Synthesis Instrumentation Engineer

Adaptyv is building an automated lab that lets AI agents run biology experiments.

We're entering the era of agentic science where AI models can now design novel proteins, propose hypotheses, and iterate on experimental results. But they can't run the experiments themselves - that's still a manual, months-long process. We're building the infrastructure that gives AI agents access to the physical world.

We are one of the fastest growing biotech companies, trusted by leading biopharmas, frontier AI labs, and the techbio companies pushing the field forward. This is a rare chance to help advance some of the most important work happening in biotech today.

Our automated lab is powered by a deep software + hardware stack: lab instruments worth millions of USD reverse-engineered into API-controllable hardware, dozens of devices orchestrated through complex workflows, full observability on everything that happens in the lab, processing pipelines for messy physical-world data, and AI systems that troubleshoot production results and accelerate assay development.

We’re growing rapidly and are hiring for talented people to scale and support the massive demand for AI-driven wet lab experimentation.

About the Role

We're looking for a hands-on scientist-engineer to help build our next-generation DNA synthesis platform, enabling high-throughput, cost-effective production of large and diverse DNA libraries. You'll work at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, and hardware development, designing and building prototypes, running experiments, and optimizing processes to turn new synthesis technologies into reliable, scalable production systems.

DNA synthesis is a fundamental part of our protein engineering platform. We're developing new approaches to dramatically increase synthesis throughput while reducing cost and turnaround time.

You'll work closely with our scientific and engineering teams to develop and prototype new DNA synthesis technologies. Your focus will be on translating scientific concepts into working hardware and experimental systems, designing and building prototypes, testing different approaches, and continuously improving their performance.

This is a highly hands-on, interdisciplinary role combining experimental science with practical engineering. You'll take ownership of prototype development, experimental validation, and process optimization, helping move promising technologies from early concepts to reliable, scalable systems.

We're looking for someone who enjoys building things, solving technical problems, and working across disciplines. You don't need to be an expert in DNA synthesis, but you should have strong scientific fundamentals, an engineering mindset, and experience turning ideas into working prototypes.

What You'll Do

• Design, build, and test prototypes for next-generation DNA synthesis technologies.

• Translate scientific and technical requirements into practical engineering designs and experimental setups.

• Scope and evaluate different technical approaches, components, materials, and equipment for prototype development.

• Develop and optimize the chemistry, materials, and processes underlying the synthesis platform.

• Design and execute experiments to characterize performance, identify limitations, and improve reliability.

• Work closely with mechanical, electronics, software, and automation engineers to develop integrated experimental systems.

• Troubleshoot complex technical problems across chemistry, hardware, and process engineering.

• Develop analytical methods and quality control strategies to measure performance and guide optimization.

• Help scale successful prototypes into robust, reproducible systems suitable for routine production.

• Work with external suppliers and engineering partners to source components, evaluate technologies, and accelerate development.

What We're Looking For

• A strong background in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field.

• Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing experimental setups, prototypes, or laboratory equipment.

• Strong understanding of chemistry, materials, or process engineering, with the ability to apply these fundamentals to practical engineering challenges.

• Experience developing and optimizing experimental processes, including systematic troubleshooting and performance characterization.

• Comfortable working across hardware and experimental science, translating scientific requirements into practical engineering solutions.

• Experience selecting components, evaluating technical trade-offs, and iterating on prototype designs.

• Strong experimental skills, including designing experiments, analyzing data, and making decisions based on results.

• Independent, resourceful, and comfortable working on open-ended technical problems.

• A practical, hands-on approach to engineering, with a focus on building, testing, and improving systems rather than purely theoretical development.

• Experience with DNA or oligonucleotide synthesis, including chemical or enzymatic approaches, is a plus.

• Experience with solid-phase synthesis, surface chemistry, or chemical process development is a plus.

• Familiarity with microfluidics, high-throughput dispensing, or array-based technologies is a plus.

• Experience with laboratory automation, instrumentation, or custom hardware development is a plus.

• Experience with CAD, electronics, fluidics, or mechanical prototyping is a plus.

• Experience scaling experimental technologies from proof of concept to production is a plus.

• Programming and data analysis experience, particularly in Python, is a plus.

Details

• Location: Lausanne, Switzerland (on-site)

• Type: Full time

• Start date: ASAP

Application deadline

We are reviewing applicants on a rolling basis.

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