At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the technical direction of our platform infrastructure and drive innovation in lab automation.
- Company: Join Automata, a pioneering tech company transforming life sciences through automation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health insurance, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and personal growth.
- 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. 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 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.
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 (developer tooling, Claude code workflows).
- Influence and improve orchestration patterns (Temporal and similar systems).
- 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 employer: Automata
At Automata, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our London office provides a vibrant environment where you can make a tangible impact in the life sciences sector while enjoying comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, wellbeing support, and professional development opportunities. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to empowering scientists and driving advancements in research and technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Platform Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to Kubernetes or cloud architecture. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions and scenarios relevant to platform engineering. Practice explaining your thought process clearly—communication is key!
✨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 team at Automata.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Platform Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Staff Platform Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in Kubernetes, cloud architectures, and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for lab automation and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Automata. Don’t forget to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical leadership.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your programming skills and experience with IaC and GitOps. We’re looking for someone who can drive innovation, so let us know how you've used technology to solve complex problems in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Automata
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Kubernetes, cloud architectures, and data infrastructure. Brush up on your knowledge of Postgres and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these technologies in past roles. This will show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of complex problems you've solved in previous positions, especially those related to platform engineering or distributed systems. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact of your solutions on the team and the project.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since this role involves working with both technical and non-technical teams, practice explaining your ideas in a way that's easy to understand. Use clear language and avoid jargon when possible, so everyone can follow along.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Qualities
Think about times when you've mentored others or led a project. Be prepared to discuss how you raised the technical bar for your team and how you can bring that same energy to Automata. They want to see that you can inspire and guide others.
