Instrumentation/Automation Service Engineer I

Position Overview

The Automation Service Engineer I role is responsible for the installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of both simple and complex laboratory automation equipment. The Automation Service Engineer I plays a crucial role in fostering positive interactions, providing technical support, and ensuring that customer needs are met in a timely and professional manner. The Engineer I will spend significant time (up to 65%) performing routine and complex tasks related to the calibration, maintenance, and repair of automation equipment. This encompasses automation across a range of laboratory settings, including clinical, research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and quality control laboratories. The automation used in these environments may include liquid handling robots, as well as custom and off-the-shelf automation such as 6-axis robots, work cells, and other specialized devices. Responsibilities also include operating within several regulated environments (e.g., clinical labs under CAP/CLIA and NYSDOH, production and manufacturing labs under cGMP, FDA, and ISO). The Engineer I partners with the Engineer IIs on the team to escalate concerns, present areas of team growth/development and report back on the day-to-day operations of the service team.

Schedule Shift - Tuesday - Friday 8:00 pm - 6:30 am.

Essential Duties

• Install and commission advanced automation systems, ensuring qualifications are completed per service policies and procedures.
• Leads structured root cause investigations for automation failures and implements corrective actions.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and calibrations in accordance with service policies.
• Complete accurate service records, ensure documentation meets Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and comply with safety and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, FDA, ISO, CLIA) and support the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
• Continuously develop expertise in servicing complex automation equipment. Provides hands-on mentorship to Level 1 technicians on troubleshooting and best practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and service engineers to ensure effective troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Perform system startups, calibrations, and qualification tasks (IQ/OQ/PQ) following established protocols.
• Conduct engineering design, platform eligibility testing, systems integration, or performance testing.
• Contribute to small service projects, such as system upgrades and preventive maintenance improvements, under the direction of senior staff.
• Maintain service documentation, including reports, procedures, and troubleshooting guides, ensuring updates reflect current practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; or, in lieu of Bachelor's degree, Associates degree in Engineering, Technology, Electronics, or similar field with 2 years of experience.
• 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience interpreting mechanical parts and assembly drawings.
• Experience with electrical circuits and diagrams, including the use of electrical measurement tools such as multi-meters and analyzers.
• Proficient in using computer software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and mobile devices/tablets.
• Strong communication skills, with experience in both verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrated mechanical and troubleshooting aptitude, with hands-on experience performing on-site calibrations and preventative maintenance of automation equipment.
• Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience with Quality Systems, documentation requirements, and regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, FDA, CLIA, ISO, CAP).
• 2+ years of experience operating automation equipment (e.g., liquid handling robots) and performing hands-on technical troubleshooting.
• Experience in loading and/or updating software applications related to automation equipment.
• Demonstrated understanding of electrical circuits and diagrams, including the use of common electrical measurement tools such as multi-meters and oscilloscopes.
• Experience working in a Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) environment.
• Experience with validation processes and automation qualification.
• Working knowledge of clinical laboratory service operations and activities.