Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

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  Robot programming and control. Program, calibrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots, including arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, and incubator and imaging interfaces.

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  MADSci integration. Deploy MADSci modules, nodes, and workcell definitions so each robot and instrument can be commanded, monitored, and scheduled through a common interface. Contribute fixes and new modules back to the framework where appropriate.

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  Workflow development and scheduling. Translate biological protocols (cell culture, iPSC maintenance, passaging, media exchange, imaging, sampling) into automated workflows with sequencing, timing, resource tracking, and recovery from failures.

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  Instrument and data integration. Connect robot and instrument outputs to the data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems maintained by IDSS, so every run is logged, traceable, and reusable.

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  Validation and reliability. Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, and monitoring. Troubleshoot hardware and software faults, and document root causes and fixes.

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  Safety and compliance. Implement interlocks and safe-state behavior, and follow laboratory, biosafety, and NIH/HHS security requirements.

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  Tool evaluation. Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks, and prepare short technical assessments for IDSS leadership.

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  Training and documentation. Train laboratory staff to operate and recover the system, and write standard operating procedures and technical documentation.

• Direct experience with MADSci, or with similar laboratory orchestration frameworks (for example PyLabRobot, Opentrons tooling, or ROS-based systems).

• Experience with simulation platforms such as NVIDIA Isaac Sim, Gazebo, MoveIt, or similar robot simulators.

• Experience with stem cell, iPSC, organoid, or tissue engineering laboratories.

• Experience with self-driving or autonomous laboratories, including closed-loop experiments driven by ML or optimization.

• Familiarity with ROS 2, robot kinematics, and computer vision for labware or sample detection.

• Experience with Kubernetes, CI/CD, and message-based architectures (MQTT, Redis, or similar).

• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, and metadata standards, and with FAIR data principles.

• Experience with imaging instruments and plate-based assays.

• Experience building or using simulation or digital-twin models of robotic systems, or a clear record of learning a new simulator quickly.

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.

The diversity of Axle’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: careers@axleinfo.com

This role has a market-competitive salary with an anticipated base compensation range listed below. Actual salaries will vary depending on a candidate’s experience, qualifications, skills, and location.

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