Director of Laboratory Automation/Process Engineering

Company Overview
SAGA Diagnostics is a personalized cancer diagnostics and disease monitoring company focused on molecular genetic analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The company’s mission is to improve precision cancer medicine, provide more accurate treatment monitoring, and improve patient survival using minimally-invasive liquid biopsy cancer testing services. SAGA’s proprietary tests can help patients, oncologists, and drug developers detect actionable mutations, stratify patient groups, and monitor treatment response, residual disease, and disease recurrence at unprecedented sensitivity and scale.

Following the launch of our U.S.-based R&D operations in North Carolina, we are seeking an innovative Director of Laboratory Automation to lead, expand, and manage our global Lab Automation team. This is a unique opportunity to shape and scale our automation efforts, drive advancements in diagnostic automation, and make a profound impact on patient care worldwide.

Position Overview
As the Director of Lab Automation, you will be pivotal in leading a high-performing Automation team. Working closely with our R&D teams and Clinical Lab Operations teams, you’ll spearhead the design and integration of automation solutions to elevate our laboratory’s efficiency and precision. This role will oversee the seamless integration of automation systems into our clinical labs and foster strong collaboration with key stakeholders, including LIMS development, assay development, and clinical operations.

Key responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and implement new automation methods to enhance laboratory workflows.
• Evaluate existing processes to identify opportunities for automation and streamlining, improving throughput and reducing human error.
• Collaborate closely with LIMS and Bioinformatic teams to ensure seamless integration of automation technologies with existing laboratory information management systems.
• Partner with R&D, Quality Assurance, and Operations to drive innovation and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Act as a hands-on leader with a focus on continuous improvement, reporting to the SVP of R&D.
• Take full ownership of automation initiatives, driving them from conception to successful implementation.

This role would suit someone who enjoys streamlining assays and wants to grow a team in a high-growth start-up.   You may have worked on the clinical operations side and want to develop the automation or have worked in a product development context helping to transfer complex molecular biology assays into a CLIA lab.

Requirements

Required qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in laboratory automation, with a strong preference for experience in a diagnostics or clinical lab setting.
• Expertise in managing and building high-performing teams
• Proven experience working with LIMS and understanding the integration of automation systems.
• Strong project management skills and experience with cross-functional team leadership.
• A creative, inventive, and pragmatic approach to streamlining technologies.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards in a clinical laboratory setting is a plus.
• Positive, proactive attitude, with a willingness to “roll up your sleeves” and tackle challenges head-on.

Benefits

• The opportunity to develop cutting-edge automation solutions for genomic diagnostics.   
• Generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HRA, and paid parental leave.
• Membership to SAGA’s Equity scheme.  

Saga Diagnostics is an equal opportunity employer, fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces and encourages applicants of every background.  The company’s policy regarding equal employment opportunity means that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, benefits, wage and salary administration, scheduling, disciplinary action and termination will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to hr@sagadiagnostics.com.