Automation Engineer

Job Summary

Are you passionate about advancing scientific discovery through laboratory automation and innovative technologies?

IFF is a global leader in enzymes, ingredients, health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets.

The role is based in Palo Alto, California (on-site role). Be part of an innovative, collaborative, and solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

Where You'll Make a Difference

• Partner with Research & Development scientists to identify automation opportunities and implement high-throughput and automated laboratory solutions.
• Design, build, optimize, and scale automated laboratory workflows that improve efficiency, quality, and scientific outcomes.
• Translate molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical workflows into automated protocols and robust laboratory processes.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, instruments, and automation platforms to support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Leverage data and scientific insights to identify process improvements and enhance data quality and metadata capture.
• Provide technical support for laboratory automation hardware and software, coordinating maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with data science, Information Technology, and facility teams to strengthen data management capabilities.
• Support laboratory operations and infrastructure to ensure efficient execution of research activities.
• Partner with global teams to support technology transfers and promote best practices across research sites.

What Makes You the Right Fit

• Master's degree or higher in Life Sciences, Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in laboratory automation.
• Designed, developed, and maintained low-level control software and device integrations for laboratory instruments or robotic devices.
• Demonstrated expertise translating wet-lab biologics workflows into automated solutions, with experience in building, programming and orchestrating integrated laboratory systems, and operating automated liquid-handling, sample-handling, and laboratory robotics.
• Experience supporting high-throughput screening workflows.
• Programming experience with Python or similar languages.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

How Would You Stand Out?

• Experience evaluating and implementing emerging laboratory automation technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to translate laboratory workflows into automation concepts, collaborate with vendors, completed factory and site acceptance testing, and successfully implement the system in the laboratory
• Low level programming of laboratory instruments or robotics devices
• Knowledge of laboratory data management systems and scientific data infrastructure.
• Adaptable, proactive, and continuously focused on learning and process improvement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to help solve and innovate the technical processes and advancements in automating laboratory tools.

Why Choose Us?

• Competitive Benefits (US): Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), vacation, holidays, 16 weeks paid parental leave (maternity and paternity), and an annual bonus plan. IFF was also recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Perks & Benefits.
• Diversity & Inclusion (US): IFF has been recognized previously in the US on the Disability Equality Index® - Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
• Innovation: Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and trailblazing advancements in biotechnology. Meaningful work helping advance solutions for protein & strain engineering, biochemistry and related technologies.
• Global Collaboration: Be part of a global organization that values innovation, creativity, and collaborating amongst our diverse, cross-functional teams
• Sustainability: Contribute to solutions that support a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. IFF was recognized on the Forbes Net Zero Leaders 2026 list within the chemicals/materials sector.

Pay and benefits

$130,000-$150,000 base salary

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to

Salary Ranges

100,436.00 - 143,480.00 USD