Laboratory Automation Lead
Zoetis
August 18, 2026
Remote friendly (Kalamazoo, MI)
United States
IT
Position Responsibilities:
- Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
- Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
- Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing automation roadmap and investment decisions.
- Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
- Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
- Manage external partnerships by leveraging vendors, integrators, and outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
- Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with at least 6 years’ industry experience.
- Extensive experience programming at least one relevant liquid handler.
- Ability to understand end-user experience and design user-focused software interfaces.
- Experience integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
- Experience with development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.
Technical Skills:
- Streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from requirements through implementation and support.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors.
- Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be hands-on.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS degree in a science or engineering field.
- Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues (preferred).
- Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution.
- Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput.
- Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing automation roadmap and investment decisions.
- Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance.
- Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows.
- Manage external partnerships by leveraging vendors, integrators, and outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk.
- Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with at least 6 years’ industry experience.
- Extensive experience programming at least one relevant liquid handler.
- Ability to understand end-user experience and design user-focused software interfaces.
- Experience integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems.
- Experience with development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes.
Technical Skills:
- Streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from requirements through implementation and support.
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors.
- Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be hands-on.
Preferred Qualifications:
- MS degree in a science or engineering field.
- Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues (preferred).