Job DescriptionDiscovery Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine (BGM) at AbbVie is seeking a Lab Automation Engineer to support and advance innovation in laboratory process automation. In this role, you will help transform manual workflows into scalable, efficient, and high-quality automated systems while ensuring reliable performance of integrated laboratory instrumentation. You will contribute across the full lifecycle of assay automation and instrument integration, including concept development, requirements definition, protocol optimization, troubleshooting, and end-to-end validation. This role will have broad impact on biotherapeutic discovery efforts across AbbVie's core therapeutic areas, including Immunology, Oncology, Neuroscience, and Aesthetics.
Responsibilities: - Maintain and optimize Hamilton integrated high-throughput screening platforms to support standardized applications at scale.
- Partner with laboratory scientists to conceptualize, define, and implement new high-throughput cell-based and in vitro assay automation solutions.
- Design of CAD models for 3D printing or custom vendor production delivering prototype and production parts.
- Provide onboarding, training, and troubleshooting support to scientists using integrated automation platforms.
- Implement and refine laboratory instrument software to enable efficient, scalable high-throughput sample processing.
- Evaluate, pilot, and deploy new efficiency capabilities such as physical AI or autonomous science to continuously advance our laboratory operations.
- Manage automation-related consumable inventories and track equipment performance.
Qualifications- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, or a related field with typically 5-7+ (BS) or 2-5+ (MS) years of experience
- Proven experience operating and programming automated liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton (Venus), Dynamic Devices, and Opentrons, as well as other complex laboratory systems.
- Strong working knowledge of in vitro functional and immunoassays, including ELISA, flow cytometry, cell-based potency assays, internalization assays, and related techniques.
- Demonstrated proficiency in CAD design and production of custom system components.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with diverse internal and external stakeholders across scientific, engineering, and operational functions.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience managing vendors for large installations, including design reviews, FATs, SATs, and validation activities.
- Demonstrated experience implementing orchestration across multiple system integrations.
Position will be filled at level commensurate with extent of education, experience, and accomplishment - Scientist I or Scientist II
Additional InformationApplicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
