Automation Engineer III

Why join Freenome?

Freenome is a high-growth biotech company developing tests to detect cancer using a standard blood draw. To do this, Freenome uses a multiomics platform that combines tumor and non-tumor signals with machine learning to find cancer in its earliest, most-treatable stages. 

Cancer is relentless. This is why Freenome is building the clinical, economic, and operational evidence to drive cancer screening and save lives. Our first screening test is for colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenomas, and it’s just the beginning. 

Founded in 2014, Freenome has ~400 employees and continues to grow to match the scope of our ambitions to provide access to better screening and earlier cancer detection.  

At Freenome, we aim to impact patients by empowering everyone to prevent, detect, and treat their disease. This, together with our high-performing culture of respect and cross-collaboration, is what motivates us to make every day count.

Become a Freenomer

Do you have what it takes to be a Freenomer? A “Freenomer” is a determined, mission-driven, results-oriented employee fueled by the opportunity to change the landscape of cancer and make a positive impact on patients’ lives. Freenomers bring their diverse experience, expertise, and personal perspective to solve problems and push to achieve what’s possible, one breakthrough at a time.

About this opportunity:

At Freenome you’ll have the opportunity to participate in building a cutting edge clinical laboratory with end to end automation to help fulfill our mission for the early detection and intervention of disease. As an Automation Engineer, you will develop automated solutions to deliver cancer diagnostic blood testing, and provide operational support to drive the company toward product commercialization. You will use a wide range of automation tools and grow with our team of highly experienced automation engineers. We work closely with clinical lab teams, service engineers, R&D scientists, and software engineers to evaluate and implement new technology, develop new automated workflows,  and continuously improve the performance and efficiency of the lab. 

What you’ll do:

• Work directly with project teams to clearly define project requirements, set timelines, and establish acceptance criteria
• Create and optimize liquid handling and robotic methods to replace manual operations, establish scientific feasibility, and improve product performance
• Collaborate with support and scientific teams to minimize downtime and proactively address challenges in the lab
• Understand the impact of each method on the laboratory workflow, identify improvements and effectively communicate proposals cross-functionally
• Provide troubleshooting and investigation support for clinical lab and R&D processes and identify systematic preventive actions as needed
• Support execution of sample processing in a regulated clinical lab setting using automated liquid handlers and integrated robotic workcells
• Innovate to solve new and challenging problems in a high pace team oriented environment
• Maintain a focus on quality and communication to build trust and collaboration with cross-functional teams
  

Must haves:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, biochemistry, or a related scientific field
• 4+ years of laboratory experience in the life sciences, especially in high throughput labs
• Experience with one or more liquid handling or automation scheduling software with a preference for Hamilton Venus, Agilent VWorks/Bravo, and Thermo Momentum
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully and collaboratively in a cross-functional team specifically with a R&D team
• Familiar with genomic/molecular biology workflows
• Functional knowledge in experimental design, bench execution, process documentation, and data analysis
• Experience working with a broad set of instruments
• Critical thinking, attention to detail, and ability to address problems systematically and drive to resolution
  

Nice to haves:

• Direct experience with NGS workflows and lab processes
• Experience with integrated robotic workcells
• Experience reviewing and applying scientific data to drive automation improvements
• Experience planning and executing validation studies for automated methods
• Experience working in a regulated environment (CLIA / CAP / NYS / FDA / GCLP / cGMP) is strongly preferred
  

Benefits and additional information:

The US target range of our base salary/hourly rate for new hires is $104,975 - $159,500. You will also be eligible to receive pre-IPO equity, cash bonuses, and a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits depending on the position offered.  Please note that individual total compensation for this position will be determined at the Company’s sole discretion and may vary based on several factors, including but not limited to, location, skill level, years and depth of relevant experience, and education. We invite you to check out our career page @ freenome.com/job-openings/ for additional company information.  

Freenome is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer, and we value diversity. Freenome does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.  

• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

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