H-1B Visa Lead Automation Engineer Jobs
Lead Automation Engineer jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship sit squarely in specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application with DOL and an I-129 petition with USCIS, granting status for up to three years with extensions to six.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
A healthier future. It's what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That's what makes us Roche.
Advances in AI, data, robotics, and laboratory automation are transforming drug discovery and development. The Roche Autonomous Lab Accelerator brings together gRED, pRED, PT, and the Computational Sciences Center of Excellence (CS CoE) to build closed-loop Lab-in-the-Loop capabilities that connect scientific intent, digital design, experimental execution, and high-quality data generation.
THE OPPORTUNITY
You are the technical lead for Lab Automation within Automation Science & Technology and the owner of the physical platform architecture for the Roche Autonomous Lab Accelerator. This role reports to the Head, Automation Science & Technology, Autonomous Lab Accelerator.
Working closely with Science & Technology Project Leaders, scientific SMEs, Lab Operations, and Lab Automation Informatics partners, you translate defined scientific workflow requirements into executable laboratory processes and scalable physical automation platforms. The individual in this role would own how scientific requirements are technically realized through robotics, instrumentation, instrument-control software, execution-layer interfaces, and integrated laboratory systems. You also partner with Lab Operations from design through operational acceptance so new capabilities are engineered for autonomous, reliable, and supportable routine use.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Physical Platform Architecture: Own the end-to-end architecture of the physical execution platform, from instruments and robotic work cells to integrated, increasingly unattended laboratory systems. Serve as the technical design authority for robotics, scientific instrumentation, instrument-control software, execution-layer interfaces, and reusable platform patterns.
-
Scientific Workflow Translation & Execution Design: Partner with Science & Technology Project Leaders and scientific SMEs to convert defined scientific requirements and acceptance criteria into automatable unit operations, equipment requirements, sample and material flows, execution sequences, control points, and exception states. Identify technical constraints and recommend workflow adaptations required for robust automated execution.
-
AI-to-Execution & Data Interfaces: Partner with CS CoE to define the boundary between digital orchestration and physical execution: how digitally specified experiments become machine-executable actions and how instrument outputs, system state, sample identity, metadata, and execution context return to downstream systems. Own the physical-platform interface and device requirements while CS CoE owns the corresponding higher-level AI, informatics, and orchestration capabilities.
-
Build, Commission & Technical Verification: Lead technical selection, integration, commissioning, and verification of robotics, liquid handlers, scientific instruments, schedulers, and control layers. Demonstrate that new platforms satisfy defined technical and scientific requirements before they progress to operational acceptance.
-
Autonomy, Operability & Operational Handoff: Engineer the capabilities required for unattended execution, including state awareness, observability, exception detection, automated recovery, safe-stop behavior, and appropriate human escalation. Design for maintainability and serviceability, jointly define operational-readiness criteria with Lab Operations, and support formal acceptance into routine operations. After acceptance, remain the technical design authority for material architecture changes, new capabilities, and systemic technical limitations; Lab Operations owns routine execution, monitoring, maintenance, incident response, and established recovery procedures.
-
Technical Leadership & Reuse: Lead complex technical problem solving, architecture and design reviews, and the development of reusable engineering standards. Mentor engineers and direct contractors, vendors, and system integrators while communicating technical tradeoffs clearly across science, software, automation, facilities, and operations.
KEY DELIVERABLES
-
Physical Platform Reference Architecture: A scalable architecture for the Accelerator physical execution layer and clearly defined interfaces with CS CoE systems.
-
Integrated Autonomous Capabilities: Priority laboratory automation platforms delivered from defined scientific requirements through commissioning, technical verification, and scientific acceptance.
-
Reusable Engineering Standards: Common patterns for instrument and robotic integration, execution state, data capture, observability, error handling, recovery, and deployment across the organization.
-
Operational Readiness & Transfer: Joint readiness criteria and handoff packages that enable Lab Operations to formally accept new systems into reliable routine use, with clear post-deployment ownership for operations versus engineering changes.
WHO YOU ARE
-
Education & Experience: Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, life sciences, or a related discipline, with significant experience in laboratory automation and systems integration.
-
Automation & Systems Expertise: Deep experience designing, programming, integrating, and deploying laboratory automation platforms such as Hamilton, Tecan, Agilent, HighRes, Opentrons, robotic arms, schedulers, or comparable technologies.
-
Software & Integration Fluency: Strong Python and API-integration skills, with experience connecting instruments to schedulers, databases, message brokers, LIMS/ELN, or other scientific software systems.
-
End-to-End Delivery: Demonstrated ownership of greenfield automation platforms from architecture and vendor selection through commissioning and production deployment, with strong systems thinking across hardware, software, data, science, and reliability.
-
Technical Leadership: Proven ability to lead through technical authority, mentor engineers, and create reusable solutions in ambiguous, cross-functional environments while remaining hands-on when needed.
Relocation benefits are not available for this opportunity.
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of San Francisco is $169,100 - 314,100 of hiring range. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
BENEFITS
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
INTRODUCTION
A healthier future. It's what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That's what makes us Roche.
Advances in AI, data, robotics, and laboratory automation are transforming drug discovery and development. The Roche Autonomous Lab Accelerator brings together gRED, pRED, PT, and the Computational Sciences Center of Excellence (CS CoE) to build closed-loop Lab-in-the-Loop capabilities that connect scientific intent, digital design, experimental execution, and high-quality data generation.
THE OPPORTUNITY
You are the technical lead for Lab Automation within Automation Science & Technology and the owner of the physical platform architecture for the Roche Autonomous Lab Accelerator. This role reports to the Head, Automation Science & Technology, Autonomous Lab Accelerator.
Working closely with Science & Technology Project Leaders, scientific SMEs, Lab Operations, and Lab Automation Informatics partners, you translate defined scientific workflow requirements into executable laboratory processes and scalable physical automation platforms. The individual in this role would own how scientific requirements are technically realized through robotics, instrumentation, instrument-control software, execution-layer interfaces, and integrated laboratory systems. You also partner with Lab Operations from design through operational acceptance so new capabilities are engineered for autonomous, reliable, and supportable routine use.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
-
Physical Platform Architecture: Own the end-to-end architecture of the physical execution platform, from instruments and robotic work cells to integrated, increasingly unattended laboratory systems. Serve as the technical design authority for robotics, scientific instrumentation, instrument-control software, execution-layer interfaces, and reusable platform patterns.
-
Scientific Workflow Translation & Execution Design: Partner with Science & Technology Project Leaders and scientific SMEs to convert defined scientific requirements and acceptance criteria into automatable unit operations, equipment requirements, sample and material flows, execution sequences, control points, and exception states. Identify technical constraints and recommend workflow adaptations required for robust automated execution.
-
AI-to-Execution & Data Interfaces: Partner with CS CoE to define the boundary between digital orchestration and physical execution: how digitally specified experiments become machine-executable actions and how instrument outputs, system state, sample identity, metadata, and execution context return to downstream systems. Own the physical-platform interface and device requirements while CS CoE owns the corresponding higher-level AI, informatics, and orchestration capabilities.
-
Build, Commission & Technical Verification: Lead technical selection, integration, commissioning, and verification of robotics, liquid handlers, scientific instruments, schedulers, and control layers. Demonstrate that new platforms satisfy defined technical and scientific requirements before they progress to operational acceptance.
-
Autonomy, Operability & Operational Handoff: Engineer the capabilities required for unattended execution, including state awareness, observability, exception detection, automated recovery, safe-stop behavior, and appropriate human escalation. Design for maintainability and serviceability, jointly define operational-readiness criteria with Lab Operations, and support formal acceptance into routine operations. After acceptance, remain the technical design authority for material architecture changes, new capabilities, and systemic technical limitations; Lab Operations owns routine execution, monitoring, maintenance, incident response, and established recovery procedures.
-
Technical Leadership & Reuse: Lead complex technical problem solving, architecture and design reviews, and the development of reusable engineering standards. Mentor engineers and direct contractors, vendors, and system integrators while communicating technical tradeoffs clearly across science, software, automation, facilities, and operations.
KEY DELIVERABLES
-
Physical Platform Reference Architecture: A scalable architecture for the Accelerator physical execution layer and clearly defined interfaces with CS CoE systems.
-
Integrated Autonomous Capabilities: Priority laboratory automation platforms delivered from defined scientific requirements through commissioning, technical verification, and scientific acceptance.
-
Reusable Engineering Standards: Common patterns for instrument and robotic integration, execution state, data capture, observability, error handling, recovery, and deployment across the organization.
-
Operational Readiness & Transfer: Joint readiness criteria and handoff packages that enable Lab Operations to formally accept new systems into reliable routine use, with clear post-deployment ownership for operations versus engineering changes.
WHO YOU ARE
-
Education & Experience: Bachelor's or advanced degree in engineering, computer science, life sciences, or a related discipline, with significant experience in laboratory automation and systems integration.
-
Automation & Systems Expertise: Deep experience designing, programming, integrating, and deploying laboratory automation platforms such as Hamilton, Tecan, Agilent, HighRes, Opentrons, robotic arms, schedulers, or comparable technologies.
-
Software & Integration Fluency: Strong Python and API-integration skills, with experience connecting instruments to schedulers, databases, message brokers, LIMS/ELN, or other scientific software systems.
-
End-to-End Delivery: Demonstrated ownership of greenfield automation platforms from architecture and vendor selection through commissioning and production deployment, with strong systems thinking across hardware, software, data, science, and reliability.
-
Technical Leadership: Proven ability to lead through technical authority, mentor engineers, and create reusable solutions in ambiguous, cross-functional environments while remaining hands-on when needed.
Relocation benefits are not available for this opportunity.
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of San Francisco is $169,100 - 314,100 of hiring range. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
BENEFITS
Genentech is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants.
See all 240+ H-1B Visa Lead Automation Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Lead Automation Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Lead Automation Engineer
Map your degree to automation engineering
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to the role's duties. Pull your O*NET profile for Lead Automation Engineer and confirm your transcript reflects core disciplines like control systems, robotics, or mechatronics before applying.
Verify worksite LCA coverage before accepting
Each physical worksite requires its own certified LCA. If the role involves client sites or multiple facilities, confirm your employer has filed separate LCAs for every location where you'll work, not just headquarters.
Target manufacturers with active H-1B LCA histories
Use Migrate Mate to browse Lead Automation Engineer roles filtered by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history, so you're only spending time on companies already set up to sponsor rather than educating employers from scratch.
Benchmark prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Your employer's LCA must certify wages at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and worksite location. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your specific metro area before you counter, so your ask lands above the floor the employer is legally required to meet.
Get your credentials evaluated if your degree is foreign
If your engineering degree was awarded outside the U.S., obtain a credential evaluation from a NACES-member service before USCIS adjudicates your petition. Automation engineering roles draw RFEs when degree equivalency isn't documented upfront.
Account for premium processing in your start-date timeline
Standard USCIS adjudication can run several months, which creates misalignment between your offer letter start date and your authorized start date. Discuss premium processing with your employer early so the petition schedule matches your project onboarding window.
H-1B Visa Lead Automation Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Automation Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Lead Automation Engineer roles typically qualify because they require at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, or a directly related field. The position involves designing control systems, programming PLCs, and overseeing automated processes, all of which map to specialized academic training USCIS recognizes. Your employer documents this connection in the I-129 petition.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for automation engineers?
Manufacturers in automotive, semiconductor, pharmaceuticals, and food processing are among the most active H-1B sponsors for automation roles. System integrators and industrial equipment companies also file regularly. Browse Migrate Mate to find Lead Automation Engineer openings specifically at employers with verified H-1B LCA filing histories, which removes the guesswork of cold outreach.
What happens if my Lead Automation Engineer job requires travel to multiple client sites?
Every worksite where you perform H-1B work for more than a short period needs its own certified LCA. Your employer must file separate LCAs for each distinct location and post the required notices at each site. If your role routinely moves between facilities, confirm your employer's LCA coverage matches your actual work locations before you start.
How long does H-1B status last for an automation engineer, and can it be extended?
H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years. Extensions beyond six years are possible only if your employer has filed a PERM labor certification or an I-140 immigrant petition meeting specific time thresholds. Plan your green card timeline with your employer early if you want to stay beyond the six-year cap.
What documentation should I gather before my employer files my H-1B petition?
Collect your original degree transcripts and diploma, any credential evaluation if your degree is foreign, your resume detailing automation-specific duties, and professional licenses or certifications relevant to your state. Your employer will use these to build the specialty occupation argument in the I-129 petition. Gaps in documentation are a leading cause of Requests for Evidence from USCIS for engineering roles.