Lead Automation Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Lead Automation Engineer jobs attract strong H-1B visa sponsorship because the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a directly related engineering or computer science degree. Many employers also file PERM labor certifications for green card pathways. Australian citizens can pursue the E-3 visa, which skips the H-1B lottery entirely.
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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 284+ Lead Automation Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Lead Automation Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Lead Automation Engineer
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
Your degree must be in a directly related field, such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. A general business or unrelated STEM degree weakens the specialty occupation argument even if you've done automation work for years.
Search employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to find employers who have verified Labor Condition Application filing history for automation and controls engineering roles, so you're targeting companies already set up to sponsor rather than educating hiring managers from scratch.
Target manufacturers and defense contractors first
Aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors file disproportionately high volumes of LCAs for automation roles. These industries operate under long production cycles that make temporary labor needs easier to justify, which smooths the PERM labor certification process down the line.
Verify prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Run your offered wage against the OFLC Wage Search using the correct metro area and occupation category before signing. An offer set at Level I prevailing wage for a lead-level role can trigger a Request for Evidence from USCIS, delaying your start date.
Clarify cap-exempt status if the employer qualifies
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and certain government research organizations are exempt from the H-1B annual cap and lottery. If your automation role is at one of these employers, your petition can be filed any time of year without waiting for the next registration window.
Get your PERM documentation started early
If your employer plans to sponsor a green card after hiring you, DOL's PERM process requires a recruitment audit that typically begins six to eighteen months before filing. Ask your employer's immigration counsel to initiate the prevailing wage determination within your first year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Lead Automation Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS looks for a direct relationship between the job's duties and a specific bachelor's degree field. Lead Automation Engineer roles typically require electrical engineering, mechatronics, or computer engineering degrees, which satisfies that test. Where sponsorship gets complicated is when a job posting lists the degree as preferred rather than required, or when it accepts any engineering discipline without specifying a field, since that can undermine the specialty occupation argument during adjudication.
Which visa types are realistic for Lead Automation Engineers seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for most nationalities, though it requires winning the annual lottery. Australian citizens should strongly consider the E-3 visa, which has a 10,500 annual cap that has never been exhausted and requires no lottery. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa if the role maps cleanly to the Engineer category on the USMCA profession list. For any path, the employer must file a Labor Condition Application with DOL confirming the prevailing wage before you can proceed.
How do I find Lead Automation Engineer jobs where employers are already set up to sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship history for engineering and automation roles, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already navigated the LCA and petition process. This saves time you'd otherwise spend screening out employers who've never sponsored and aren't prepared to start.
Does my experience as a Lead Automation Engineer help if my degree isn't in a directly related field?
It can, but only in limited circumstances. USCIS allows three years of progressively responsible experience to substitute for one year of a bachelor's degree, so extensive hands-on automation and controls experience can support a petition if your degree is in a related but not identical field. However, this equivalency argument requires careful documentation, including expert opinion letters, and is more likely to draw scrutiny than a straightforward degree match. A pure business or unrelated degree is very difficult to overcome for a specialty occupation petition.
What happens to my H-1B status if my Lead Automation Engineer contract ends or I'm laid off?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new sponsoring employer, change to another valid status, or leave the country. During that window, a new employer can file a new H-1B petition on your behalf and you can begin working once USCIS receives the filing. The 60-day period is not extendable, so notifying potential employers immediately about your timeline is critical to avoiding a gap in authorized status.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Lead Automation Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.