Principal Robotics Engineer - Advanced Automation & Systems Integration - Vivodyne : Job Details

Human data before the clinic Vivodyne accelerates the successful discovery, design, and development of human therapeutics through the convergence of novel biology, robotics, and AI. Our platform enables customers to massively de-risk drug candidates by testing them against functional, lab-grown, human organs and multi-organ systems. We conduct preclinical discovery and clinical development campaigns to generate new therapeutics and clinical strategies from these proprietary, physiologically-realistic human organ tissues at unprecedented scale, speed, and quality through automation and machine learning. We're financially backed by some of the most selective and successful venture funds, and several top 10 global pharmaceutical innovators have already partnered with us to strengthen and speed their therapeutic pipelines. To learn more visit us at www.vivodyne.com. Role As a Principal Robotics Engineer at Vivodyne, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team pushing the boundaries of automated, large-scale organ-on-a-chip robotics and related manufacturing systems. Your focus will be on developing and optimizing hardware and software that orchestrates robotic arms, embedded controllers, and microfluidic systems to enable high-throughput, high-precision biological workflows. This role requires expertise across hardware and software, from high-level motion control and machine vision to robotics programming and embedded firmware. You'll work extensively with existing Python (less so with, C#, and C++) codebases, ensuring seamless system integration and performance. Collaboration is key-you'll engage with mechanical engineers, biologists, immunologists, AI scientists, and process engineers to design and refine automation workflows that drive breakthroughs. We're looking for a problem solver who is comfortable working across multiple domains, thriving in a fast-paced, high-innovation environment that values continuous learning and technical excellence. This is a full-time, onsite role in San Francisco, where you'll be designing, building, and testing some of the most advanced automation and high-throughput biology systems in the world. Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and implement advanced automation systems, ranging from automated microfluidic manufacturing to high-precision mammalian cell culture platforms-all of which are mission-critical and highly visible both internally and externally.
• Develop hardware and software systems that acquire and process data reliably, ensuring smooth handoffs to production through rigorous documentation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Embrace the dynamic nature of a rapidly growing startup, working across multiple projects and disciplines-one month, you might be programming a 6DOF robotic arm repeatability to within tens of microns; the next, you could be developing firmware for a custom microfluidics cell expansion module.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product leads, tissue engineers, microfluidics specialists, and AI researchers etc. to gather requirements, set technical objectives, and integrate new features into our robotics platforms.
• Design and implement resilience mechanisms to ensure system robustness, enabling fault detection, fault recovery, and minimal downtime, while maintaining data integrity.
• Proactively identify optimization opportunities, selecting priorities through engineering analysis and data-driven decision-making.
• Communicate progress and findings to internal stakeholders-including mechanical engineers, data scientists, and senior leadership-through data-laden presentations and technical reports.

Requirements, Expectations and QualificationsTechnical Expertise

• Bachelor's degree (M.S./Ph.D. preferred) in Bioengineering, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering with 10 + years of relevant experience.
• Extensive experience in hardware/software design for automation, including production-level workflows.
• Proficient in SolidWorks (CAM experience a plus), Python, and a systems or embedded language (C#/C++ preferred).
• Strong understanding of process engineering and automation principles.
• Hands-on expertise with automation hardware (vision systems, motion control, liquid handling, pick-and-place robotics).
• Knowledge of manufacturing technologies, microfluidics, and lab automation.
• Preferred experience in biotech, semiconductor robotics, or tissue engineering.
• Bonus: Familiarity with ROS, MoveIt, RViz, Gazebo, and real-time control for industrial robots (e.g., Kuka arms).

Problem Solving & Ownership

• Outcome-driven, translating technical challenges into reliable automation solutions.
• Strong ownership mentality, ensuring timely, high-quality feature delivery.
• Continuously optimizes and innovates robotic operations.

Collaboration & Communication

• Works effectively with engineers, scientists, and external stakeholders.
• Clearly explains robotics concepts across disciplines.
• Integrates feedback to refine and improve designs.

Innovation & Leadership

• Stays at the forefront of robotics, introducing new technologies and best practices.
• Proactively develops novel solutions in motion planning, sensing, and automation.

If you're excited about revolutionizing automation in organoid engineering and biotech-while pushing the boundaries of robotics, AI, and advanced systems-let's connect! Please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest. We look forward to exploring the opportunity together. San Francisco pay range $245,000-$270,000 USD