Automation Engineer
Join Periodic Labs as an Automation Engineer to build an autonomous lab that accelerates materials discovery using AI and automation.
Posted by employer 1 day ago
First seen on Joblaze 1 hour ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 hour ago
What you'll build
- Translate experiments and lab workflows into integration specs and data models
- Design and build automated workcells for materials R&D
- Connect instruments and robots to lab information systems
- Develop instrument drivers for lab workflows
- Integrate the autonomous lab with AI models
Must have
- BS in EE/CS/ME/Controls or equivalent
- 5+ years in lab automation, integration, or industrial automation software
- Hands-on experience with robotic lab automation systems
- Strong experience with scripting/programming (Python preferred)
- Familiarity with APIs, databases, and enterprise software integration
- Hands-on experience with information management and execution systems
Nice to have
- Experience with containers, CI/CD, and Git-based workflows
- Background in lab informatics or scientific data management
AI in the day-to-day
Collaborate with AI and data scientists to integrate the autonomous lab with AI models for analysis and planning of experiments.
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Visa
- Sponsorship available
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
The Automation Engineer at Periodic Labs plays a crucial role in integrating scientific workflows with automated systems to enhance materials discovery. This position requires expertise in lab automation, programming, and data management, particularly with tools like Python and various APIs. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in automation and a background in engineering or computer science, making this role suitable for seasoned professionals looking to contribute to innovative scientific advancements. The company is rapidly growing and emphasizes collaboration between scientists and engineers to push the boundaries of research.
Joblaze insights
- Listed today — first seen on Joblaze October 3, 2026. Last confirmed on Periodic Labs's careers page October 3, 2026.
- Salary band is above the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$126,887).
- Starts above 94% of 267 comparable senior other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $150,000 across 55 companies). See Python salary trends
- Python appears in 16.6% of 2438 comparable senior other roles in United States; MES appears in 0.1% of 2438 comparable senior other roles in United States.
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- Periodic Labs lists $200,000–$250,000 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Automation Engineer role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: LIMS, MES, Python.
- Does Periodic Labs sponsor work visas for this role?
- Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Periodic Labs targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Automation Engineer role at Periodic Labs.
From the original posting
We’re an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what’s scientifically possible.
About the Role
Join our team of scientists and engineers building a lab where AI and automation speed up materials discovery.
We’re building an autonomous lab to speed up materials discovery, and we need someone who loves making instruments, robots, and data systems run together smoothly. As our Automation Engineer, you’ll turn scientific workflows into working software and integrations by designing clear data models, connecting instruments and automation to our lab information systems, and making sure everything stays in sync, safely, and reliably.
What You’ll Do
Collaborate with bench scientists to translate experiments and lab workflows into clear integration specs and data models.
Work with integrators to design and build automated workcells for materials R&D.
Build and maintain services that connect instruments and robots to lab information systems.
Develop instrument drivers that automate lab workflows by generating command sequences and invoking vendor API/SDK methods.
Collaborate with AI and data scientists to tightly integrate the autonomous lab with AI models for analysis and planning of experiments.
BS in EE/CS/ME/Controls or equivalent.
5+ years in lab automation, integration, or industrial automation software.
Hands-on experience with robotic lab automation systems.
Strong experience with scripting/programming (Python preferred).
Familiarity with APIs, databases, and enterprise software integration.
Hands-on experience with information management and execution systems, such as LIMS or MES.
Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have
Experience with containers, CI/CD, and Git-based workflows.
Background in lab informatics or scientific data management.
Mechanics
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or similar experience
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Compensation: $200,000-$250,000 + equity
Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas.
Standard company text repeated across Periodic Labs's postings is omitted here.