Senior Automation Support Engineer chez Baylor Genetics

Shift Information:
This position will be scheduled on one of the following shifts:

• Friday - Tuesday 7am to 4pm

• Friday - Tuesday 3pm - 12am

Key Responsibilities

Operational Support

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and maintenance for automated liquid handlers and related laboratory instruments such as plate readers, TapeStations, Bioanalyzer, etc.
• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and software issues to minimize downtime and maintain production continuity.
• Perform and oversee preventive maintenance, calibration, and validation activities to ensure optimal system performance and compliance.
• Support equipment installation, relocation, and decommissioning.
• Track and manage equipment configurations, method updates, and change control documentation.
• Conduct detailed shift handoffs to communicate equipment status, ongoing issues, and pending actions to ensure operational continuity across shifts.

Process Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Lead root cause analysis for recurring instrument issues and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to validate hardware or software upgrades and new instrument integrations.
• Develop and maintain metrics for equipment performance, utilization, and preventive maintenance effectiveness.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Documentation & Communication

• Maintain complete and accurate records, including service logs, maintenance histories, calibration certificates, and validation reports.
• Ensure all documentation and activities comply with CAP, CLIA, and internal Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
• Support internal and external audits as a subject matter expert for automation systems.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Mentor and train Automation Support Engineers and laboratory staff on proper operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Serve as a liaison with vendors for technical escalations, service coordination, and warranty claims.
• Work closely with IT support to address connectivity and system control issues.
• Partner with Quality, Regulatory, and Lab Operations teams to maintain compliance and readiness for inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Biotechnology, or related field.
• Over four years of experience in laboratory automation, robotics, and instrumentation, with proven expertise in diagnosing and resolving mechanical, electrical, and software issues across complex integrated platforms including liquid handlers such as Tecan and Beckman systems.
• Experience in a regulated laboratory environment (CAP, CLIA, NYS) with an understanding of documentation and compliance requirements.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred

• Experience optimizing liquid handling methods and workflows to improve throughput, precision, and reliability.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and instrument integration.
• Hands-on experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation workflows and the automation of NGS library prep.
• Programming experience in VB, C, or C++ for method development.

Shift & Work Conditions

Schedule: Friday through Tuesday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (on-site) or Friday through Tuesday, 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM (on-site). Work in a laboratory or production environment with extended standing, walking, and equipment interaction. Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds may be required for equipment maintenance tasks. Must be proactive, adaptable, and capable of independent decision-making.

EEO Statement

Baylor Genetics is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.