Director, Analytical Operations- Laboratory Automation
Gilead Sciences
June 27, 2026
On-site
San Francisco Bay Area
Operations
Job Summary
The Director of Laboratory Automation leads the design, implementation, and management of automated platforms and workflows within Analytical Development (AD). Transforms manual sample preparation, HPLC/GC-MS analysis, and data processing into seamless, continuous high-throughput operations, accelerating method development, improving data quality, and enhancing lab capacity. Partners with PDM and IT/Digital to drive digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute AD lab automation strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned to pipeline and digital/IT strategy.
- Lead selection, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of automation platforms (e.g., liquid handlers, robotics, integrated analytical systems).
- Translate scientific workflows into standardized, scalable automated processes; identify high-value use cases.
- Supervise integration of HPLC/GC/MS with robotics for continuous automated testing.
- Integrate automation with informatics (LIMS/ELN/SDMS), scheduling, and data pipelines to enable end-to-end digital workflows and data integrity.
- Establish governance for automation demand intake/prioritization, standards, and portfolio tracking.
- Build and lead a team; manage vendors/partners; manage capital/operating budgets; develop training/support/sustainment models.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. (Engineering/Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related) or MS/BS with commensurate experience.
- 8+ years (Ph.D.), 10+ years (MS), 12+ years (BS) in pharma/biotech analytical development and laboratory automation.
- Demonstrated delivery of automated integrated lab workflows improving throughput/quality/cycle time.
- Hands-on automation integration: liquid handling, robotics, plate handling, barcode/RFID, vision systems, laboratory middleware.
- Experience integrating with LIMS/ELN/SDMS and data systems; familiarity with API-based integration and data pipelines.
- Strong analytical development knowledge and data integrity principles; influence across functions; strategic/system/change leadership; execution excellence.
Compensation/Benefits
- Salary range: $226,185.00–$292,710.00. May be eligible for discretionary annual bonus and long-term incentives; paid time off; company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life insurance.
Application Instructions
- For current Gilead employees and contractors: apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
The Director of Laboratory Automation leads the design, implementation, and management of automated platforms and workflows within Analytical Development (AD). Transforms manual sample preparation, HPLC/GC-MS analysis, and data processing into seamless, continuous high-throughput operations, accelerating method development, improving data quality, and enhancing lab capacity. Partners with PDM and IT/Digital to drive digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute AD lab automation strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned to pipeline and digital/IT strategy.
- Lead selection, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of automation platforms (e.g., liquid handlers, robotics, integrated analytical systems).
- Translate scientific workflows into standardized, scalable automated processes; identify high-value use cases.
- Supervise integration of HPLC/GC/MS with robotics for continuous automated testing.
- Integrate automation with informatics (LIMS/ELN/SDMS), scheduling, and data pipelines to enable end-to-end digital workflows and data integrity.
- Establish governance for automation demand intake/prioritization, standards, and portfolio tracking.
- Build and lead a team; manage vendors/partners; manage capital/operating budgets; develop training/support/sustainment models.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. (Engineering/Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical Sciences or related) or MS/BS with commensurate experience.
- 8+ years (Ph.D.), 10+ years (MS), 12+ years (BS) in pharma/biotech analytical development and laboratory automation.
- Demonstrated delivery of automated integrated lab workflows improving throughput/quality/cycle time.
- Hands-on automation integration: liquid handling, robotics, plate handling, barcode/RFID, vision systems, laboratory middleware.
- Experience integrating with LIMS/ELN/SDMS and data systems; familiarity with API-based integration and data pipelines.
- Strong analytical development knowledge and data integrity principles; influence across functions; strategic/system/change leadership; execution excellence.
Compensation/Benefits
- Salary range: $226,185.00–$292,710.00. May be eligible for discretionary annual bonus and long-term incentives; paid time off; company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life insurance.
Application Instructions
- For current Gilead employees and contractors: apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.