable to the work location which may also affect the workplace arrangement of the role.
Salary Range Information
$105,500.00 - $168,800.00 USD AnnualSuccess Profile
What sets successful Engineering and R&D professionals apart? You're likely to thrive if you are:
- Analytical
- Collaborative
- Curious
- Detail-oriented
- Inventive
- Problem-solver
Ready for your next challenge?
This is an environment for engineers who want to think boldly and execute with precision. You'll have the opportunity to influence design decisions, contribute across the full product lifecycle and see how your work moves from concept to real-world impact – backed by the scale of a global MedTech leader.
Hear from one of our BD Innovators about how BD uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning to power decisions that improve patient outcomes and expand access to care. This is where your work drives real-time impact across the globe.
Hear from Our Associates
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"BD is a big, global company so don't be afraid to connect with and reach out to others. There is so much to learn here, and the company does an amazing job of helping people develop and grow. I'd also offer to become like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge as you can and put your Career Blueprint to work for you. I really love my job and am so grateful to work at BD."
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"I think we have something like more than 30 different countries represented by those working within the Research Centre Ireland, which is impressive and one of my favourite things about BD. I work with electrical, mechanical engineers, scientists and so many others – it's wonderful to see and hear so many different perspectives during the day."
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"I continue to be amazed at how we keep innovating in the Med Tech space. We constantly evaluate how to bring even more solutions to healthcare professionals, how to increase the efficiency of our technologies, all while keeping the patient impact in mind. Not only have I found meaningful work at BD, but a place where I feel I can thrive."
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"During my interview, I learned how much of an impact our infusion solutions have across the world and I was impressed because whether it's analgesics, cancer treatments, anesthesia or other treatments, the likelihood of someone within your own family using our product is high. Contributing to the creation of products that have the ability to make such a big impact in healthcare is a great feeling. I love my role at BD."
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