At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative lab instruments and drive fast, efficient system integration.
- Company: Join Lila Sciences, a pioneer in Scientific Superintelligence and AI-driven solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and flexible time off.
- Other info: Thriving environment for growth, creativity, and collaboration in high-throughput settings.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in science with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering leadership, strong coding skills, and experience in systems integration.
Your Impact at LILA
Lila Sciences is seeking a relentless executor and strategic operator to spearhead our Instrument Development initiatives and lead our Virtual Lab Team. You will be responsible for getting instruments online, fast, reliably, and at scale. The role is for someone who thrives in high-throughput environments and measures success in instruments shipped.
What You’ll Be Building
- Set clear expectations, remove obstacles quickly, and keep the team focused on delivery over deliberation.
- Own the rapid design and development of laboratory instruments across the full lifecycle, from concept to operational in the lab, at high volume.
- Architect and implement integration frameworks connecting virtual laboratory environments with physical instrumentation and robotic systems.
- Maintain rigorous hardware-software integration standards, system performance benchmarks, and quality assurance processes without letting them become bottlenecks.
- Make pragmatic technical decisions across software, hardware, and systems integration that keep momentum, escalating only what truly needs escalation.
- Work tightly with AI researchers, software engineers, and robotics teams to drive fast, efficient system integration and deployment.
- Communicate clearly and concisely on status, blockers, and decisions to stakeholders at all levels.
- Build and refine lean development practices that prioritize speed, system reliability, and repeatable quality assurance.
What You’ll Need to Succeed
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field. Ph.D. is a plus but not required.
- At least 10 years in engineering or technical leadership, with a proven record of delivering complex systems at scale and on time.
- Strong hands‑on coding ability in C++, Python, or Java, with deep experience in hardware-software integration.
- Proven ability to lead complex systems integration across software, hardware, and robotic platforms.
- A problem‑solver who makes decisions with imperfect information and keeps moving.
- Clear, direct communicator who can align engineers and stakeholders without unnecessary overhead.
Bonus Points For
- Experience with agile or lean development methodologies in high-throughput environments.
- Hands‑on knowledge of AI, robotics, and simulation technologies as applied to laboratory instrumentation and automation.
- Experience with system monitoring, performance optimization, and QA in hardware-software environments.
- Track record of scaling teams and processes during periods of rapid growth.
Compensation
We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.
U.S. Benefits
Full‑time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer‑paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company‑wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.
International Benefits
Full‑time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.
Expected Base Salary Range: $232,000 — $304,000 USD
About LILA
Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard‑coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves. LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. LILA is guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, we encourage you to apply.
Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Policy.
Director, Instrument Development Acceleration in Cambridge employer: Lilasciences
Lila Sciences is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those who thrive in fast-paced environments. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to work alongside leading experts in AI and robotics. Our commitment to truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity ensures that every team member can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive and collaborative atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Instrument Development Acceleration in Cambridge
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Director, Instrument Development Acceleration role you’re after at Lilasciences.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Lilasciences a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Lilasciences.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Director, Instrument Development Acceleration at Lilasciences, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Instrument Development Acceleration in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Director, Instrument Development Acceleration, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Lilasciences a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Lilasciences specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lilasciences
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Lilasciences, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Lilasciences want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
