Senior Microscope Automation Engineer
Digital Biology
At Digital Biology we focus on integrating technologies that enable mapping biological interactions in their native tissue context, and deploying these at the scale needed to understand and impact human disease. Our platform has broad applicability, from elucidating mechanism of action and biomarkers, to screening of genetically encoded systems.
Digital Biology is a rapidly growing Seed stage company backed by top VCs and partnering with the world’s top pharmaceutical companies. Our interdisciplinary team of biologists and engineers are passionate about bringing the future of biological measurements to life; we are looking for someone to work alongside us to make that a reality.
Role overview
This role is for a technical lead in designing, developing, and deploying automated microscope workflows for high-throughput microscopy and photolithography. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in automation of microscopy workflows, deep hands-on experience with optical systems (confocal microscopy, photolithography), and proven experience delivering reliable and scalable automation workflows.
Core Responsibilities
- Lead design and development of robust and scalable microscope automation workflows for high resolution imaging, on-scope liquid handling, and photolithography
- Develop in-house microscope control software: write device adapters and scientist user interfaces to support integration of hardware into automation workflows
- Design, prototype, and productionalize accessories to enable automation (sample holders, stage modifications, etc.)
- Work closely with scientists and engineers to spec system requirements and maintain accurate development plans
- Work closely with data engineers to integrate data outputs into databases and analysis pipelines
- Develop and implement testing protocols to validate system performance and stability, and develop data-driven solutions to improve workflows
- Generate and update SOPs for automation workflows
- Create and maintain operating specs and thorough documentation for production hardware and software systems
- Maintain a culture of continuous improvement in system efficiency and reliability
- Provide on-call support for hardware and software for scientists during live process runs
- Develop user-facing documentation and trainings
Additional Responsibilities
- This is an onsite position
Required Qualifications
- BS in optical engineering, physics, biomedical, electrical engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience
- Minimum 5+ years of industry experience, or a PhD (in a relevant field) and 3+ years of industry experience
- Demonstrated ability to deliver complex engineering solutions on schedule
- Extensive hands-on experience with imaging systems, and a deep working knowledge of microscope components
- Experience with µManager is strongly preferred
- Software development experience using Python, C++, or comparable programming languages
- Track record of system design and integration, from concept through production
- Successful track record of leading multi-functional technical projects
- Commitment to positive and innovative team-oriented culture
- Passion for scaling biological data collection toward patient impact
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in ML/computer vision for image analysis
- Familiarity with Git and DevOps practices
- Experience with developing Napari plug-ins
- Vendor management experience for sourcing equipment and materials
- Experience with liquid handlers (on-scope liquid handlers and/or Hamilton experience preferred)
- Experience working with digital micromirror devices and other patterned illumination is preferred
- Strong project management skills
Company Benefits: Health, vision, life, dental insurance and 401K plan.
If you don't meet all of the requirements listed here, we still encourage you to apply or reach out to us. No job description is perfect – we may find an even more suitable opportunity that is a better fit for you.