Sr. Automation Engineer

At Veracyte, we offer exciting career opportunities for those interested in joining a pioneering team that is committed to transforming cancer care for patients across the globe. Working at Veracyte enables our employees to not only make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients, but to also learn and grow within a purpose driven environment. This is what we call
the Veracyte way
– it's about how we work together, guided by our values, to give clinicians the insights they need to help patients make life-changing decisions.

Our Values

• We Seek A Better Way: We innovate boldly, learn from our setbacks, and are resilient in our pursuit to transform cancer care
• We Make It Happen: We act with urgency, commit to quality, and bring fun to our hard work
• We Are Stronger Together: We collaborate openly, seek to understand, and celebrate our wins
• We Care Deeply: We embrace our differences, do the right thing, and encourage each other

The Position
Veracyte is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join our growing Automation and Process Engineering team. This is a dynamic and impactful role where you will lead the development, optimization, and validation of automated liquid handling workflows—particularly using Hamilton platforms—for the implementation of molecular Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) in a regulated clinical laboratory environment.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Clinical Operations, Software, and IT teams to design and deploy innovative automation solutions that improve throughput, reproducibility, and efficiency. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of molecular diagnostics through cutting-edge automation and process innovation.

This is an onsite position based in our South San Francisco office.
Responsibilities

• Design, program, and validate automated workflows for molecular assays using liquid handling platforms (eg. Hamilton) and other automated laboratory instruments
• Translate manual molecular protocols (e.g., RNA/DNA extraction, NGS library prep) into robust, high-throughput automated methods.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Clinical Operations, and Software teams to integrate automation with LIMS, bioinformatics pipelines, and data management systems.
• Lead portions or entire cross-functional projects from concept through implementation, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.
• Collaborate with Equipment Engineering and Operations and QA on equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), calibration, and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Contribute to the development of custom 3D printed parts, software scripts, workcells, and novel automation technologies.
• Document workflows, SOPs, ERDs, and process maps in accordance with quality and regulatory standards.
• Provide technical mentorship and collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Who You Are
You've worked with both manual and automated molecular assays and feel right at home programming Hamilton systems. You might also have experience with microarray prep, NGS library prep, or RNA/DNA extraction from sample types like FFPE, blood, or cultured cells—that's a big plus.

You know how to build automation workflows that work in a high-throughput, CLIA-regulated lab—not just in theory. You're good at spotting potential issues before they become problems, and you're the kind of person who enjoys figuring out how to fix things when they don't go as planned.

You manage your time well, stay organized, and aren't afraid to try new approaches or take calculated risks. You enjoy working with others, sharing ideas, and solving tough problems as a team. Most of all, you're excited about using your skills to help push the boundaries of what's possible in molecular diagnostics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of industry experience in laboratory automation, with deep expertise in Hamilton Robotics platforms (preferred).
• Strong background in molecular biology techniques such as PCR, RNA/DNA extraction, microarray, and NGS.
• Proven experience designing, programming, and troubleshooting automated workflows in a clinical or regulated lab.
• Familiarity with CLIA, CAP, GxP, and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, C#) and database integration.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira and Confluence.
• Experience with CAD design and 3D printing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power Platform and modern AI tools.
• Experience integrating automation with cloud-based data systems and bioinformatics pipelines.

The final salary offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include but are not limited to the type and length of experience within the job, type and length of experience within the industry, education, etc. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units. Veracyte is a multi-state employer, and this salary range may not reflect positions that work in other states.

Pay range

$135,000—$175,000 USD

What We Can Offer You

Veracyte is a growing company that offers significant career opportunities if you are curious, driven, patient-oriented and aspire to help us build a great company. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, and are committed to fostering an inclusive workforce, where diverse backgrounds are represented, engaged, and empowered to drive innovative ideas and decisions. We are thrilled to be recognized as a 2024 Certified Great Place to Work in both the US and Israel - a testament to our dynamic, inclusive, and inspiring workplace where passion meets purpose.

About Veracyte
Veracyte (Nasdaq: VCYT) is a global genomic diagnostics company that improves patient care by providing answers to clinical questions, informing diagnosis and treatment decisions throughout the patient journey in cancer and other diseases. The company's growing menu of genomic tests leverage advances in genomic science and technology, enabling patients to avoid risky, costly diagnostic procedures and quicken time to appropriate treatment. The company's tests in lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are available to patients and its lymphoma subtyping and renal cancer tests are in development. With Veracyte's exclusive global license to a best-in-class diagnostics instrument platform, the company is positioned to deliver its tests to patients worldwide. Veracyte is based in South San Francisco, California. For more information, please visit and follow the company on X (Formerly Twitter).

Veracyte, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability status. Veracyte participates in E-Verify in the United States. View our CCPA Disclosure Notice.

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