Join EarthOptics as a Lab Automation Engineer!

Our mission is to be the leading soil information company, delivering maps that growers, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders use to cost-effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete.

We are combining cutting-edge genomic, soil nutrient, and physical analysis with data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our unified mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil.

We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 30 states and 2 countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently.

Our Lab Automation Engineer will join our Emeryville, CA Lab team to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. As a Lab Automation Engineer at our Emeryville, CA lab, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining automated systems for soil sample processing workflows. This role involves programming robotic arms, integrating laboratory equipment, and developing pragmatic automation solutions that deliver immediate value while maintaining the flexibility for iterative improvements. The ideal candidate will work closely with lab operations teams to ensure automation systems meet practical needs in a challenging soil processing environment.

We have certain criteria across all our hires at EarthOptics, no matter the position or team. Regardless of the role, our team embraces learning, craves collaboration, and is driven by a fast-paced environment. If you resonate with our values and goals, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every requirement. You could be the perfect fit for this role or future opportunities.

The digs:

• Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt
• Work Location: This is an onsite position in our Emeryville, CA office and laboratory.
• Travel: Less than 15-20% of the time
• Target Start Date: ASAP
• Compensation: $105,000 annually

What you’ll cultivate as an Lab Automation Engineer: (Your responsibilities)

• Program and maintain robotic arms (such as Mecademic and Universal Robots systems) for soil sample handling, subsampling, weighing, and tray management
• Program and integrate standard lab automation platforms including Biomek, OpenTrons, and Tecan liquid handlers into complex workflows
• Work with existing custom automation systems that utilize an array of controllers (e.g. Raspberry Pi, Arduino, custom PCBs), sensors and actuators (e.g. ultrasonic sensors, peristaltic pumps, air and water valves, and safety control systems)
• Implement and maintain sample tracking workflows using barcode scanning and database integration at each workstation
• Develop simple UI interfaces using React frameworks and integrate with existing software systems via APIs
• Work with Arduino and other microcontrollers for IoT, edge applications and sensor integration
• Design and implement automated sample movement and conveyor belt systems
• Deliver minimal viable prototypes quickly, following the 80/20 rule to provide working solutions that can be iterated upon.
• Continuously enhance automation systems while maintaining operational functionality
• Maintain and improve safety switches, valve controls, and emergency stop systems
• Communicate progress and coordinate with stakeholders on automation project timelines
• Occasionally travel to other lab sites to deploy and maintain automation systems
• Create comprehensive documentation including bills of materials (BOMs), hardware assembly instructions, software setup procedures, and user manuals
• Maintain code repositories using Git/GitHub for all software components and configuration files
• Conduct hardware and software performance validation including Hardware Accelerated Lifecycle Testing (HALT), stress testing, and reliability assessments

Are you our soil-mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have experience in: (Your qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• Fresh graduates with strong hands-on project experience encouraged to apply
• Experience with laboratory automation systems preferred but not required
• Demonstrated experience with robotics, programming, and hardware integration through coursework, internships, or personal projects

• Experience with Raspberry Pi, Linux environments, Python, and basic web development (JS/React preferred).
• Proficiency in leveraging AI tools for code generation, debugging, research, and productivity optimization to accelerate development cycles.
• Hands-on experience programming industrial robot arms and automated laboratory equipment
• Proficiency with Arduino, ESP32, or PIC or similar microcontroller platforms
• Ability to connect automation systems with existing software infrastructure
• Strong focus on delivering working solutions quickly rather than over-engineering perfect systems
• Excellent verbal and written communication for collaboration with lab operations team
• Basic project planning and stakeholder update capabilities
• Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities
• Experience with sensors, motors, pumps, and control systems
• Understanding of laboratory safety protocols and automation safety systems
• Ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• Strong troubleshooting skills for both hardware and software issues
• Proficient in creating technical documentation, BOMs, assembly instructions, and maintaining version control with Git/GitHub
• Experience with performance testing methodologies including HALT and system reliability testing
• Preferred experience working in soil or agricultural lab environments with understanding of dust and slurry challenges

**We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time.

Aside from “the green”, we can offer you:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance - 85% funded by EarthOptics for benefit-eligible employees and 65% for dependents
• Company-paid LTD, STD, and Life Insurance
• Meaningful equity option grants
• 401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%
• 17 days of paid time off, plus 10 additional company holidays
• Parental Leave
• Professional Development Stipend + access to learning platforms
• Candidate Referral Program
• Above and Beyond Bonus Program
• Flexible Schedule & Hybrid/Remote Work Environment
• Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings

How we stay grounded:

Although we have teammates working in the field, in-office, and at home, we aim to create a cohesive, diverse, and enriching environment for all of our employees. We embrace different tools to enhance our workflows and communicate intentionally, both live and asynchronously. A few quick facts you should know:

• We rely on Slack to communicate. Although there are a variety of team-specific systems to facilitate your work, this is our primary!
• We love both food and emojis at EarthOptics. If hired, you’ll come to love (and use many) taco and donut emojis. 🌮🍩
• Our core business hours are Monday through Friday 11am-4pm EST. We have teammates in every time zone, and have some teams that operate outside of that timeframe. As a remote employee, you are asked to honor those hours to ensure enough time to overlap with key cross-functional teams.
• In order to maximize our remote culture, we host company-wide opportunities to connect (virtually and in-person) and create space for focus work. For example, we have a weekly all-hands stand-up meeting on Monday and reserve Fridays as a regular “No Meeting” day.
• Instead of values, we believe in actionable “cultural concepts”. Collectively, we hold one another to act and give feedback with these concepts in mind. Ours are information and intent, recognition and respect, and autonomy and accountability.

Inclusion and Diversity at EarthOptics:

At EarthOptics, we embrace diversity and equality, and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability.

We are deeply committed to welcoming and including every qualified individual. As a part of this commitment, we ensure that persons with disabilities have access to reasonable accommodations. If you require assistance during the job application or interview process, need support to perform essential job functions, or seek other benefits and privileges of employment, please reach out to us at accommodations@earthoptics.com.