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Staff Lab Automation Engineer

Company Description

Guardant Health is a leading precision oncology company focused on helping conquer cancer globally through use of its proprietary tests, vast data sets and advanced analytics. The Guardant Health oncology platform leverages capabilities to drive commercial adoption, improve patient clinical outcomes and lower healthcare costs across all stages of the cancer care continuum. Guardant Health has commercially launched Guardant360®, Guardant360 CDx, Guardant360 TissueNext™, Guardant360 Response™, and GuardantOMNI® tests for advanced stage cancer patients, and Guardant Reveal™ for early-stage cancer patients. The Guardant Health screening portfolio, including the Shield™ test, aims to address the needs of individuals eligible for cancer screening.

Job Description

About the Role:

As a Staff Lab Automation Engineer you will join an innovative group of engineers. You’ll help lead projects in all aspects of reagent and assay automation development, collaborate on obtaining requirements, optimizing automated workflows, troubleshooting, and validating a final workflow. You’ll be able to use and grow your molecular biology and biochemistry knowledge with an eye towards increasing the reliability, throughput, sustainability, and performance of NGS sample processing using advanced liquid handling platforms. You will be working both independently and collaborating with other Automation Engineers and Scientists on a Technology Development team to increase the future capabilities of multiple products.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead or contribute to development of reagent manufacturing and assay processes, technologies and innovate on current workflows. Focus on integrating automated liquid handling processes, robotic work cells, sample tracking and data management software, and tools.
  • Take ownership for designing and outlining milestones needed to enable a product or product feature to follow a timeline. Collaborate closely with other development, operation, and quality teams.
  • Analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and develop solutions to improve efficiency, throughput, cost, and quality to support released products.
  • Program robotic liquid handling workstations and integrated robotic systems.
  • Lead meetings, deliver presentations, and create reports for communicating new product development efforts.
  • Prepare documentation for equipment validation and operating procedures and ensure successful lab implementation within a regulated environment.
  • Mentor and guide automation and process engineers on technical efforts.

Qualifications

  • BS degree in engineering or science with 10-15 years of related experience, MS with 5-8 years of related work experience, or PhD with 3-5 years of industry experience. 
  • Hands-on experience with operating and programming liquid handling robotics platforms (Hamilton and Bravo liquid handlers preferred)
  • Hands-on experience programming robots and robotic systems (Biosero GBG preferred.)
  • Experience streamlining workflows, developing automated laboratory processes, and instrumentation systems from designing concepts to process validation and implementation. 
  • Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays preferred. 
  • Experience working within regulated environments (IVD, LDT, etc.)
  • Strong communication and collaborative skills
  • Ability to work, internal & external with diverse scientific, engineering, operational, and regulatory disciplines.
  • Experience with statistical data analysis, monitoring data quality, and troubleshooting technical problems.

Additional Information

Hybrid Work Model: At Guardant Health, we have defined days for in-person/onsite collaboration and work-from-home days for individual-focused time. All U.S. employees who live within 50 miles of a Guardant facility will be required to be onsite on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. We have found aligning our scheduled in-office days allows our teams to do the best work and creates the focused thinking time our innovative work requires. At Guardant, our work model has created flexibility for better work-life balance while keeping teams connected to advance our science for our patients.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $94,720.00 to $127,870.00. The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries across all US locations for the posted role with the exception of any locations specifically referenced below (if any).

For positions based in Palo Alto, CA or Redwood City, CA, the base salary range for this full-time position is $118,400.00 to $159,840.00. The range does not include benefits, and if applicable, bonus, commission, or equity.

Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including, but not limited to, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. If you are selected to move forward, the recruiting team will provide details specific to the factors above.

Employee may be required to lift routine office supplies and use office equipment. Majority of the work is performed in a desk/office environment; however, there may be exposure to high noise levels, fumes, and biohazard material in the laboratory environment. Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

Guardant Health is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our hiring processes for candidates with disabilities, long-term conditions, mental health conditions, or sincerely held religious beliefs. If you need support, please reach out to [email protected]

Guardant Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

To learn more about the information collected when you apply for a position at Guardant Health, Inc. and how it is used, please review our Privacy Notice for Job Applicants.

Please visit our career page at: http://www.guardanthealth.com/jobs/

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Average salary estimate

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$118400K
$159840K

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What You Should Know About Staff Lab Automation Engineer , Guardant Health

At Guardant Health, we're on a mission to conquer cancer with our cutting-edge precision oncology technologies. We are searching for a Staff Lab Automation Engineer to join our innovative team in Redwood City, CA. In this role, you'll dive deep into reagent and assay automation development, taking charge of optimizing automated workflows and ensuring that we're always pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our lab environments. Drawing from your expertise in molecular biology and biochemistry, you’ll help us advance the efficiency and reliability of our next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample processing. Collaborating closely with fellow engineers and scientists, you will lead projects focused on integrating advanced liquid handling platforms and robotic systems. Your responsibilities will include troubleshooting workflows, programming robotic workstations, and mentoring junior engineers. If you're passionate about contributing to the future of cancer care through innovation and collaboration, we want to hear from you! Join us at Guardant Health and help us improve clinical outcomes while lowering healthcare costs. We also offer a hybrid work model to provide the best work-life balance, empowering our teams to thrive while doing crucial work for patients everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Staff Lab Automation Engineer Role at Guardant Health
What are the responsibilities of a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health?

The Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health is responsible for leading the development of reagent manufacturing and assay processes, optimizing automated workflows, and troubleshooting issues to ensure seamless operations within the lab. This role involves programming liquid handling systems, mentoring junior engineers, and analyzing workflows to identify bottlenecks while developing solutions that improve efficiency and quality in NGS sample processing.

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What qualifications do I need to become a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health?

To qualify for the Staff Lab Automation Engineer position at Guardant Health, you should have a BS degree in engineering or science with 10-15 years of relevant experience or an MS with 5-8 years of work experience. A PhD with 3-5 years in the industry is also acceptable. Hands-on experience with liquid handling robotics, programming robots, and familiarity with next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays are essential. Additionally, strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams are vital.

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What skills are crucial for a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health?

Key skills necessary for a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health include expertise in operating and programming robotic systems, developing automated laboratory processes, and streamlining workflows. Candidates should also possess excellent analytical skills, strong collaboration abilities, and experience working in regulated environments, such as IVD or LDT.

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How does the hybrid work model at Guardant Health benefit a Staff Lab Automation Engineer?

The hybrid work model at Guardant Health enhances the work-life balance of a Staff Lab Automation Engineer by defining days for both onsite collaboration and prioritize independent work. This structure fosters effective communication and teamwork during collaborative days while allowing engineers to focus on individual projects from home on designated remote days.

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What growth opportunities exist for a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health?

There are numerous growth opportunities for a Staff Lab Automation Engineer at Guardant Health, including the chance to lead innovative projects, mentor junior engineers, and participate in cutting-edge research in the field of oncology. The role offers an environment where you can continually develop your technical skills and contribute to significant advancements in cancer care.

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Common Interview Questions for Staff Lab Automation Engineer
What experience do you have with liquid handling robotics?

When answering this question, highlight specific instances where you've operated and programmed liquid handling robotics. Discuss particular platforms you’ve worked with, such as Hamilton or Bravo, and detail any processes you automated and the outcomes of those efforts, such as increased throughput or reduced error rates.

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Can you describe a time you improved an automated workflow?

To effectively answer this question, describe the workflow you were working on, the challenges you identified, and the steps you took to implement changes. Provide quantifiable results—such as time saved or efficiency gained—demonstrating the impact of your improvements.

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How do you ensure compliance in a regulated laboratory environment?

In your response, outline your understanding of regulatory standards in environments like IVD or LDT. Discuss your experience creating documentation, conducting validations, and how you train teams on regulatory compliance and quality assurance practices that ensure the integrity of lab processes.

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What strategies do you use to analyze workflows and identify bottlenecks?

Answer by sharing specific analytical techniques and tools you've employed to assess workflows, such as process mapping, time studies, or statistical analysis. Highlight your ability to communicate findings effectively with interdisciplinary teams to drive collaborative solutions.

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Describe your experience in mentoring or guiding junior engineers.

Highlight your mentorship style, describing how you approach teaching complex concepts and offer support. Share specific examples where you helped junior engineers overcome challenges or develop new skills that enhance their technical expertise and confidence.

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What programming languages are you familiar with in the context of robotics?

Discuss any relevant programming languages you’ve used in robotics programming, such as Python, C++, or specific platforms' proprietary languages. Provide examples of how you've leveraged coding skills to enhance automation capabilities in previous roles.

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How do you approach troubleshooting technical problems encountered in a lab setting?

Describe your methodical approach to troubleshooting, which may include defining the problem, analyzing data, consulting resources, and implementing solutions. Share a specific example of a challenge you faced and how your approach led to a successful resolution.

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Have you worked with next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays, and if so, what was your role?

If applicable, provide details about your experience with NGS, outlining the specific assays you've involved in and your contributions to optimizing protocols, enhancing automation processes, or improving assay performance. If possible, discuss any insights you gained from this experience.

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What is your experience with data management software in a laboratory setting?

Discuss your familiarity with data management tools and how you've integrated them into laboratory workflows to enhance data accuracy and tracking. Provide examples of how you ensured laboratory efficiency and compliance through effective data management.

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What do you find most exciting about working in laboratory automation?

Share your genuine passion for laboratory automation, perhaps discussing how it integrates technology and biology to improve healthcare. Highlight specific advancements or trends that excite you, illustrating your enthusiasm and commitment to the field.

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Guardant Health is a mission-driven company where patients are the inspiration that drives us every day. By connecting with patients and caregivers, we gain insights into the challenges they face at all stages of the journey. When you join us, you...

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March 27, 2025

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