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Automation Engineer I, R&D

Abbott · WI · $50,700–$101,300 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked with R&D scientists, operations and IT on one project.

What they are checking: Whether they can work in the cross-functional team the posting describes.

Describe a time a piece of equipment failed during a run. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they troubleshoot calmly and learn from failures.

What would you do

An automated method gives slightly different results than the manual one. How would you investigate?

What they are checking: Whether they consider pipetting, timing and carryover systematically before changing the method.

A scientist wants a custom feature that would delay the project. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they weigh scope against timeline and help stakeholders decide together.

About the work

This team builds lab automation for pre-analytical processing, immunoassay and NGS assays. What automation platforms have you worked with?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience with liquid handlers or similar lab robotics.

Walk me through how you would automate a manual sample processing step.

What they are checking: Whether they study the manual process first and design for errors and edge cases.

How do you write automation scripts so others can maintain them?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear, documented, version-controlled code rather than one-off scripts.

How would you test an automated method to show it is robust?

What they are checking: Whether they think about variability, worst cases and enough runs to trust the method.

Why does automation need validation in a clinical lab setting?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that patient results depend on the automated process working the same every time.

What programming languages have you used for automation or data handling?

What they are checking: Whether they have coding skills that fit an entry-level automation engineer.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: • Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. • An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution. • A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. • A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. Position Overview The Automation Engineer I will join a highly collaborative, cross-functional team including Systems Development, R&D, Operations and IT to develop and deploy robust laboratory automation solutions for pre-analytical sample processing, Immunoassay , and Next-Generation Sequencing based assays in support of high complexity medical devices .  This role requires experience working on a collaborative, fast-paced team to build scalable, highly integrated automation platforms which enable users to reliably and efficiently deliver timely, high-quality results that directly impact patients’ lives in a n FDA regulated environment. This role requires employing engineering concepts across many disciplines (software, mechanical, electrical, biomedical, etc.) to solve problems within complex systems. Essential Duties include but are not limited to the following: • Develop automated laboratory solutions through programming of liquid handling robotics platforms to meet the requirements of existing assay workflows , in an FDA regulated medical device environment . • Participate in all aspects of the software development lifecycle. • Work with cross-functional teams to understand laboratory processes and procedures and translate into user needs and software requirements. • Develop robust automated liquid handler methods for scalable and high throughput use that integrate with larger software systems for data management and sample tracking. • Iteratively develop and improve software based on feedback from experimental data and user feedback. • Maintain and improve the performance of existing software. • Troubleshoot issues across electrical, mechanical, and software systems to perform root cause analysis and issue resolution. • Review and debug complex software. • Design experiments studying impact of software controls on mechanical systems. • Use good documentation practices to write test protocols, execute experiments according to protocols, write test reports, and manage deviations. • Write technical documents under formal design controls for medical devices with team input, including but not limited to software requirements and software design descriptions. • Ability to establish high level of credibility and maintain effective relationships and strong open communication with employee, managers, and customers. • Ability to meet critical deadlines and successfully facilitate constructive engagements. • Ability to integrate and apply feedback in a professional manner. • Ability to prioritize and drive to results with a high emphasis on quality. • Ability to work with moderate supervision and take ownership of assigned projects. • Ability to follow and optimize processes. • Ability to work as part of a team. • Strong interpersonal skills, detail oriented, with strong organization and time management skills. • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork. • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures. • Maintain regular and reliable attendance. • Ability to act with an inclusion mindset and model these behaviors for the organization. • Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day. • Ability to travel 5% of working time away from work location, may include overnight/weekend travel. Minimum Qualifications: • B.S. in Life Sciences, Engineering, or field as outlined in the essential duties. • 1+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.). Experience with Hamilton liquid handlers is desired. • High attention to detail and proven ability to effectively communicate across teams located at multiple sites. • Optimistic and innovative; solution oriented. • Proven ability to troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with a team of scientists. • Experience working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and demands. • Values, communicates, and interacts with others with high levels of transparency and respect. • Familiarity with Next-Generation sequencing and/or common molecular biology laboratory workflows. • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, such as: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, and Publisher. • Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. Preferred Qualifications: • M.S. degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or field as outlined in the essential duties. • 2+ years of experience working with automated liquid handlers and associated software in a regulated environment (FDA, CLIA, CAP, ISO, etc.). • Experience with Hamilton liquid handlers is desired. • Knowledge of the software development lifecycle for a medical device. • Strong technical writing skills. • New grads welcome to apply. The base pay for this position is $50,700.00 – $101,300.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Engineering DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 5505 Endeavor Ln ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Keyboard use (greater or equal to 50% of the workday), Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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