Job description

Laboratory Automation Engineer/Specialist

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + EMI Option Scheme

Contract type – fixed term (2 years) with scope to increase or become permanent, on-site

Xgenera is a diagnostic company developing a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test and preparing to establish a UK diagnostic service laboratory. We are looking for a hands-on Automation Engineer to help design, build, optimise and maintain the automated laboratory workflows required to deliver our MCED at commercial scale.

This is a foundational role as an individual contributor. You will be Xgenera’s internal technical owner for laboratory automation, working across molecular biology, laboratory operations, quality and external automation partners. You will help translate the current workflow from a manually integrated process into a scalable, reproducible and ISO 15189-ready automated laboratory pipeline.

Your role will be to define requirements, own the internal technical understanding, coordinate vendors, test and optimise workflows, troubleshoot systems, document processes and ensure that critical automation knowledge is retained within Xgenera

This role will work closely with external suppliers, software vendors, and technical team members to identify automation opportunities, evaluate technical architectures, and deliver scalable solutions that improve efficiency and reduce manual processes. This position offers the chance to build Xgenera’s automation capability from the ground up, with scope to become the long-term automation leader of the company

Responsibilities

• Act as Xgenera’s internal technical owner for laboratory automation
• Work with suppliers, software integrator vendors, consultants and the technical team to support the design, comparison and optimisation of automation workflows
• Optimise liquid-handling workflows, deck layouts, consumables, sample tracking and instrument interactions
• Work with Quality to ensure automation processes are ISO 15189 compliant, including traceability, data integrity, change control, deviation handling and validation evidence
• Ensure that knowledge developed by external automation partners is transferred into Xgenera and retained in-house

Essential Requirements

• 3+ years’ experience in lab automation
• Degree in life sciences, engineering, automation, biomedical science, molecular biology or a related discipline
• Demonstratable experience with liquid-handling platforms, robotic workcells, or other lab automation hardware
• Coding or scripting ability, preferably Python or similar.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-moving startup environment and an ability to be dynamic and prioritise work accordingly.

Desirable

• Experience working in an ISO 15189, ISO 13485, GxP, UKAS, CAP/CLIA or equivalent regulated environment
• Experience with RT-qPCR, molecular diagnostics, clinical testing, blood-based assays or nucleic acid workflows
• Experience with LIMS, APIs, barcode systems, and/or sample tracking.
• Experience in a startup, scale-up or small regulated company

Why work at Xgenera?

At Xgenera, you’ll be part of a team doing something truly unique and exciting: developing and bringing to market a multi-cancer early detection test with the potential to deliver huge societal benefit. As a start-up, we offer the chance to get involved in varied, meaningful work where your ideas, energy and expertise can have a real impact. You’ll join a small team of less than 10 that are ambitious, collaborative and deeply values-led, with integrity, innovation, transparency, compassion and a commitment to shaping a better future at the heart of everything we do. We care about our employees as people, and we’re building an environment where everyone can contribute, grow and be proud of the work they’re doing.

If you think you would be a good fit for this role, please send your CV, cover letter, and a 2-minute video of yourself answering the following questions to Recruitment@Xgenera.com:

1. How do you balance pragmatism and perfectionism?

2. What aspect of lab automation do you consider to be the most challenging to build or maintain and why?

3. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Pay: £50,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person