Senior Engineer - High Throughput Screening Automation

The Discovery Technologies team at Amgen Research Thousand Oaks CA (ATO) is seeking a highly motivated and talented High Throughput Screening (HTS) Automation Senior Engineer to join our small molecule early drug discovery effort. The successful candidate will be responsible for operating, managing and maintaining a dedicated ultra-high throughput screening (UHTS) robotic platform and ancillary instrumentation to ensure the timely execution of high-quality, microtiter-plate based biochemical and cell-based HTS screens.

Position Responsibilities

Operation of robotic platform(s) & laboratory automation to execute HTS assays in 384 and/or 1536 well plate formats

Performing calibration of HTS equipment for both accuracy & precision and quality control of HTS data

Troubleshooting of various lab instrumentation and automation

Optimizing screening workflows to increase throughput and efficiencies while maintaining high quality results

Critically analyzing experimental data and presenting results

Assisting HTS Assayists to successfully develop, transfer and execute assays on the UHTS platform and ancillary equipment

Efficiently manage execution of both scheduled and ad-hoc maintenance of robotic platform and associated equipment by aligning with both internal stakeholders and external vendors

Ensuring all tasks and responsibilities are performed according to industry-leading scientific standards & accurately documented in SOPs and electronic lab notebook (ELN) system

Monitoring technological developments in the field & evaluation of new technologies

Basic Qualifications

Doctorate Degree
OR
Master's Degree and 3 years of Engineering experience
OR
Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of Engineering experience
OR
Associate's degree and 10 years of Engineering experience
OR
High school diploma/GED and 12 years of Engineering experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in engineering, chemical biology or a relevant field
• 3+ years of experience in 384 & 1536-well microtiter plate HTS execution and/or HTS assay development
• Experience operating and maintaining HTS robotic platform (for example HighRes, GNF/Kalypsys/WAKO)
• Experience programming scheduling software (for example Director, Cellario, Overlord, etc.)
• Experience running and troubleshooting lab instrumentation, including but not limited to liquid handlers, acoustic dispensers, multi-mode plate readers, compound transfer devices, etc.
• Proven experience executing HTS screens using standard in vitro biochemical and cell-based assays detection technologies (e.g. luminescence-based assays, FP, TR-FRET, Alpha, FLIPR, high content, etc.) including assay transfer, execution and troubleshooting
• Experience using lead discovery software and databases (i.e. Genedata Screener, Activity Base, CDD Vault, MDL Assay Explorer, etc.)
• Experience performing advanced queries of institutional HTS databases
• Proficiency with GraphPad Prism and advanced data visualization and wrangling tools (i.e. Spotfire, Tableau, Pipeline Pilot, Knime, etc.)
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Sharepoint & project management software (MS Project, Smartsheet, etc.)
• Programming in .NET (C#, WPF), Python, Java and/or other languages
• Proficiency with CAD modeling (i.e. SolidWorks) and rapid prototyping (i.e. 3D printing) to quickly design and implement any enabling parts or fixtures required to support new functionalities
• Proven troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated successful interpersonal relationships with peers and colleagues in other scientific disciplines
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams to transition an assay from the bench to a high throughput screen
• High level of self-motivation
• We are looking for someone who truly enjoys working with technology so candidates with recreational interest in programming, 3D printing, auto repair, Arduino devices, tinkering, DIY projects, etc. may be an especially good fit.

Our culture is what makes Amgen a special place to work. We have a powerful shared purpose around our mission - to serve patients. We respect one another, recognize contributions, and have embedded collaboration, trust, empowerment and inclusion in all that we do.

Join Us

If you're seeking a career where you can truly make a difference in the lives of others, a career where you can work at the absolute forefront of biotechnology with the top minds in the field, you'll find it at Amgen.

Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer, discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. Our medicines have helped millions of patients in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other but compete intensely to win. Together, we live the Amgen values as we continue advancing science to serve patients.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.