Research Engineer, Lab Automation
- Pay
- $200,000 – $250,000 per year
- Location
- Menlo Park, CA · On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Level
- Senior
- Education
- Doctorate
- Listed
- 31 days ago
Skills & highlights for this role
- thin film deposition
- vacuum systems
- instrument automation
- Python
Also useful
- closed-loop experimentation
- electronic lab notebooks
- LIMS
About the Role
We're building an autonomous lab to speed up materials discovery, and we need someone who understands thin film research from the inside - someone who's deposited and characterized films, troubleshot instruments, and knows what makes an experiment reproducible.
As our Research Engineer, you'll work directly with scientists to understand what they're trying to learn, then translate that into the hardware setups, instrument sequences, and engineering requirements that make it possible to automate. You'll bring hands-on experimental judgment and Python skills to connect thin-film synthesis, characterization, and data collection into reliable workflows.
What You'll Do
- Work closely with bench scientists to understand experimental goals and turn them into concrete hardware and workflow requirements.
- Evaluate, select, and configure deposition and characterization instrumentation and hardware to support thin film workflows.
- Design and prototype experimental and automation workflows that connect thin film deposition, characterization, and data collection.
- Serve as the technical bridge between scientists and the automation/software engineering team, helping define and test instrument interfaces and integration.
- Troubleshoot instrument and workflow issues that require materials domain knowledge to diagnose.
- Collaborate with AI and data scientists to capture experimental conditions and results in formats that support analysis and planning.
You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have
- PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent research experience).
- Hands-on experience in a thin-film lab, including film deposition and characterization.
- Strong working knowledge of deposition equipment and the supporting hardware, such as vacuum systems, gas handling, temperature control, and characterization.
- Ability to communicate fluently with both scientists and engineers, and to translate scientific intent into clear technical requirements.
- Comfort writing Python to interact with instruments, manipulate experimental data, and prototype automation workflows
Especially Strong Candidates May Also Have
- Prior experience working alongside automation or software engineers.
- Experience integrating or retrofitting instruments, controllers, or sensors for automated operation.
- Experience with electronic lab notebooks, LIMS, or other lab data systems.
- A track record of designing or adapting experimental protocols for higher-throughput or automated execution.
- Experience with closed-loop experimentation, using measurement results to guide subsequent experiments.
Mechanics
- Minimum education: PhD or equivalent combination of education and hands-on research experience
- Location: Menlo Park, CA
- Compensation: $200,000-$250,000 + equity
- Visa sponsorship: Yes, we sponsor visas.
About Periodic Labs
We're an AI and physical sciences company building state-of-the-art models to accelerate breakthroughs across materials, energy, and beyond. Backed by world-class investors and growing rapidly, we operate at the pace the frontier requires. Our team brings deep expertise, genuine ownership, and an insatiable drive to push the boundaries of what's scientifically possible.
From Periodic Labs's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 10, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Research Engineer, Lab Automation role at Periodic Labs?
The Research Engineer, Lab Automation posting at Periodic Labs states compensation of $200,000 – $250,000 per year. It is listed as a full-time position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Periodic Labs's official career site.
Where is the Research Engineer, Lab Automation job at Periodic Labs located?
This Research Engineer, Lab Automation position at Periodic Labs is located in Menlo Park, CA (On-site). Always check Periodic Labs's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
What qualifications are required for Research Engineer, Lab Automation at Periodic Labs?
For the Research Engineer, Lab Automation role, Periodic Labs highlights a doctorate; experience with thin film deposition, vacuum systems, instrument automation, Python. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.
How do I apply for the Research Engineer, Lab Automation position at Periodic Labs?
This listing links directly to Periodic Labs's Ashby application page. You can apply directly on Periodic Labs's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Ashby application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.