Senior Automation Engineer (I, II, III)

Position Summary

We are seeking an Automation Engineer to drive and support the development, platforming and day-to-day operation of automated QC workflows in our Cell Q system at our South San Francisco, CA site. This role is central to translating newly developed assays into scalable, automated workflows ahead of transfer and validation on Cell Q.

The successful candidate will work hands-on to develop and program liquid handling methods, write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code, and test these methods to confirm functionality and performance before they move into validation. Working closely with Analytical Development, Quality Control, Software, Manufacturing and IT, the Automation Engineer will contribute to development, user training, technical documentation and controlled management of automated test methods.

Candidates should enjoy working in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and be comfortable owning assay automation from early-stage development through hand-off for validation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automated liquid handling protocols to platform new assays onto the Cell Q system
• Partner with Analytical Development (AD) to translate manually developed assays into automation-compatible methods
• Write and maintain Biosero Green Button Go (GBG) code to implement and integrate automation solutions
• Design and execute validation experiments to optimize assay and workflow parameters.
• Conduct testing of newly developed automated methods to confirm functionality and performance ahead of formal validation
• Troubleshoot and iterate on liquid handler methods and GBG scripts throughout development
• Collaborate with QC, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality to support the transition of developed assays into validated production use
• Document method development, coding logic, and testing outcomes to support downstream validation and transfer
• Monitor and refine automated workflows based on development and testing feedback to improve reliability and performance

Requirements

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience developing and programming liquid handling automation methods. Experience on Tecan Fluent preferred.
• Hands-on experience coding in Biosero's Green Button Go (GBG) software, or equivalent scheduling software experience
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or C#
• Experience working cross-functionally to platform manual assays onto automated systems
• Familiarity with flow cytometry, genomic, and cell-based assays
• Experience with laboratory analytical instruments and automated systems
• Familiarity with GMP documentation and change control practices, or ability to quickly learn regulated documentation requirements
• Strong technical writing skills and experience authoring SOPs, documentation, and training materials
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot technical issues during method development
• Strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple development efforts simultaneously
• Creative, self-motivated, eager to take on a wide variety of tasks and grow with the evolving technology
• Self-awareness, integrity, authenticity, and a growth mindset

This is Cellares

Cellares is the first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) and takes an Industry 4.0 approach to mass manufacturing the living drugs of the 21st century. The company is both developing and operating integrated technologies for cell therapy manufacturing to accelerate access to life-saving cell therapies. The company’s Cell Shuttle integrates all the technologies required for the entire manufacturing process in a flexible and high-throughput platform that delivers true walk-away, end-to-end automation. Cell Shuttles will be deployed in Cellares’ Smart Factories around the world to meet total patient demand for cell therapies at global scale. Partnering with Cellares enables academics, biotechs, and pharma companies to accelerate drug development and scale out manufacturing, lower process failure rates, lower manufacturing costs, and meet global patient demand.
The company is headquartered in South San Francisco, California with its commercial-scale IDMO Smart Factory in Bridgewater, New Jersey. The company is backed by world-class investors and has raised over $355 million in financing.

Leveling will be based on overall experience, education, and demonstration of knowledge throughout the interview process.