The Company 

Lila Sciences is a privately held, early-stage technology company pioneering the application of artificial intelligence to transform every aspect of the scientific method. Lila is backed by Flagship Pioneering, which brings the courage, long-term vision, and resources needed to realize unreasonable results. Join our mission-driven team and contribute to the future of science. 

Our platform is integrating AI and automation into discovery and development efforts across materials and life sciences to accelerate solutions for sustainability and therapeutics challenges. 

At Lila, we are uniquely cross-functional and collaborative. We are actively reimagining the way teams work together and communicate. Therefore, we seek individuals with an inclusive mindset and a diversity of thought. Our teams thrive in unstructured and creative environments. All voices are heard because we know that experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. 

If this sounds like an environment you’d love to work in, even if you only have some of the experience listed below, please apply. 

The Role:

As an Automation Engineer (Open-Level) at Lila Sciences, you’ll help design, develop, and deploy automation systems that streamline laboratory workflows. You will work on building custom workcells and automated processes, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate software, hardware, and controls in a dynamic research environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Workcell Development & Automation:
• Assist in designing and constructing custom workcells that integrate off-the-shelf components with tailored hardware solutions.
• Develop automated workflows using Python to control lab instruments and manage data acquisition.
• Systems Integration & Optimization:
• Collaborate with hardware, controls, and software teams to integrate and optimize automation systems.
• Help troubleshoot issues and implement improvements to boost efficiency and reliability.
• Project Coordination & Communication:
• Use project management tools (e.g., JIRA) to track progress and ensure project milestones are met.
• Engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to facilitate clear communication and alignment.
• Innovation & Continuous Learning:
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and propose creative solutions to advance our workcell designs.
• Contribute to process improvements and share insights with the team to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Preferred Experience:
We welcome candidates who have hands-on experience in advanced automation settings. While experience in laboratory automation is ideal, we are also interested in individuals with transferrable expertise from environments such as semiconductor manufacturing, modern logistics automation, or Manufacturing 4.0. This diverse background provides a strong foundation for developing innovative workcell solutions.

Qualifications:

• Education:
  Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Material Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in Python programming; familiarity with automation frameworks and API integration is a plus.
• Basic understanding of hardware systems, instrumentation, and custom engineering.
• Soft Skills:
• Strong problem-solving skills and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a commitment to learning in a fast-paced, innovative setting.

Working at Lila Sciences, you would have access to advanced technology in the areas of: 

• AI experimental design and simulation 
• Automated custom instrumentation 
• Generative molecular and material design 

About Flagship

Flagship Pioneering is a platform innovation company that invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health or sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated and fostered more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in more than $90 billion in aggregate value. Many of the companies Flagship has founded have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies, and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

Flagship Pioneering and our ecosystem companies are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

At Flagship, we recognize there is no perfect candidate. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your unique background.