Lila Sciences
Drug Discovery
Contractor,SupportEngineerI,Automation(2ndshift)
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optimal for Entry candidates.
“Contractor, Support Engineer I, Automation (2nd shift) at Lila Sciences. Skills: Automation, Troubleshooting, Electro-mechanical equipment, Software systems. Monitor and maintain AISF workcells. Triage instrument faults”
What You'll Achieve.
Keep second-shift operations humming; Keep experiments moving into the evening; Keep their work on track; Hand the system back with clear status report; Ensure tomorrow's science can start without surprises; Keep workcells reliable across shifts; Day team inherits clear picture; Day team can plan accordingly
Industry & Context.
Troubleshoot electro-mechanical equipment; Troubleshoot software systems; Root cause analysis
Second shift work (2-10 PM), On-site in Cambridge, MA
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
1+ years of hands-on experience with lab automation, lab instrumentation, or production operations in a life sciences or physical sciences environment, Ability to troubleshoot electro-mechanical equipment and software systems independently, written communication, particularly for shift handoff documentation, Willingness and availability to work a 2–10 PM weekday schedule on site in Cambridge, MA
Nice to Have
Experience with liquid handlers, plate-based workflows, or high-throughput screening instrumentation, Familiarity with lab scheduling or workflow orchestration software (Cellario or similar), Scripting or light programming ability (Python, C#, or similar) for log analysis or quick diagnostic work, Exposure to robotic integration platforms or multi-instrument workcell environments, Background in a 24/7 or multi-shift operations environment where structured handoffs were part of the workflow
What You'll Do.
Monitor and maintain AISF workcells
Triage instrument faults
Triage software errors
Coordinate with Research Operations scientists
Prioritize recovery efforts
Troubleshoot electro-mechanical systems
Troubleshoot software systems
Run routine maintenance
Document shift events
Document outstanding issues
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Work with Integration Engineering teams; Work with Research Operations teams; Partner with on-shift Research Ops scientists; Work closely with engineers who designed AISF
Communication Scope
Written communication; Shift handoff documentation
Full Job Description
Your Impact at LILA Lila Sciences is hiring a Support Engineer I, Automation to keep second-shift operations humming on the AI Science Factory (AISF), the automated platform driving our work in drug discovery, bioengineering, and advanced materials. You will work 2–10 PM alongside the Integration Engineering and Research Operations teams, picking up where the day shift leaves off and keeping experiments moving into the evening. The work is hands-on and varied. You triage issues on the workcells as they come up, recover stalled runs, knock out routine maintenance, and partner with on-shift Research Ops scientists to keep their work on track. At the end of the night, you hand the system back to the day team with a clear status report so tomorrow's science can start without surprises. You will work closely with the engineers who designed the AISF — its schedulers, liquid handlers, robotics, and the software tying them together. This is a contract position, on site in Cambridge, MA. What You'll Be Building Monitor and maintain AISF workcells during second shift, triaging instrument faults, software errors, and run failures as they surface. Coordinate with on-shift Research Operations scientists to prioritize recovery efforts and keep active experiments moving when multiple issues compete for attention. Troubleshoot electro-mechanical and software systems, using judgment about when to resolve in-shift versus stabilizing and handing off to day-shift engineers for fixes that need vendor support, parts, or extended downtime. Surface recurring failure patterns to the engineering team so root causes get addressed, not just symptoms. Run routine maintenance, setup, and teardown to keep workcells reliable across shifts. Document each shift's events, decisions, and outstanding issues so the day team inherits a clear picture and can plan accordingly. What You'll Need to Succeed Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, or equival
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