Laboratory Application Automation Engineer

The Laboratory Automation Software Engineer will design and develop software applications that power laboratory automation systems, robotic work cells, collaborative robots (cobots), laboratory instruments, and connected industrial devices.

This role is focused on building the software layer that enables communication, orchestration, monitoring, and control of automated laboratory operations. The engineer will develop user interfaces, device drivers, APIs, and integration services that connect robotic platforms, instruments, ovens, scanners, sensors, actuators, PLCs, and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

The ideal candidate combines software engineering expertise with industrial automation experience and enjoys solving complex integration challenges in laboratory environments.

Key Responsibilities

Application Development:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software applications used to operate laboratory automation systems.
• Build modern web-based and desktop user interfaces for laboratory operators, technicians, and engineering staff.
• Develop software solutions for workflow management, instrument control, sample tracking, and process monitoring.
• Create dashboards, status monitoring tools, alarm handling, and reporting applications.

Device & Robotics Integration:

• Develop and maintain communication interfaces for:
  • Collaborative robots (cobots)
  • Robotic systems
  • Laboratory instruments
  • Ovens and environmental chambers
  • Barcode and QR code scanners
  • Sensors and actuators
  • PLC-controlled equipment
  • Vision systems
• Create and maintain device drivers, APIs, and middleware connectors.
• Integrate automation systems with laboratory and enterprise software platforms.

System Architecture & Connectivity:

• Design scalable software architectures that support laboratory automation ecosystems.
• Develop integrations with:
  • LIMS
  • Instrument data systems
  • Manufacturing and laboratory databases
  • Cloud-hosted applications
  • Enterprise applications
• Implement communication protocols such as:
  • REST APIs
  • OPC-UA
  • MQTT
  • TCP/IP
  • Serial communications
  • Modbus

Workflow Automation:

• Develop applications supporting:
  • Instrument maintenance tracking
  • Digital work instructions
  • QR/barcode-based workflows
  • Equipment utilization monitoring
  • Sample lifecycle management
  • Automated data collection and reporting
• Improve traceability and data integrity through automation solutions.

Testing, Validation & Support:

• Perform software testing, debugging, and validation activities.
• Troubleshoot hardware-software integration issues.
• Support deployment, commissioning, and production startup activities.
• Participate in root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives.

Documentation:

• Create and maintain technical documentation including:
  • Software architecture documents
  • Interface specifications
  • Device communication standards
  • User guides
  • Installation and troubleshooting procedures