Lab Automation Engineer II

GRAIL is a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. GRAIL is focused on alleviating the global burden of cancer by developing pioneering technology to detect and identify multiple deadly cancer types early. The company is using the power of next-generation sequencing, population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to enhance the scientific understanding of cancer biology, and to develop its multi-cancer early detection blood test. GRAIL is headquartered in Menlo Park, CA with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. GRAIL, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Illumina, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILMN). For more information, please visit www.grail.com.

The Lab Automation Engineer II will join a team responsible for transitioning manual workflows and processes on to semi/fully automated robotics platforms as appropriate and provide ongoing support of these systems. The Lab Automation Engineer II will primarily interact with scientists, software developers, end users and equipment engineers to bring automation technologies into day-to-day laboratory operations. The ideal candidate will be experienced in liquid handling robotic platforms, high throughput screening technologies and NGS assay workflows. 
You Will:

• Transition manual workflows onto automated liquid handlers.
• Configure, program and troubleshoot laboratory automated platforms and integrated systems.
• Optimize existing automated processes to improve efficiency, throughput, robustness and quality.
• Implement new software and hardware automated solutions.
• Provide support for existing equipment and coordinate vendor support as required.
• Author, execute and document test plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for automated workflows.
• Coordinate with different cross functional team members and execute projects in a timely manner.
• Monitor and evaluate new and emerging technologies in laboratory automation systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned and work during or outside normal business hours as needed.

Your Background Should Include:

• B.S. or M.S. in molecular biology, chemistry, engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years hands on experience in lab automation and liquid handling.
• Proficiency in both writing and optimizing scripts on automated liquid handling platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman, etc.,) and instrument types (e.g. pipetting, bulk dispense)Experience in operations/manufacturing environments.
• Experience writing and executing automated test protocols.
• Experience with scheduling software to run integrated systems.
• Experience with NGS workflows is desirable.
• Experience with High Throughput Screening technologies and instrumentation.
• Experience with Laboratory Information Management system is a plus Programming experience, creating test scripts with API calls is very beneficial.
• Analytical, creative thinking and ability to solve problems.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Clear evidence of self-motivation, energy and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience working in a clinically regulated environment is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and communication skills.

GRAIL is an Equal Employment Office and Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We will reasonably accommodate all individuals with disabilities so that they can participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Following extensive monitoring, research, consideration of business implications, and advice from internal and external experts, GRAIL has made the decision to require all U.S. employees receive the COVID-19 vaccines as a condition of employment. “Full vaccination” is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks since a single-dose vaccine has been administered. Anyone unable to be vaccinated, either because of a sincerely held religious belief or a medical condition or disability that prevents them from being vaccinated, can request a reasonable accommodation.