Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

The role

The Laboratory Automation Engineer will program, integrate, and maintain robots for an autonomous laboratory. This role builds software layers for robot hardware using the MADSci framework and creates digital twins to plan and validate protocols.

What you will do

• Program, calibrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots
• Deploy MADSci modules, nodes, and workcell definitions
• Translate biological protocols into automated workflows
• Connect robot and instrument outputs to data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems
• Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, and monitoring
• Troubleshoot hardware and software faults
• Implement interlocks and safe-state behavior
• Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks
• Train laboratory staff to operate and recover the system
• Write standard operating procedures and technical documentation

Required qualifications

• Several years of hands-on experience with laboratory robotics or comparable automation
• Experience with vendor APIs and SDKs, device drivers, and orchestration or scheduling software
• Experience with robotics in a biological laboratory
• Comfort working around biological materials under biosafety practices
• Strong Python, including asynchronous or service-style code, REST APIs, and hardware or network protocols
• Experience with Git, testing, code review, and Docker
• Ability to read a protocol and turn it into a reliable automated workflow
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to obtain and maintain NIH/HHS security clearance
• Meet federal contractor suitability requirements

Nice to have

• Direct experience with MADSci, or with similar laboratory orchestration frameworks
• Experience with simulation platforms such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MoveIt, or similar
• Experience with stem cell, iPSC, organoid, or tissue engineering laboratories
• Experience with self-driving or autonomous laboratories
• Familiarity with ROS 2, robot kinematics, and computer vision
• Experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and message-based architectures
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, and metadata standards, and with FAIR data principles
• Experience with imaging instruments and plate-based assays
• Experience building or using simulation or digital-twin models of robotic systems

Benefits

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Healthcare (FSA)
• Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
• Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Before you apply

• Ability to obtain and maintain NIH/HHS security clearance
• Meet federal contractor suitability requirements

About the company

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications. They work with research organizations including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).