Laboratory Automation Engineer (Robotics and Digital Twins)

<div style="font-size:10pt;font-family:'Tahoma'">(ID: 2026-3890)<p></p><br> <p><strong>Axle</strong> is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).</p> </div><br> <div style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Tahoma'"> <p><strong>Benefits We Offer:</strong></p> <ul> <li>100% Medical, Dental &amp; Vision Coverage for Employees</li> <li>Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays</li> <li>401K match up to 5%</li> <li>Educational Benefits for Career Growth</li> <li>Employee Referral Bonus</li> <li> Flexible Spending Accounts: <ul> <li>Healthcare (FSA)</li> <li>Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)</li> <li>Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)</li> <li>Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="ck-content" data-wrapper="true" style=" font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 10pt;"><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;" data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><strong>Position Overview</strong></p><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW172808230 BCX8" style="font-style:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;padding:0px;text-align:justify;white-space:pre-wrap;word-spacing:0px;">The Laboratory Automation Engineer will program, integrate, and keep running the robots of the autonomous laboratory in Bethesda, starting with the BAB400, so that biological experiments run reliably without a person at the bench. The role builds the software layer that turns robot hardware into orchestrated, repeatable workflows, using the MADSci framework from Argonne National Laboratory. It also builds digital twins of the robots and workcells, used to plan, test, and validate protocols before they run on real hardware. The position combines hands-on robotics work in a biological lab with production-quality software development, and it works closely with IDSS data engineers, bioinformaticians, and the biologists who define the protocols.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></span></p><div style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="e7a160415ac6f9fbe42dfb7a80957676b"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Robot programming and control. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Program, calibrate, and maintain the BAB400 and other laboratory robots, including arms, liquid handlers, plate movers, and incubator and imaging interfaces.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="e54322226a663e6631426615887e6bd78"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">MADSci integration. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">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.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="ebec35d71c5148b2cd15a29ea0af2ce79"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Workflow development and scheduling. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Translate biological protocols (cell culture, iPSC maintenance, passaging, media exchange, imaging, sampling) into automated workflows with sequencing, timing, resource tracking, and recovery from failures.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="e1acc6512981022d8a6f673bab03bdb9f"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Instrument and data integration. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Connect robot and instrument outputs to the data pipelines, LIMS, and metadata systems maintained by IDSS, so every run is logged, traceable, and reusable.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="ea514031f316efb5111759ec79abda261"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Validation and reliability. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Develop acceptance tests, error handling, logging, and monitoring. Troubleshoot hardware and software faults, and document root causes and fixes.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="ed438a6b3446c0d93d620036b90b9f913"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Safety and compliance. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Implement interlocks and safe-state behavior, and follow laboratory, biosafety, and NIH/HHS security requirements.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="efe0fddc77199a0ae6c5c58fe3066167c"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Tool evaluation. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Evaluate robots, drivers, simulators, and frameworks, and prepare short technical assessments for IDSS leadership.</span></span></p></li><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="ef1053a978e660f7c3834ea28ff19823a"><p class="Paragraph SCXW223328702 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="font-weight:bold;line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Training and documentation. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW223328702 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Train laboratory staff to operate and recover the system, and write standard operating procedures and technical documentation.</span></span></p></li></ul></div><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><strong>Required Qualifications</strong></span></p><div style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW241543425 BCX8" style="clear:both;margin:0px;overflow:visible;padding:0px;position:relative;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW241543425 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9.33333px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="Paragraph SCXW241543425 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9.33333px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRun SCXW241543425 BCX8 NormalTextRun" style="line-height:20.7px;margin:0px;padding:0px;" data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The selection standard is demonstrated ability to get automated systems working. A degree in engineering, computer science, robotics, or a related science is common, but equivalent practical experience is fully acceptable.</span></span></p><ul><li class="ck-list-marker-font-size ck-list-marker-font-family" data-list-item-id="e361a553ce871a14bc15c08080e4b4d10"><p class="Paragraph SCXW241543425 BCX8" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 0px 9.33333px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:10pt;"><span class="TextRu