Laboratory Automation Lead
Zoetis
- Location
- Kalamazoo - Downtown Portage Street
- Work model
- On-Site
- Level
- Senior
- H-1B history
- 27 approvals (FY2023)
- Posted
- Aug 18, 2026
About this role
Zoetis is the global leader in animal health, developing innovative pharmaceutical products across the full spectrum of veterinary care. Zoetis is currently recruiting a Laboratory Automation Lead for its world-class Veterinary Medicine Research and Development (VMRD) organization. In this role, the successful candidate will lead a team responsible for the development and implementation of laboratory automation solutions within the Automation & Data Sciences (ADS) group. The position will build on ADS’s industry-leading capabilities and help shape the next generation of assay automation at Zoetis.
Position
Responsibilities: Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows, translate needs into clear requirements, and oversee delivery from planning through execution. Own operational excellence for existing automated workflows by establishing support routines, monitoring performance, prioritizing improvements, and driving enhancements to increase reliability and throughput. Guide technology evaluation and strategy by assessing new assay automation capabilities, synthesizing findings, and informing VMRD’s automation roadmap and investment decisions. Set quality and maintenance processes by defining routine instrument QC standards, ensuring adherence, and coordinating preventive maintenance. Enable teams through coaching and support by training end users, building documentation and escalation paths, and ensuring sustained adoption of automated workflows. Manage external partnerships by effectively leveraging vendors, integrators, and other outside resources to accelerate development and reduce delivery risk. Drive cross-functional alignment by convening automation stakeholders, clarifying roles and decisions, and ensuring consistent practices and priorities across VMRD.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering field with a minimum of 6 years’ industry experience. Extensive experience programming at least one of the relevant liquid handlers on the market. Ability to understand end-user experience and design user focused software interfaces. Experience in integrating automation instrumentation with inventory management systems. Experience with the development, validation, and maintenance of liquid handler liquid classes. Technical Skills: Strong background in streamlining workflows and developing automated laboratory processes from the collection of requirements through to implementation and support. Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills required to interact with colleagues, stakeholders, and vendors. Wet lab experience with attention to detail and desire to be a hands-on team member.
Preferred Qualifications
MS Degree in a science or engineering field. Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues preferred. Full time Regular Colleague Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search. Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn , including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message