Engineer I, Research Operations, (1st shift)

Your Impact at LILA

What You'll Be Building

• Execute high-throughput automated and manual workflows, including electroporation, lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dosing, and chemical transfection.
• Maintain and passage mammalian cell lines and primary cells using aseptic technique, including cell counting and viability assessment.
• Prepare workflow materials and operate automated liquid handlers, electroporation instruments, and related laboratory equipment.
• Perform downstream characterization using flow cytometry, plate reader-based assays, or imaging-based methods.
• Monitor cell health, workflow performance, and quality-control results; troubleshoot issues and escalate as needed.
• Maintain traceable records, provide clear handoffs, and partner with scientists and engineers to improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and workflows.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Bioengineering, or a related scientific or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant Co-Op and industry laboratory experience.
• Hands-on mammalian cell culture experience, including aseptic technique, routine maintenance, passaging, cell counting, and viability assessment.
• Experience with mammalian cell transfection methods, including chemical transfection, electroporation, or related delivery technologies.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow SOPs and technical instructions while maintaining accurate, complete, and traceable documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including recognizing deviations, performing initial troubleshooting, and escalating appropriately.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and execute reliably in a fast-paced, high-throughput laboratory environment.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to provide clear status updates and work effectively across teams.
• Ability to work on-site during first shift, with scheduled hours of either 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM based on operational needs.

Bonus Points For

• Experience operating electroporation platforms, such as the Lonza Nucleofector or similar systems.
• Experience with LNP dosing or LNP-mediated delivery to mammalian cells.
• Experience handling primary human cells, such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), T cells, or stem cells.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry, including sample preparation, instrument operation, or data analysis.
• Experience with plate reader-based or imaging-based cellular assays.
• Experience operating automated liquid handlers and associated software.
• Experience working in a high-throughput screening or production-oriented laboratory environment.