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Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer — Biologics Engineering

AstraZeneca

Company websiteastrazeneca.com (AstraZeneca, opens in new tab)

Base salary $124K  to $171K

Employer-published annual base salary, USD. Advertised base range in Gaithersburg, MD

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  • LocationGaithersburg, MD
  • WorkplaceWorkplace not stated
  • Status at last checkSource accepting applications when checked
  • Last checked (1 h ago) · observed since

About this job

Biologics Engineering (BE), part of Oncology R&D, is transforming biologics discovery through the integration of laboratory automation, advanced informatics, and AI. We are building next-generation capabilities to accelerate workflows, improve data quality, and enable smarter scientific decision-making. This is an exciting time for the organization as we create an industry-leading biologics discovery platform that unites scientific excellence, automation, and digital innovation. 


We are seeking a Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer to help drive this transformation by embedding laboratory automation and robotics into our workflows and shaping the future of biologics discovery science. You will lead the design, integration, and optimization of robotics, high-throughput systems, and associated data workflows across the BE organization—building solutions that connect instruments, workflow control, data systems, and labware into platforms that are robust, scalable, and operationally sustainable. The successful candidate will bring a strong sense of ownership, taking responsibility for the reliability and long-term performance of our platforms.


Working in a matrix organization, you will partner closely with scientists to understand assay goals, advise on the most effective automation approaches, and translate scientific requirements into fit-for-purpose solutions. Success in this role depends on pairing strong expertise in laboratory automation, scripting, and liquid handling with a clear understanding of the underlying science and how equipment capabilities and design choices affect data quality and reproducibility. 


Typical Accountabilities 

  • Deliver robust, scalable automation platforms that integrate high-throughput, bench-scale, and related laboratory systems—partnering with scientists to document and map workflows, capture assay requirements, and translate them into fit-for-purpose automation solutions. 
  • Serve as the technical authority across multiple automation platforms, scheduling software, and scripting environments—guiding design decisions, resolving complex technical issues, and advising on how equipment capabilities and limitations shape data quality and scientific outcomes. 
  • Own the reliability and continuous improvement of shared automation systems and workflows, identifying root causes, driving durable fixes, and raising the operational performance of the platform over time. 
  • Support the ongoing operation and troubleshooting of deployed automated workflows to ensure sustained performance and rapid resolution of technical issues. 
  • Grow the technical capability of the team by training, mentoring, or supervising junior engineers and scientists, and by influencing scientific thinking and project direction across the automation community and broader stakeholder network. 

Essential Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, engineering, computer science, or a related field, with 4+ years of relevant industry experience. 
  • Experience integrating automation with R&D bench science in a biologics, drug discovery, or related life sciences setting. 
  • Deep hands-on experience with diverse laboratory automation platforms, liquid handlers, and/or high-throughput analytical technologies. Practical experience with liquid class development and labware definition, evaluation, or optimization. 
  • Expertise in automation scheduling software and advanced programming knowledge of liquid handler platforms (e.g., Hamilton, Labcyte, Agilent), including creating, modifying, and troubleshooting robotics and automation scripts. 
  • Strong understanding of the science underpinning laboratory workflows and assays, and how equipment capabilities and limitations affect automation design and data quality. 
  • Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment. 
  • Demonstrated track record of taking initiative and driving durable improvements to systems, workflows, or team practices. 

Desirable skills

  • Experience implementing automation with orchestration platforms (e.g., Green Button Go, Thermo Momentum, Cellario). 
  • Working knowledge of Python, C#, or similar languages, practical experience in database connectivity, data management, and extracting data from ASCII/delimited files to enable automation-related informatics integration and data-driven science. 
  • Track record of delivering automation solutions in a biologics discovery setting and influencing scientific direction and technical strategy in automation-related projects. 

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $124K to $171K. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Date Posted

02-Nov-2026

Closing Date

09-Nov-2026

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

Source: AstraZeneca on Workday · View original posting (opens in new tab)

Pay in context

This role's base floor ($124,000) is above 26% of the 60 Science & Research roles in Maryland listed on this site. Their median floor is $141,957; the middle half runs from $121,785 to $189,320.

Only jobs on this site count, and each one publishes a base salary of $100,000 or more, so this compares six-figure jobs with each other, not with the whole market. Computed Nov 8, 2026.

This range next to 6 other live AstraZeneca roles with the nearest advertised base floor
Chart as a table
This range next to 6 other live AstraZeneca roles with the nearest advertised base floor
RolePublished base
Senior Automation Scientist/Engineer — Biologics Engineering (this listing)$124K - $171K
Senior Computational Chemist - Oncology Targeted Discovery$124,714 - $187,070
Clinical Pharmacometrician$124,714 - $187,070
AI Research Scientist$124,714 - $187,070
Senior Manager, Franchise Communications Respiratory & Immunology$124,609 - $186,913
Senior Manager, US Digital Content & Channel ManagementFrom $124,609
Regional Category Manager, Market Research$124,609 - $186,913

Same $100K to $400K scale as every card. All AstraZeneca roles · How to read the bar

Observed changes

  1. First observed on the employer's board
  2. Began meeting the published-salary criteria
Observed since
Employer-stated posting date
2026-11-02
Where this pay comes from

Location as the employer wrote it: US - Gaithersburg - MD

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $124K to $171K. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives—an

Method
Employer text, read with fixed rules and re-verified
Checked
Rule set
us-base-v2

The pay passage appears in the employer's own job text. Fixed, deterministic rules located it, and the passage below was checked against the stored copy of the posting.

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  • The pay is an annual base salary in US dollars with a minimum of at least $100,000.
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