At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and operate cutting-edge platforms that empower scientists globally.
- 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.
Level: 4
Salary band: £70,000 - £80,000
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. 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 employer: Automata
At Automata, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid London office provides a vibrant environment where you can contribute to meaningful advancements in life sciences while enjoying comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to empowering scientists and making a real impact in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Platform Engineer
✨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 landing the Senior Platform Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Kubernetes and cloud platform knowledge. We recommend setting up a mini-project to showcase your skills in managing databases and building observability systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss past projects where you tackled complex issues, especially in regulated environments. This will highlight your fit for the role at Automata.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our mission to empower scientists.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Platform Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Platform Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Kubernetes, cloud platforms, and any relevant programming languages. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for automation in life sciences and how you can contribute to our mission at Automata. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, make sure to mention them! Whether it's managing databases or developing automation tools, we love seeing real-world examples of your work. It helps us understand your hands-on experience better.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Automata!
How to prepare for a job interview at Automata
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Senior Platform Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in Kubernetes, AWS, and database management. Brush up on your knowledge of these technologies and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented them. Prepare to explain how you’ve tackled challenges in production environments.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Automata values innovation and problem-solving. Think of examples where you've solved complex issues, especially in regulated environments. Be prepared to walk through your thought process and the impact of your solutions on the team or project.
✨Understand Their Mission
Familiarise yourself with Automata's mission to transform lab automation. Be ready to discuss how your role as a Senior Platform Engineer can contribute to this goal. Showing that you align with their vision will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, expect questions about collaboration. Think of times when you’ve worked with product, software, or field teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to successful outcomes in team settings.
