At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the technical direction of our innovative platform infrastructure and drive engineering productivity.
- Company: Join Automata, a pioneering company transforming lab automation for scientists worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in science and medicine while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in platform engineering with expertise in Kubernetes and cloud architectures.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 120000 € per year.
Level: 5 | Salary band: £110,000 - £120,000 | Location: Hybrid - 3 days per week in London Office (Angel, Islington)
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 through hands-on experience, professional development, or collaborative projects.
- Community: Join a diverse, passionate team that values collaboration.
We are looking for a Staff Platform Engineer to lead the technical direction of Automata’s platform infrastructure. This is a high-impact role where you will define architecture, drive standards, and enable teams to deliver faster and more reliably across cloud and on-premise environments. You will operate across teams, setting the vision for platform engineering and ensuring that our systems meet the highest standards of performance, security, and compliance.
As a Staff Platform Engineer, you will be responsible for shaping the technical foundation of Automata’s platform at scale. You will define the systems and practices that allow teams to move quickly while maintaining reliability in highly regulated, customer-facing environments. Your work will multiply engineering productivity and ensure that Automata can scale its platform globally.
In this role, you will be responsible for:
- Define and drive the platform architecture across cloud, edge, and bare-metal deployments
- Establish and evolve golden paths that standardise how engineers build, deploy, and operate services
- Lead the design of multi-cluster Kubernetes platforms, including bare-metal and hybrid setups
- Own strategy and best practices for data infrastructure (Postgres and beyond)
- Drive adoption of GitOps (ArgoCD) and scalable IaC frameworks
- Architect systems for highly regulated environments (ISO27001, SOC2, GxP)
- Lead observability strategy using OpenTelemetry and modern tooling
- Guide network architecture, including physical networking and vendor integrations (Juniper/Mist)
- Drive platform-level automation and AI adoption
- Influence and improve orchestration patterns
- Partner with product, engineering, and field teams to ensure successful customer deployments
- Mentor engineers and raise the technical bar across the organisation
- Balance technical excellence with pragmatic decision-making
What it takes:
- 8+ years of experience in platform engineering, infrastructure, or distributed systems
- Deep expertise in Kubernetes, including bare-metal and large-scale production systems
- Strong experience designing cloud + on-prem hybrid architectures
- Advanced knowledge of Postgres and data infrastructure
- Proven experience defining and scaling platform standards and developer workflows
- Strong background in IaC and GitOps at scale
- Experience designing systems for compliance-heavy environments
- Deep understanding of observability, reliability engineering, and incident management
- Strong programming skills in at least one of (Go, Python, Rust, .NET)
- Excellent communication and leadership skills across technical and non-technical teams
- Experience working directly with customers or field teams in complex environments
- Willingness to travel when needed to support key deployments
- Experience introducing AI-assisted engineering practices
Nice to haves:
- Experience with Juniper/Mist networking and physical infrastructure
- Experience with Temporal or workflow orchestration systems
- Background in life sciences, robotics, or lab automation
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.
Staff Platform Engineer London · employer: Automata
At Automata, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid work model allows for flexibility while working alongside a passionate team dedicated to transforming the life sciences industry. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Automata provides a rewarding environment where your contributions directly impact scientific advancements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Platform Engineer London ·
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, conferences, or even casual coffee chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This is your chance to demonstrate what you can bring to the table, especially in platform engineering and automation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to platform engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the process.
✨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 our innovative team at Automata.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Platform Engineer London ·
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Staff Platform Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Kubernetes, cloud architectures, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills. We want to see how you fit into our mission!
Show Your Passion:Let us know why you're excited about working at Automata! Share your enthusiasm for lab automation and how you can contribute to our innovative team. A little personality goes a long way in making your application stand out.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point—just like we do in our engineering practices!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy—just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Automata
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Kubernetes, cloud architectures, and data infrastructure. Be ready to discuss your experience with these technologies in detail, as they are crucial for the role. Prepare examples of how you've implemented these systems in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Automata is all about innovation and solving complex problems. Think of specific challenges you've faced in platform engineering and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical teams, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Good communication is key, so be prepared to articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Spirit
Automata values teamwork and collaboration. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked effectively within a team, mentored others, or contributed to a positive team culture. Highlight any experiences that showcase your ability to work well with diverse groups.
