At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and operate cutting-edge platforms that empower scientists worldwide.
- Company: Join Automata, a pioneering tech company transforming life sciences through automation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in science and medicine while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in platform engineering with strong Kubernetes and cloud experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Automata, we're on a mission to transform how scientists work by making automation accessible to every lab in the world. We believe that by giving labs the power to automate, we can unlock discoveries that will shape the future of life sciences—from diagnostics and drug discovery to synthetic biology. But we’re more than just a company disrupting the industry—we're a team of innovators, problem-solvers, and creators passionate about empowering scientists. Our LINQ platform combines hardware and software to streamline workflows, making lab automation fast, flexible, and affordable. This means our customers can focus on groundbreaking research, while we take care of the rest.
Why Work at Automata?
- Impact: Your work will directly contribute to advancements in science and medicine, supporting labs around the globe as they push boundaries in research and innovation.
- Innovation: You’ll be part of a team solving complex problems, using cutting‑edge technology.
- Growth: We invest in our people. Whether through hands‑on experience, professional development, or collaborative projects, you’ll grow both professionally and personally.
- Community: Join a diverse, passionate team that values collaboration.
We are looking for a Senior Platform Engineer to help build, scale, and operate the foundational infrastructure powering Automata’s LINQ platform. You will play a critical role in designing and maintaining robust, secure, and compliant systems that support deployments across cloud and on‑premise (including bare‑metal environments). You will collaborate closely with product, software, and field teams to define golden paths that accelerate developer productivity while maintaining high operational standards.
Why is this role important for Automata?
As a Senior Platform Engineer, you will ensure that Automata’s platform is reliable, scalable, and compliant, enabling successful deployments in highly regulated environments. Your work will directly impact customer success, internal velocity, and the platform’s long‑term maintainability.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Designing, building and operating Kubernetes platforms across AWS and bare‑metal environments
- Managing and optimising Postgres databases, ensuring performance, resilience, and data integrity
- Developing and maintaining Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Pulumi, Crossplane, or similar)
- Implementing and managing GitOps workflows (ArgoCD) for consistent and repeatable deployments
- Supporting Windows OS provisioning and hybrid infrastructure environments
- Building and improving observability systems (OpenTelemetry, metrics, tracing, logging)
- Contributing to network architecture and operations, including physical networking (Juniper/Mist)
- Supporting deployments in regulated environments (ISO27001, SOC2, GxP)
- Collaborating with field and customer teams on on‑site deployments and troubleshooting
- Developing automation and internal tooling using Python, Go, Rust, or .NET
- Participating in building orchestration workflows using tools like Temporal
- Help define and maintain golden paths for developers to improve productivity and reliability
- Contribute to documentation, onboarding materials, and operational runbooks
What It Takes:
- 5+ years of experience in platform engineering, SRE, or infrastructure roles
- Strong experience with Kubernetes in production, including bare‑metal clusters
- Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS) and hybrid deployments
- Experience managing databases (Postgres/DBA‑level knowledge preferred)
- Familiarity with GitOps and modern IaC practices
- Experience with observability tooling and distributed systems debugging
- Understanding of networking fundamentals, including physical infrastructure
- Experience working in regulated environments or with compliance frameworks
- Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, Go, Rust, or .NET)
- Strong communication skills and ability to work cross‑functionally
- Willingness to travel to customer sites when needed
- Experience with automation/AI‑assisted development workflows (e.g., Claude Code)
Nice to haves:
- Experience with Juniper/Mist networking
- Exposure to Temporal or similar workflow orchestration systems
- Background in supporting life sciences or GxP environments
Why You’ll Want to Join Us:
- You want to operate at the edge of your capability - where expectations are high and impact is real
- You’re motivated by ownership and autonomy - not hierarchy or process
- You want to build and scale something meaningful - our product directly saves lives
- You’re currently under‑leveraged, moving faster than your environment allows
- You want to work with people who are equally driven, pragmatic, and focused on outcomes
UK Team Benefits:
- Vitality Health Insurance
- Eye Care
- Salary Sacrifice - EV
- Salary Sacrifice - Bike & Tech
- Wellbeing & Support
- Wellbeing & Development Allowance
- Spill & Employee Assistance Programme
- Additional Leave
- Pension Scheme
- Group Life & Critical Illness cover
We are an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.
Senior Platform Engineer in London employer: Automata
At Automata, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters innovation and collaboration in a dynamic work environment. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through mentorship opportunities and a culture that encourages continuous learning, making it an ideal place for experienced engineers to thrive. Located in a vibrant tech hub, we offer competitive benefits and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of platform engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Platform Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Automata on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since you’ll be working with Kubernetes, AWS, and databases, make sure you can talk confidently about your experience and how it relates to the role. Practice common interview questions too!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for innovation and problem-solving during interviews. Automata is all about transforming lab automation, so share examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in your previous roles. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Automata team. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Platform Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Kubernetes, cloud platforms, and any relevant compliance frameworks. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact of your work. Did you improve system reliability or streamline processes? We love to see quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your contributions.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re a team of innovators and problem-solvers, so don’t hesitate to share your passion for technology and how it drives you to make a difference in the life sciences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Automata!
How to prepare for a job interview at Automata
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Kubernetes, AWS, and the specific tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your experience with Infrastructure as Code and GitOps workflows, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss past projects where you tackled complex problems, especially in regulated environments. Be ready to explain your thought process and how you approached challenges, as this role is all about innovation and overcoming obstacles.
✨Understand the Company’s Mission
Familiarise yourself with Automata’s mission to transform lab automation. Think about how your skills can contribute to their goals and be prepared to articulate this during the interview. Showing genuine interest in their impact on life sciences can set you apart.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Have a list of insightful questions ready to ask your interviewers. This could include inquiries about team dynamics, future projects, or how they measure success in this role. It shows that you’re engaged and serious about the opportunity.
