Automation Engineer
- United States - Washington – Bothell
Our Purpose
Our Values
Benefits
Why Patients Need You
Pfizer’s purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer’s purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.
Role Summary
We are looking for an Automation Engineer who will lead our automation core team within the Protein and Bioanalytical Sciences group. This person will play a critical role in the development of solutions that increase the efficiency, throughput and cost effectiveness of processes conducted by the ADC Discovery and Cancer Immunology department, in support of the Pfizer Oncology research community. The Automation Engineer will collaborate with subject matter experts in ADC Conjugation and Protein Bioanalytical Sciences to analyze existing processes and tools with the goal of identifying high impact, automation focused improvements. These may include process, instrument, and software improvements. The resulting data driven recommendations will ensure that the proposed solutions have a meaningful positive effect on Key Productivity Indicators. The Automation Engineer will collaborate with scientists to execute and, at times, drive projects that fulfill the department’s objectives. The goal is to enhance the research community’s ability to quickly find targeted therapies to enable rapid advancement of cancer therapeutics. These activities will require onsite work at our Bothell, WA campus.
Role Responsibilities
Lead development of automated protocols on a variety of laboratory instruments.
Development of assays on liquid handlers, such as Tecan Fluent, and Hamilton STAR
Oversee automation efforts within the functional team; advise, plan and forecast how new automation strategies can enhance throughput and efficiency. Then help build the solutions.
Take calculated risks and design automated solutions that are robust and easy to operate but provide Pfizer with a competitive edge.
Leverage knowledge of programming languages like C+ and Python to enhance or expand the capabilities and flexibility of automated laboratory solutions.
Keep your finger on the pulse of technology advances that can be leveraged to increase performance and robustness of Pfizer’s laboratories.
Partner cross-functionally with scientific subject matter experts. Leverage strong automation knowledge to contribute to the decision-making process to reach the best solutions.
Collaborate on development of robust experiments that evaluate feasibility of a potential automated solutions, using data to guide direction.
Work alongside scientists to learn or enhance laboratory skills related to ADC bioconjugation and protein purification to help deliver highly characterized molecules for discovery research.
Execute and document early-stage experiments, feasibility studies and ultimately validation studies.
Propose ideas, own responsibilities, and manage timelines effectively to meet milestones and deliver results.
Leverage strong problem-solving skills to support all things laboratory automation.
Communicate strongly with group leaders to ensure they are informed.
Qualifications
Must-Have
Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry, Engineering or related field, with 9+ years of experience, or Master’s Degree with 7+ years of experience in laboratory setting, including 3+ years developing laboratory automation of varying complexity.
Ability to program liquid handling robotics with strong knowledge of liquid class optimization.
Experience using program languages to enhance the processing capabilities of automated platforms.
Ability to lead projects independently, with an understanding of when to seek guidance.
Strong troubleshooting and automation methodology capabilities.
Desire to assist colleagues when needed with automation related issues.
Experience generating metrics and acting based on data.
Strong communication skills with ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and to report progress to leadership.
Nice-to-Have
Prior experience with Tecan liquid handlers, including end-to-end coding of new methods.
Experience writing plans, protocols, and reports for equipment qualification, experimental design, feasibility studies, and validation.
Experience performing bioconjugation and/or protein purification in an industry setting.
Experience with process mapping and Gantt charting.
Experience building customized parts for improved automation.
Experience with ELN integration.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to stand, bend and lift heavy items up to 30 lbs
Other Job Details:
Work Location: On Premise
Last date to apply is May 3, 2024
Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.
Sunshine Act
Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider’s name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.
EEO & Employment Eligibility
Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer. This position requires permanent work authorization in the United States.
Breakthroughs that change patients’ lives
Research confirms what intuition tells us: that purpose-driven companies perform better, are more innovative, attract and retain the best people, and know how to unleash the power of those people. Pfizer’s purpose—Breakthroughs that change patients' lives—fuels everything we do and reflects our passion for building on our legacy as one of the greatest contributors of good to the world.
Each word in our purpose has meaning and reflects the value we strive to bring to patients and society:
“Breakthroughs” - These are the innovations, scientific and commercial, that we seek to deliver every day. All colleagues, regardless of role, level or location, strive for breakthroughs every day.
“Change” - We want to do more than simply improve patients’ medical conditions; we want to dramatically change their lives for the better.
“Patients’ lives” - We consider not only patients, but everyone they touch—including their families, caregivers, and friends—and everything they love to do. It’s an intentionally holistic view.
Our purpose ensures that patients remain at the center of all we do. We live our purpose by sourcing the best science in the world; partnering with others in the healthcare system to improve access to our medicines; using digital technologies to enhance our drug discovery and development, as well as patient outcomes; and leading the conversation to advocate for pro-innovation/pro-patient policies.
Every decision we make and every action we take is done with the patient in mind—and to nurture an environment where breakthroughs can thrive.
Our Values
To fully realize Pfizer’s purpose, we have established a clear set of expectations regarding “what” we need to achieve for patients and “how” we will go about achieving those goals.
The “how” is represented by four simple, powerful values—courage, excellence, equity, and joy—that define our company and our culture.
Courage: Breakthroughs start by challenging convention, especially in the face of uncertainty or adversity. This happens when we think big, speak up, and are decisive.
Excellence: We can only change patients’ lives when we perform at our best together. This happens when we focus on what matters, agree who does what, and measure our outcomes.
Equity: We believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and cared for. This happens when we are inclusive, act with integrity, and reduce healthcare disparities.
Joy: We give ourselves to our work, but it also gives to us. We find joy when we take pride, recognize one another, and have fun.
Benefits at Pfizer
Pfizer offers competitive compensation and benefits programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our colleagues. Our Pay for Performance Philosophy and Practices reward colleagues based on the contributions they make to our business.
Our Competitive Benefits Programs help our colleagues by:
- Promoting Health and Wellness to help colleagues maintain and improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Pfizer offerings include health and disability insurance, preventative health programs, medical screenings, free or reduced-cost vaccinations, discounts on Pfizer products, mental health support, nutrition and fitness counseling and more.
- Strengthening Colleagues’ Financial Security by providing company contributions to retirement plans, life insurance and financial planning education to help colleagues achieve their financial goals.
- Providing Benefits and Time off for the Moments that Matter to ensure Pfizer colleagues have the time away from the office to recharge, recover and return to work as the best version of themselves. Vacation, Holiday time and Sick time are just the beginning, with a 12 week parental leave policy for both parents of a new born, 10 day of caregiver leave for those times when your family needs you whether it’s a child, spouse or parent, bereavement leave, and additional country-specific programs.
- And so much more, depending on your country and site, Pfizer offers childcare facilities or discount programs, on-site health and/or fitness centers, movement and mindfulness solutions, “Log in for your Day” work flexibility and so much more.
For U.S. based jobs, view an overview of Pfizer’s U.S. benefits program (opens in a new window)