About Satomic

Satomic’s mission is to close the gap from idea to molecule with faster navigation of chemical space. We are building an automated chemistry platform that integrates laboratory robotics, software, and AI to transform small-molecule synthesis and drug discovery.

As an early-stage startup, we are not only building the technology but also the playbooks, partnerships, and culture that will shape a new paradigm for drug discovery and chemistry at scale. Building an enduring company requires both world-class execution and the courage to chart a course through uncertainty in these early days.

About the role

We are seeking an early-career Automation Engineer to help operate and improve Satomic’s automation platform. This role will support daily automated chemistry workflows while owning validation, testing, and reliability of existing automation methods. The successful candidate will work closely with chemists and the principal automation engineer to troubleshoot workflows, validate new automation methods, and implement improvements that make the platform more robust and scalable.

In this role, you will work across Satomic’s automation platform, which integrates liquid handling robotics, laboratory instrumentation, and software systems to enable automated chemistry workflows. Automation engineers on the platform team collaborate closely with chemists and software engineers to develop, validate, and operate automation workflows used in research and production.

Technologies and systems you may work with include:

• Liquid handling robotics (e.g., Hamilton liquid handlers)
• Automation control software (e.g., VENUS)
• Laboratory instrumentation such as incubators, de-cappers, and analytical systems
• Internal software systems used for experiment orchestration and data capture
• Automation validation and testing frameworks used to ensure reliability of automated workflows

This position is hands-on and laboratory-based, with opportunities to contribute to automation development as the platform grows. Over time, the role will evolve from supporting and validating workflows to owning portions of the automation system and contributing to the development of new automated capabilities.

The ideal candidate enjoys troubleshooting complex automation systems, improving workflow reliability and automation system robustness, and developing automation methods that enable scalable chemistry operations.

Expected Outcomes:

By day 30, you will have:

• Created and presented a walkthrough of one automated chemistry workflow, including a diagram showing the instruments involved, automation methods executed, plate flow, and common failure points

• Participated in the execution of at least two automated chemistry workflow runs and documented the workflow steps and observed system behavior
• Participated in the investigation of at least one automation workflow issue (e.g., VENUS method execution, chemistry data generation, or instrument behavior) and documented the troubleshooting process, root cause, and resolution in a method report or SOP update.
• Executed one validation or system verification procedure using the established validation protocol and documented the results
• Used existing SOPs and automation documentation to complete a workflow task and proposed at least one improvement to platform documentation

By 90 days, you will have:

• Served as the primary Tier-1 responder for routine automation troubleshooting, independently diagnosing and resolving multiple workflow issues in collaboration with Chemistry Research Operations
• Independently supported execution of automated chemistry workflows across multiple runs, including run monitoring and troubleshooting when issues occur
• Investigated and documented one recurring automation workflow failure mode and proposed or implemented an improvement to increase reliability
• Developed, tested, and deployed at least one automation method or method improvement on a liquid handling platform (e.g., sample prep, dilution, or plate transfers) and documented the workflow, validation results, and operating procedure.

By year 1, you will have:

• Independently owned reliability and validation of multiple automation workflows supporting automated chemistry workflows

• Implemented feature requests and improvements to existing automation methods across liquid handling systems
• Successfully deployed and maintained automation methods across multiple instruments
• Established consistent validation and regression testing practices to ensure automation workflows remain reliable as they evolve
• Become a trusted resource for chemists running automation workflows and contributed to improving usability and reliability of the automation platform

By year 5, you will have:

• Developed deep expertise in Satomic’s automation platform and automated chemistry workflows
• Owned major automation workflows or subsystems, ensuring their reliability, maintainability, and scalability
• Led development of new automation capabilities and workflow improvements across the platform
• Defined or improved automation development standards, validation practices, or platform architecture used across the automation team
• Mentored and guided newer automation engineers or associates as the automation team grows
• Contributed to the technical direction and scaling of Satomic’s automation platform to support expanded automated chemistry workflows and production processes

Responsibilities

Automation Reliability & Platform Operations

• Own first-line troubleshooting and root-cause investigation of failures across liquid handling systems and integrated automation instrumentation
• Support chemistry research operations by assisting with the execution of automated chemistry workflows, including preparing runs, monitoring workflow execution, and helping resolve issues during operation
• Identify recurring failure modes and collaborate with the principal automation engineer to implement improvements that increase system reliability and reduce operational interruptions
• Escalate complex automation issues to the principal automation engineer when appropriate, providing clear documentation of the problem, investigation steps, and observed system behavior
• Proactively monitor automation systems and workflows to detect potential issues early and prevent disruptions to ongoing experiments

Workflow Improvements & Method Development

• Implement feature requests and workflow improvements for existing automation methods, including deck configuration, labware teaching, and workflow adjustments
• Develop and maintain well-scoped automation methods across liquid handling platforms, implementing updates to existing workflows and validating changes before deployment
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of automation methods under the guidance of the principal automation engineer
• Assist with deploying and maintaining automation methods across multiple liquid handlers and automation systems
• Support testing and rollout of updates to existing automation workflows, including training end users on proper use of liquid handlers and updated workflow procedures.

Validation & Testing

• Own repeated execution and documentation of validation experiments and regression testing for automation workflows to ensure reliability and reproducibility across liquid handling systems

• Verify that automation methods meet established validation standards for liquid handling performance, including liquid class verification and routine system checks
• Support testing of new or updated automation methods prior to deployment in production workflows
• Reproduce and investigate automation bugs, documenting findings and collaborating with the principal automation engineer to resolve root causes

Documentation & Enablement

• Develop and maintain SOPs, troubleshooting guides, and deck setup documentation
• Create clear documentation to support chemists running automation workflows, including workflow setup, error recovery, and best practices
• Assist in training chemists on standard automation workflows and system operation
• Contribute to maintaining an organized knowledge base of automation methods, configurations, and troubleshooting resources

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, robotics, computer science, or a related technical field, with 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience working with laboratory automation systems, liquid handling platforms, robotics, or other complex technical systems. Experience with Hamilton VENUS is preferred.
• Experience validating and troubleshooting hardware, software, method, or instrumentation issues
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug technical systems
• Ability to document technical work clearly and collaborate effectively with scientists and engineers
• Willingness to work in a hands-on laboratory environment supporting automated chemistry workflows

Overview of Satomic’s Interview Process

• 15-minute phone screen: A brief introductory call to discuss the role and answer questions.
• 3 x 45 minute interviews: the hiring manager will coordinate a block where you can have three 45 minute interviews back to back with different members of the Satomic team, who will ask questions about your past experience and fit for the role.
• 90-minute final round: A representative systems or workflow scenario discussed live with the interview panel.

Why Join Satomic?

Join a team tackling frontier challenges in chemistry and the biggest bottleneck in drug disovery– an opportunity to shape not just Satomic, but the future of how molecules are discovered and made.

Diversity & Inclusion

We know there’s a serious lack of diversity in our industry, and that needs to change. At Satomic, we’re committed to helping drive that change. Our culture is built on inclusion, humility, humanity, and ingenuity— values that guide how we work with one another and how we approach the challenges of scaling science. We believe that bringing together people with diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking is not just the right thing to do, but makes us stronger: we want every member of our team to feel they belong and can do the best work of their career here.

Our mission is to close the gap from idea to molecule. That mission carries responsibility: the chemistry we enable can accelerate access to life-changing medicines and technologies, but it can also pose risks if used carelessly. We’re not agnostic to how our platform is applied—we care deeply about ensuring it is used for good. Building a team of diverse and thoughtful voices gives us the best chance of delivering a platform that not only advances the future of chemistry and drug discovery, but does so responsibly and with lasting positive impact on our world.