Automation Engineer Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Company Overview: Hamilton Storage provides automation solutions to customers in life science and clinical research. The company develops modular, scalable systems that automate sample storage, management, and processing. Hamilton provides all the benefits of advanced automation without the complexity associated with installing, operating, and maintaining large-scale custom systems.

Acquired in 2007, Hamilton Storage is headquartered in Franklin, Massachusetts, USA with R&D facilities co-existing in both Franklin, MA and Bonaduz, Switzerland. The decentralized R&D organization benefits both production and marketing and allows Hamilton to stay close to the local markets and respond quickly to market needs. Responsibilities:

The Automation Consultant Engineer – Storage (ACES) is a client-facing technical sales consultant and the solution design and workflow optimization expert within the Hamilton Storage commercial organization. Partnering closely with Storage Sales Managers, the ACES translates complex laboratory and biobank workflows into elegant, right-sized Hamilton Storage solutions and builds the technical and business case that advances opportunities to close.

This is a pre-sales and workflow-optimization role—not an implementation or service-delivery role. The ACES designs and sells the solution; installation, commissioning, project execution, and ongoing service are owned by the Service and Project Management teams. The ACES engages before the sale through discovery, solution design, ROI modeling, demonstrations, and RFP response, and after go-live only for consultative workflow optimization that drives expansion and customer advocacy—with no responsibility for service tickets, project delivery, or system commissioning.

Trained in LEAN Six Sigma, the ACES applies continuous-improvement principles to help customers achieve measurable gains in throughput, quality, and operational efficiency. Reporting initially to the VP of Sales and Marketing (subject to organizational change), this role is ideal for a technically rigorous, customer-centric professional who thrives on solving complex problems and building long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct on-site and virtual workflow discovery sessions to map current-state laboratory and biobank processes, including sample throughput, storage requirements, and integration points.
• Apply LEAN Six Sigma principles and structured process mapping to identify inefficiencies, risk points, and automation opportunities within customer workflows.
• Facilitate solution-design workshops with customer stakeholders to define requirements and align on a recommended Hamilton Storage solution architecture.
• Produce current- and future-state workflow maps and process diagrams using Visio, CAD, or equivalent tools to guide solution configuration.
• Build customer-specific ROI and total-cost-of-ownership models in Excel that quantify the operational and financial value of Hamilton Storage automation.
• Develop and deliver compelling, audience-tailored presentations that communicate solution value and technical differentiation to both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with Storage Sales Managers as the dedicated technical resource across the pre-sales cycle, from opportunity qualification through contract close.
• Configure and present Hamilton Storage system options, ensuring proposed solutions are technically accurate, commercially viable, and optimally suited to customer needs.
• Lead product and system demonstrations at customer sites and the Hamilton Storage demo facility, differentiating Hamilton Storage from competitive alternatives.
• Respond to RFPs and RFIs with technically precise, differentiated content, and equip the sales team with competitive positioning and objection-handling tools.
• Maintain deep, current knowledge of the full Hamilton Storage portfolio—hardware, software, consumables, and informatics—including integration with customer LIMS, LIS, and ERP systems.
• Provide post-installation workflow optimization through consultative assessment and continuous-improvement recommendations that unlock value and drive expansion, while installation, commissioning, and ongoing service remain with the Service and Project Management teams.
• Share customer-facing technical insights with Product Management to inform roadmap priorities, and contribute to sales enablement tools, application notes, and configuration resources.
• Represent Hamilton Storage at trade shows, customer events, and technical seminars, and support the development of demo environments.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Experience in technical consulting, pre-sales engineering, or applications engineering role within laboratory automation, life sciences, or a related technical field.
• LEAN Six Sigma training or certification (Green Belt or higher preferred), with demonstrated application of process-improvement methodology.
• Proficiency in workflow mapping and diagramming tools (Microsoft Visio, AutoCAD, or equivalent) and advanced Microsoft Excel for building ROI and TCO models.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex customer problems into structured solutions for both technical and executive audiences.
• Strong organizational and project-coordination skills to manage multiple concurrent customer engagements with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of laboratory informatics (LIMS, LIS, or sample-management integration) and familiarity with automated cold storage, biobanking, or sample-management platforms is a strong plus.
• Strong written communication skills, with experience contributing to RFP responses and technical proposals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with HubSpot (the company CRM) or comparable CRM platforms.
• Ability to work independently in a field-based environment while remaining highly collaborative and responsive to team needs.
• Availability to travel regionally and nationally, with travel expected at 40–60% of time.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required in Engineering, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• 3+ years of experience in technical consulting, pre-sales engineering, applications engineering, or a comparable customer-facing technical role.
• LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt or higher preferred; candidates with equivalent documented process-improvement experience will be considered.

About Hamilton:

• The base salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 per annum. The final salary offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s relevant experience, specialized skills, professional qualifications, and internal equity.
• Opportunity to help define a strategic new role within the Hamilton Storage commercial organization
• Tremendous opportunities for professional growth
• Competitive Compensation
• Excellent Benefit Package (medical, dental, vision, paid time off, disability insurance and much more)
• Solid, stable company with a global presence and strong growth trajectory
• Drug free workplace