426621 Automation Engineer, Automation Platforms

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is searching for experienced and technically adept Automation Engineer to join our new RTech Automation team within Data, Automation & Predictive Sciences (DAPS) in our Research Technologies (RTech) division. RTech Automation will spearhead the integration of automation technologies into our scientific workflows to deliver biology and data at scale. A critical component of RTech's vision as a technology-driven leader in target discovery and molecule design is the establishment of an integrated design-generate-analyze-model-predict cycle within DAPS, supported by this centralized Automation/Engineering team. This team will transform RTech by deploying cutting-edge lab automation and robotics at global sites, serving as a center for expertise and support to align strategies and maximize automation investments.

The successful candidate will join a team including automation engineers, application specialists and IT specialists. The team will be responsible for the optimization, management, and support of comprehensive automation platforms critical to our operations. This role requires an individual with expertise in technical automation systems, ideally both integrated platforms and standalone devices. The ideal candidate will have extensive expertise in laboratory automation, and a proven record of successfully leveraging automation solutions to impact scientific objectives. They will forge robust partnerships, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and play a vital role in driving the success of automation technologies. The overarching goal of the team is to leverage automation to enhance our operational efficiency, improve scientists’ lab experience, support research processes, and further our commitment to delivering advanced therapies.

This role will report to RTech Automation Platforms Lead, UK and will play a role in shaping our vision and strategy in automating drug discovery workflows, while also providing technical expertise.

We create a place where people can grow, be their best, be safe, and feel welcome, valued and included. We offer a competitive salary, an annual bonus based on company performance, healthcare and wellbeing programmes, pension plan membership, and shares and savings programme.

We embrace modern work practises; our Performance with Choice programme offers a hybrid working model, empowering you to find the optimal balance between remote and in-office work.

Discover more about our company wide benefits and life at GSK on our webpage Life at GSK | GSK

In this role you will

Engineering Expertise and Collaboration

Apply engineering expertise to support and optimize automation operations, including system testing, method development, and simple instrument programming and scripting.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including automation scientists, lab scientists, IT, and engineering, to deliver reliable and impactful automation solutions that align with research objectives.
Support the integration of automation into scientific workflows by providing practical engineering solutions to meet performance requirements and enable innovation.

Automation Platform Support and Maintenance

Proactively monitor automation platforms using diagnostic tools to anticipate and resolve issues before they impact operations.
Develop and implement proactive maintenance regimes for key equipment, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and longevity.
Continuously evaluate platform performance, identifying areas for optimization and implementing enhancements to improve efficiency and throughput.
Maintain comprehensive documentation for platform implementation, operational procedures, and maintenance protocols to ensure consistent and reliable system operation.
Serve as a 'first-responder' for critical equipment breakdowns, ensuring minimal disruption to scientific activities through efficient troubleshooting and repair.

Reliability, Safety, and Standards Compliance

Support the design, operation, and maintenance of automation platforms to ensure reliability, scalability, and security, adhering to industry standards and local safety requirements.
Participate in engineering efforts to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and safety protocols, contributing to a secure and sustainable automation environment.
Establish and uphold rigorous maintenance schedules, prioritizing safety and operational continuity.

Strategic Vision and Technology Integration

Contribute to the strategic vision for the evolution of automation platforms within Research Technology (RTech), aligning with GSK’s digital transformation goals.
Stay informed of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices, ensuring the integration of advancements into GSK's automation strategy.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure the adoption of innovative solutions and maintain strong relationships with service providers.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications & Skills:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, OR professional accreditation/vocational qualification (NVQ, HND, etc) in a relevant area with commensurate professional experience
Experience with integrated automation systems (such as HighResBio, Thermo, Biosero etc), scheduling software (such as Momentum, Cellario, and GreenButtonGo), APIs, middleware, and data exchange protocols.
Significant and varied hands-on experience in automation platform operations and equipment, workflow automation, maintenance, or programming.
Proven expertise with advanced automation platforms in a research or laboratory environment.
Knowledge of technical systems, including robotics, high-throughput screening, and data management systems.
Strong collaboration and innovation skillset.
Analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly address and resolve technical challenges.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to a diverse set of stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

Please note the following skills are not necessary, just preferred, if you do not have them, please still apply:

Understanding of liquid handling platforms (such as Tecan, Hamilton etc)
Knowledge of safety requirements and industry standards related to automation in pharmaceutical research.
Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
Project management experience and ability to carry out multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, R, C#, or Java, and experience scripting for automation.
Experience with cloud computing platforms and services (e.g. GCP, AWS, Azure).
Strong analytical skills and experience with data visualization tools.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Closing Date for Applications – 2nd of September, 2025 (COB)

Please take a copy of the Job Description, as this will not be available post closure of the advert.

When applying for this role, please use the ‘cover letter’ of the online application or your CV to describe how you meet the competencies for this role, as outlined in the job requirements above. The information that you have provided in your cover letter and CV will be used to assess your application.

At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.

Find out more:

Our approach to R&D.   

Why GSK?
Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), military service or any basis prohibited under federal, state or local law.

We believe in an agile working culture for all our roles. If flexibility is important to you, we encourage you to explore with our hiring team what the opportunities are.

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