Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer

Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Role Purpose:

Due to growth, Lonza is expanding its laboratory automation division and is hiring a Senior Laboratory Automation Engineer in Slough. Working closely with our lab scientists and bioinformaticians, you will be responsible for enhancing our research, development, and analytical capacities. You will identify, create, implement, and manage state-of-the-art lab automation platforms and technologies in Biologics R&D. Candidates for this role must have expertise in Software or Hardware Laboratory Automation within the Biopharma, Biotech, or equivalent scientific sectors. If you have expertise in multiple commercially accessible automation equipment, liquid handling systems, and plate readers, coupled with experience in integrating laboratory systems, then we would love to see what you can do!

Successful candidates must be willing to travel to other Lonza sites within the UK and Europe, accounting for approximately 10% of working time.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Engage directly with laboratory scientists, bioinformaticians, IT personnel, and other stakeholders to comprehend challenges and requirements, and to propose or implement automation solutions accordingly.
2. Adapt, tailor, and maintain both new and existing robotic equipment, integrated systems, and liquid handling platforms to facilitate the automation of laboratory processes.
3. Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in automation, robotics, and laboratory systems integration.
4. Supervise the installation, validation, and qualification of equipment to ensure performance meets standards.
5. Ensure adherence to security and operational standards by managing documentation and collaborating with local engineering groups, health and safety offices, and other relevant entities.
6. Demonstrate familiarity with Biopharma 4.0 digitalization initiatives.

Key Requirements:

1. Possess a Bachelor's/Master’s or PhD in Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, or other relevant disciplines.
2. Demonstrated depth of proficiency and experience in the implementation of Laboratory Automation in the Biopharma, Biotech, or equivalent scientific sectors.
3. The ability to program and develop automation solutions, ideally using laboratory automation software/hardware systems such as Hamilton, Vantage/STAR line, Tecan Fluent/Evo, Beckman or Biomek.
4. Proficient programming skills in any object-oriented language relevant to automation.
5. Hands-on experience integrating and programming third-party automation hardware such as pipetting robots and plate readers.
6. Excellent communication and presentation abilities to a diverse audience.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

Reference: R59202