Laboratory Automation and Robotics Engineer (10077)

Overview
This position is stewarded by The Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD). EBSD leads novel and necessary research in three core areas: Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Environmental Molecular Sciences. The contributions of EBSD staff elevate the impact of PNNL's science mission: to understand, predict, and control the complex adaptive systems underlying the science behind Earth, energy, and security.

This position is within the Instrument Development and Automation Laboratory (IDAL) at PNNL’s Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory. As a Laboratory Automation and Robotics Engineer in IDAL, you will join a team of talented engineers and technicians who develop and support cutting-edge instrumentation down to the component level and up to multi-device custom and commercial platforms. In collaboration with our scientific and data science teams, IDAL is onboarding automated platforms to scale research in microbial phenotyping (e.g. synthetic biology, analytical chemistry) and the molecular analysis of soils (e.g. soil organic carbon sequestration, drought impacts). As a member of the IDAL team you will also have the opportunity to work with individual researchers across PNNL in disciplines such as chemistry, materials science, energy storage and beyond. 

A successful candidate for this position will have a keen interest in enabling cutting-edge science and expertise in more than one of the following areas:

• Adapting manual experiments to automated systems
• Programming a diversity of scientific instruments to work with robotic systems
• Integrating AI/ML tools with automated systems
• Developing and/or deploying autonomous control and decision making tools for experiments

This is an onsite position.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate effectively with staff with a diversity of expertise and experiences.
• Map and convert manual laboratory processes into automated workflows.
• Develop process and design requirements in collaboration with research staff.
• Design robotic systems and/or automated platforms to solve a variety of scientific challenges.
• Program robotic systems and instruments to perform experiments.
• Strategically select approaches and tools to balance robustness, cost, and timelines according to project needs.
• Continuously improve and/or resolve system performance issues.
• Independently manage multiple project deliverables within timeline, scope, and budget.
• Stay current with new technologies and evaluate them for use in new or existing systems.
• Contribute to publishing and presenting results in journals, conferences, and to sponsors.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior staff and students.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree or course work in biology, chemistry, and/or engineering (e.g., chemical, biomedical, electrical, robotics)
• Experience with robotics or laboratory orchestration software e.g. Robot Operating System (ROS), Green Button Go, Cellario
• Expertise developing scripts for laboratory equipment like liquid handlers e.g. Tecan Fluent, Hamilton STAR
• Experience with programming languages e.g. Python, C#
• Familiarity with software version control e.g. Git
• Familiarity with process mapping approaches and tools e.g. Visio
• Familiarity with engineering quality management concepts e.g. failure mode and error analysis, root cause analysis, statistical process control
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
• Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DoE), Bayesian Optimization, and basic statistical analysis (e.g. t-tests, chi-square)
• Familiarity with project management and documentation tools e.g. JIRA, GitLab
• Either Ph.D., M.Sc., in related field or industry experience with demonstrated success developing and deploying automated solutions

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Laboratory work that may involve use of hazardous and toxic chemicals.
• Prototype equipment development that may involve physical hazards.

Testing Designated Position
This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity
Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace
PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.  If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn. 

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement
In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential.  To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Mandatory Requirements
Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards
Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave**, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

* Research Associates excluded.

**Once eligibility requirements are met.

Click Here For Rockstar Rewards

Notice to Applicants
PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary
USD $117,100.00/Yr.
Maximum Salary
USD $185,100.00/Yr.