Lab Automation Project Manager

We are seeking an experienced Lab Automation Project Manager to lead the planning, implementation, and delivery of laboratory automation initiatives across a global pharmaceutical R&D organization.

This role will be responsible for managing complex, cross-functional automation programs that improve laboratory efficiency, data quality, reproducibility, throughput, and compliance. The successful candidate will partner closely with scientists, laboratory operations, automation engineers, IT, data and digital teams, quality, validation, and external technology vendors to translate scientific and business requirements into scalable automation solutions.

The ideal candidate combines strong project management capabilities with a practical understanding of modern laboratory environments, automation technologies, and pharmaceutical R&D workflows.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Program Management

• Lead end-to-end delivery of laboratory automation projects from concept and requirements definition through implementation, validation, deployment, and operational handoff.
  
• Develop project charters, scope, schedules, budgets, resource plans, risk registers, and implementation roadmaps.
  
• Establish project governance, milestones, decision points, and success criteria.
  
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while balancing priorities, dependencies, resources, and business objectives.
  
• Identify and proactively mitigate project risks, issues, and dependencies.
  
• Provide clear status reporting and executive-level communication to project sponsors and stakeholders.
  
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with agreed quality and performance requirements.
  

Laboratory Automation

• Partner with laboratory scientists and technical teams to identify opportunities for automation, workflow optimization, and digital transformation.
  
• Translate laboratory workflows and scientific requirements into functional and technical requirements for automated systems.
  
• Coordinate implementation of technologies such as liquid handlers, robotic platforms, automated sample management, analytical instrumentation, scheduling/orchestration software, and laboratory information systems.
  
• Support evaluation, selection, and integration of automation platforms and technology vendors.
  
• Coordinate system integration across laboratory equipment, robotics, software, data systems, and enterprise platforms.
  
• Promote standardized, scalable automation architectures and reusable solutions across laboratory environments.
  

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary project leader across R&D, laboratory operations, automation engineering, IT, data science, quality, validation, facilities, procurement, and external partners.
  
• Facilitate requirements workshops, design reviews, technical discussions, and project governance meetings.
  
• Build strong relationships with scientists and technical stakeholders to understand current-state workflows and future-state requirements.
  
• Drive alignment among stakeholders with competing priorities and perspectives.
  
• Coordinate internal teams and external vendors to ensure effective execution and accountability.
  

Quality, Compliance & Validation

• Ensure automation projects are executed in accordance with applicable pharmaceutical quality, safety, data integrity, and regulatory requirements.
  
• Partner with Quality and Validation teams on validation strategies, documentation, testing, change control, and system release.
  
• Incorporate appropriate GxP, data integrity, cybersecurity, and computerized-system considerations into project planning.
  
• Maintain appropriate project documentation and ensure deliverables are audit-ready.
  

Continuous Improvement

• Establish metrics to evaluate automation performance, including throughput, cycle time, utilization, error rates, quality, cost savings, and user adoption.
  
• Identify opportunities to standardize and continuously improve laboratory processes.
  
• Develop business cases and ROI analyses for new automation investments.
  
• Establish best practices for future automation deployments.
  
• Help develop and mature the organization's laboratory automation roadmap and operating model.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, computer science, operations, or a related technical discipline.
  
• 5+ years of project management experience, preferably within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or another highly regulated environment.
  
• Demonstrated experience delivering laboratory automation, laboratory technology, digital laboratory, or scientific technology projects.
  
• Strong understanding of laboratory workflows and automation technologies.
  
• Experience managing complex, cross-functional projects involving technical and scientific stakeholders.
  
• Proven ability to manage project scope, schedule, budget, risks, vendors, and executive stakeholders.
  
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and presentation skills.
  
• Experience working in environments requiring formal quality, validation, change-control, or regulatory processes.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, or equivalent project management certification.
  
• Experience with GxP environments
  
• Experience with laboratory robotics, liquid handling, automated analytical instrumentation, or high-throughput laboratory systems.
  
• Familiarity with LIMS, ELN, LES, laboratory scheduling/orchestration platforms, or scientific data systems.
  
• Experience integrating laboratory instruments and automation systems with enterprise IT platforms.
  
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Lean, Six Sigma, or hybrid project delivery methodologies.
  
• Experience managing strategic technology vendors and system integrators.
  
• Master's degree in a relevant scientific or technical discipline.