Lab Automation Engineer (Robotics & Systems Integration)
2 - 5 years
Upland, CA
Full-time
Onsite
1 month ago
About the role
About DornaWe're building a modular robotics platform for lab automation — robotic arms, accessories, and software that snap together to automate the physical work labs do every day: sample handling, plate movement, instrument tending, and everything in between. Faster to deploy than a custom integration, more flexible than a liquid handler.
We're a small, hands-on team shipping real systems to real labs.
About the roleWe're hiring a Robotics Integration Engineer to work directly with customers — designing, building, and deploying end-to-end automation solutions on the Dorna platform. You'll turn a customer's workflow into a working system: scope the application, build and simulate it in our software, configure the cell, integrate their instruments, and be there when it runs for the first time.
This is an onsite role in Upland, California , with approximately 10% travel for customer deployments.
What you'll doYou'll deliver customer projects entirely within the Dorna platform — every solution is designed, simulated, and deployed using our software, not as a one-off custom build.
What we're looking forMust-have
Nice to have
Compensation & benefits
We're a small, hands-on team shipping real systems to real labs.
About the roleWe're hiring a Robotics Integration Engineer to work directly with customers — designing, building, and deploying end-to-end automation solutions on the Dorna platform. You'll turn a customer's workflow into a working system: scope the application, build and simulate it in our software, configure the cell, integrate their instruments, and be there when it runs for the first time.
This is an onsite role in Upland, California , with approximately 10% travel for customer deployments.
What you'll doYou'll deliver customer projects entirely within the Dorna platform — every solution is designed, simulated, and deployed using our software, not as a one-off custom build.
- Work with lab customers to understand workflows and translate them into automation requirements
- Build automation workflows in the Dorna software platform — configuring cells, accessories, and routines for each application
- Simulate and validate workflows in our software before deployment
- Deploy and commission the solution on Dorna hardware at the customer's site
- Integrate third-party lab instruments into the platform
- Extend platform functionality with Python when an application needs custom logic
- Design simple mechanical fixtures and adapters in CAD when needed
- Debug hardware, software, and integration issues in live customer environments
- Test, validate, and iterate until systems run reliably day after day
- Feed learnings back into the platform — the software you use is the software our team builds
What we're looking forMust-have
- BS in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- Hands-on CAD experience (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar)
- Strong hands-on mindset — enjoys building, testing, and solving real-world problems
- Python programming experience (automation, scripting, or hardware control)
- Basic electronics knowledge (wiring, sensors, troubleshooting)
- Comfortable in lab environments around scientific equipment
- Able to translate user workflows into technical implementations
- Strong communication skills — comfortable working directly with customers and explaining technical concepts clearly
- A team player who collaborates well across engineering, sales, and support
- Eager to learn, take feedback, and continuously improve
Nice to have
- Lab automation or life sciences workflow experience
- Exposure to robotics, automation platforms, or system integration
- Experience building prototypes, fixtures, or custom hardware
- Customer-facing or solutions engineering experience
- Startup experience
Compensation & benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Stock options — meaningful equity so you share in what we build
- Health, dental, and vision coverage
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Hands-on work with real hardware and real customers from day one
- A direct line from your work to the product — what you learn in the field shapes what we ship next
Skills
Automation Machinery Manufacturing