Hardware Engineer
Job Title: Hardware Engineer II – BioSystems / Lab AutomationLocation: Mountain View, CA (Hybrid) Duration: 6+ MonthsAbout the RoleAs a Hardware Engineer II, you will contribute to the design, development, and validation of biological and lab automation systems supporting synthetic biology workflows. This role bridges hardware systems, laboratory automation, and biological experimentation, enabling scalable strain engineering and high-throughput screening.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop, and validate lab hardware systems and automated workflows for biological applicationsOptimize system performance across automation platforms, assays, and biological outputsExecute and support strain engineering and high-throughput screening workflows (96/384 well plates)Work with liquid handling systems (Agilent Bravo, Tecan, Hamilton) and integrated lab automationAnalyze system-level trade-offs across performance, throughput, cost, and reproducibilityDebug and troubleshoot issues across hardware systems, lab workflows, and biological processesCollaborate cross-functionally with scientists, engineers, and data teamsMaintain documentation: system specs, validation reports, SOPs, and workflowsPerform validation using experimental data, statistical methods, and system measurementsContribute to scaling workflows from lab to production (plate → bioreactor insights)Required QualificationsB.S./M.S. in:BioengineeringMolecular BiologyBiochemistryChemical EngineeringOR related field3–5+ years experience in:Lab automation OR hardware systems in biotechSynthetic biology / molecular biology environmentsStrong experience in:Hardware/system validation & troubleshootingAutomation systems (liquid handlers, robotics)Data analysis and experimental validationWorking within product development lifecyclePreferred QualificationsExperience with:CRISPR, cloning, strain engineeringHigh-throughput screening (HTS)Benchling / LIMS systemsStatistical analysis & assay QCExposure to:Bioprocess / fermentation scale-upIntegrated automation systems