Job Description

In this role, you’ll be part of a team that is responsible for Process & Automation and Scaling complex workflows and implementing processes for a state-of-the-art sequencing lab.  You will wear multiple hats and support the development of all parts of a state-of-the-art robotics facility.  Your customers will be licensed clinical operators; your goal is to use software and automation to help them focus on extensive screening. 

The Process Automation Engineer will be involved in all aspects of assay automation development from concept, requirements definition, and manual assay development to adaptation, optimization, troubleshooting and validation.  You will leverage an understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry to troubleshoot analytical and preparative processes. The successful candidate will apply scientific methods and engineering skills to improve the scalability of Guardant Health’s sample processing workflows.

As a Process Engineer, you must be collaborative and able to effectively participate in or lead cross functional teams working in a variety of projects.  These cross functional teams will explore, develop, optimize, test, and implement robust, scalable solutions for Guardant Health’s sample processing workflows with attention to understanding business and user requirements and improving efficiency, throughput, and quality.  You will be expected, after training, to understand, and to perform all laboratory procedures needed to process samples with our workflows to support process development and implementation activities. You will also contribute to protocol generation, report writing and presentation preparation.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Analyze workflows, identify bottlenecks, and develop solutions to improve efficiency, throughput, cost, and quality
• Contribute to innovation of current and new assays workflows, technologies and processes 
• Work on distribution aspects of products and effectively and comfortably work with customers
• Development of support for sustainability as well as transitions and delivery 
• Program, optimize, verify and implement robotic liquid handling workstations and integrated robotic systems
• Leverage an understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry to troubleshoot analytical and preparative processes
• Apply scientific methods and engineering skills to improve the scalability of Guardant Health’s sample processing workflows

Qualifications

• Prior, demonstrated experience designing, developing, testing, implementing, and supporting automated sample-processing workflows using a requirements-driven approach in clinical laboratory or other molecular biology-based laboratory setting.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, developing, and implementing workflow improvements that improve laboratory efficiency, throughput, cost, and quality
• A BS degree in engineering or science, preferably in molecular biology, genetics or biochemistry, bio-engineering, chemical engineering or a closely-related discipline. An MS with 1+ years of related work experience will also be considered.
• At least 4+ years’ experience as a process engineer or 2+ years as a process engineer in a life sciences company.
• Familiarity with the full life cycle of automated laboratory processes development, including collecting and documenting requirements, developing concepts, design, documentation, testing/validation, implementing, training, and process monitoring.
• Experience with operating and programming liquid handling robotics platforms (Hamilton, TECAN, Beckman, Agilent)
• Experience with standard genomic molecular biology techniques such as nucleic acid isolation & purification, DNA/RNA quantitation, fragment analysis, qPCR and next generation sequencing
• Experience communicating and collaborating with internal and external colleagues and customers from diverse scientific, engineering, operational, and regulatory disciplines
• Familiarity with statistical data analysis, monitoring data quality and troubleshooting technical problems

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Employee may be required to lift routine office supplies up to 20 lbs and use office equipment. Majority of the work is performed in a desk/office environment; however, there may be exposure to high noise levels, fumes, and biohazard material in the laboratory environment. Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

Guardant Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Please visit our career page at:  http://www.guardanthealth.com/jobs/