Member of Technical Staff - Automated Manufacturing

Instance is producing synthetic DNA at the scale of AI to unlock the next biological product revolution.

AI is generating the largest trove of biological product candidate molecules in history. Instance DNA Synthesis is the first and only product that enables these candidates to enter the physically testable world at scale, and it is the essential ingredient for AI to realize it’s full impact in biological product development.

Role Overview:

We're seeking a Member of Technical Staff to join our automated manufacturing team. In this role, you'll be at the forefront of building and operating cutting-edge DNA synthesis systems, helping us deliver high-quality synthetic DNA to researchers and companies worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of automated biomanufacturing while working at the intersection of AI, robotics, and synthetic biology.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive Production Excellence

  • Operate Instance's highly automated manufacturing line to produce and deliver high-quality synthetic DNA that meets customer specifications and ships on time

• Own the Process

  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all production shifts, ensuring consistency and quality across operations

• Innovate and Iterate

  • Serve as the primary technical liaison between software engineering, process engineering, and wetlab R&D teams

  • Co-design and implement revisions to our manufacturing processes, identifying opportunities for optimization and automation

  • Work cross-functionally with engineering teams to prioritize and implement automation features that maximize manufacturing impact

• Build the Future

  • Lead the evolution of our manufacturing line from its current state toward our vision of a fully autonomous, lights-off manufacturing facility

  • Establish metrics and monitoring systems for automated manufacturing processes

  • Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex issues spanning software, hardware, and biological systems

• Ensure Quality

  • Monitor production metrics, troubleshoot issues, and maintain the highest standards of quality control throughout the manufacturing process

  • Develop comprehensive standard operating procedures and documentation for automated manufacturing processes

Required Qualifications:

• 2-5 years industry experience in an engineering, automation, or R&D capacity

• Hands-on experience operating and optimizing manufacturing lines, preferably in a high-tech or regulated environment

• Proven track record of operational excellence with strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

• Excellent cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with engineering, quality, and customer teams

• Experience with process improvement methodologies and implementing process revisions in a production environment

• Strong problem-solving abilities and comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment

Nice to have:

• Experience in biotech manufacturing or laboratory automation

• Background in biology, biochemistry, or related life sciences field

• Familiarity with DNA synthesis, molecular biology techniques, or synthetic biology workflows

• Experience with automated liquid handling systems or laboratory robotics

• Knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory requirements in biotech

If you're excited about building the future of automated biomanufacturing and want to make synthetic biology more accessible to researchers everywhere, we'd love to hear from you.