Principal Engineer, Assay and Data Automation

Working with Us
Challenging. Meaningful. Life-changing. Those aren’t words that are usually associated with a job. But working at Bristol Myers Squibb is anything but usual. Here, uniquely interesting work happens every day, in every department. From optimizing a production line to the latest breakthroughs in cell therapy, this is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it. You’ll get the chance to grow and thrive through opportunities uncommon in scale and scope, alongside high-achieving teams. Take your career farther than you thought possible.

Bristol Myers Squibb recognizes the importance of balance and flexibility in our work environment. We offer a wide variety of competitive benefits, services and programs that provide our employees with the resources to pursue their goals, both at work and in their personal lives. Read more: careers.bms.com/working-with-us.

Position Summary

Cell Therapy Analytical Development (CTAD) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Engineer to join the Assay and Data Automation team. This role will lead the design, development, and implementation of state-of-the-art automation solutions for a variety of analytical methods and technologies supporting cell therapy programs.

The Principal Engineer brings hands-on expertise in assay automation and possesses a strong technical background in automation design, development, and deployment within both GMP and non-GMP labs. This individual will foster effective partnerships and collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders—including CTAD functions and CTDO departments—to build analytical automation solutions to enhance sample throughput and capacity while reducing hands-on time, time-to-result, repetitive strain, and assay variability.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently design, develop and implement partial and integrated automation platforms for bio-analytical methods that are performed in GMP and non-GMP labs.
• Effectively communicate experimental results to influence program decisions and support regulatory filing strategies.
• Partner with external integration vendors to establish end-to-end integrated analytical automation platforms.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure automation designs and development meet the business goals and needs.
• Support all functions related to automation technical transfer into GMP lab, including documentation associated with requirements gathering, development, IQ, OQ, and method validation.
• Optimize automated systems, expand capabilities, and support technical investigations.
• Lead automated method qualification and operator training activities.
• Work with automation team members to support or maintain automated systems as needed.
• Develop and maintain documentation related to automated analytical methods and technologies.
• Provide technical support to end-users and stakeholders.
• Train and mentor other team members on automation technologies.
• Collaborate effectively across functional groups.

Qualifications & Experience

• BS or MS in engineering discipline with 8+ years of integrated automation experience.
• Demonstrated experience as an automation developer in automated liquid handlers associated software (e.g. Hamilton and Venus software), end-to-end assay automation workflows, and integrated automation systems.
• Proven track record in developing and implementing automated laboratory workflows and high-throughput methods within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, including systems configuration, liquid handling, and method programming.
• Experience designing, programming, operating, and troubleshooting end-to-end integrated automation systems including lab orchestration scheduler software (e.g. HighRes BioSolutions systems and Cellario platform).
• Ability to identify/understand sophisticated customer needs and develop automated solutions for laboratory workflows.
• Experience leading evaluation and implementation of new and novel technologies.
• Experience migrating bench techniques to hands-free automated systems is required.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective professional relations across all organizational levels in both GMP and non-GMP environment.
• Flexibility and eagerness to learn new techniques and skills, with the ability to interface across multiple departments.
• Possess a strong sense of urgency and ownership.
• Experience with various programming languages, such as Python, Visual Basic, C, C++, etc. is preferred.
• Experience in analytical method development is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of the regulatory requirements for bio-pharmaceutical industry and GMP compliance is preferred.

If you come across a role that intrigues you but doesn’t perfectly line up with your resume, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be one step away from work that will transform your life and career.

Seattle - WA: $144,440 - $175,028 Warren - NJ - US: $131,310 - $159,114

The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full-time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job-related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. 

Eligibility for specific benefits listed on our careers site may vary based on the job and location. For more on benefits, please visit https://careers.bms.com/life-at-bms/.

Benefit offerings are subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plans then in effect and may include the following: Medical, pharmacy, dental and vision care. Wellbeing support such as the BMS Living Life Better program and employee assistance programs (EAP). Financial well-being resources and a 401(K). Financial protection benefits such as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection and survivor support. Work-life programs include paid national holidays and optional holidays, Global Shutdown Days between Christmas and New Year’s holiday, up to 120 hours of paid vacation, up to two (2) paid days to volunteer, sick time off, and summer hours flexibility. Parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military leave. Family care services such as adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, fertility/infertility benefits, support for traveling mothers, and child, elder and pet care resources. Other perks like tuition reimbursement and a recognition program.

Uniquely Interesting Work, Life-changing Careers
With a single vision as inspiring as “Transforming patients’ lives through science™ ”, every BMS employee plays an integral role in work that goes far beyond ordinary. Each of us is empowered to apply our individual talents and unique perspectives in a supportive culture, promoting global participation in clinical trials, while our shared values of passion, innovation, urgency, accountability, inclusion and integrity bring out the highest potential of each of our colleagues.

On-site Protocol

BMS has an occupancy structure that determines where an employee is required to conduct their work. This structure includes site-essential, site-by-design, field-based and remote-by-design jobs. The occupancy type that you are assigned is determined by the nature and responsibilities of your role:

Site-essential roles require 100% of shifts onsite at your assigned facility. Site-by-design roles may be eligible for a hybrid work model with at least 50% onsite at your assigned facility. For these roles, onsite presence is considered an essential job function and is critical to collaboration, innovation, productivity, and a positive Company culture. For field-based and remote-by-design roles the ability to physically travel to visit customers, patients or business partners and to attend meetings on behalf of BMS as directed is an essential job function.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to adastaffingsupport@bms.com. Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area.

If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection.

Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.