Lila Sciences is a startup building an AI platform that trains models on scientific literature and integrates laboratory validation to enable autonomous scientific discovery.
<p><strong>Your Impact at LILA</strong></p> <p>We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented <strong>Associate Engineer</strong> to join our high-throughput Research Operations team. In this role, you will focus on hands on materials synthesis of various powders and porous medias as well as characterization of materials using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques.</p> <p>You will gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art automation technologies while contributing directly to projects that drive our company’s growth.</p> <p>This is an excellent opportunity for candidates excited to learn engineering principles, work with advanced laboratory automation, and develop a strong foundation in scientific operations in a dynamic, shift-based environment.</p> <p><strong>What You'll Be Building</strong></p> <ul> <li>Perform materials synthesis for materials including zeolites, MOFS, coolants, quantum dots, and lipid nanoparticles</li> <li>Prepare reagents, solutions/electrolytes , samples, and consumables to ensure seamless continuation of experiments across shifts</li> <li>Follow detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and throughput</li> <li>Monitor workflow performance, troubleshoot common issues, and escalate when necessary to ensure continuity between shifts</li> <li>Record, organize, and maintain experimental data with high attention to detail</li> <li>Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline processes across shift operations</li> <li>Flag unusual features or results for scientist review</li> <li>Collaborate with scientists and engineers to support diverse projects across life sciences and physical sciences</li> </ul> <p><strong>What You'll Need to Succeed</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical/Materials Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent laboratory experience)</li> <li>Attention to detail and strong organizational skills</li> <li>1 year of experience with bench top and wet lab environments an industrial setting with high throughout performing: pipetting, chemical handling, solution and sample preperation, high temperature annealing</li> <li>Hand on experience synthesizing zeolites, MOFs, and powder materials</li> <li>Experience working and disposing of acids and bases, synthesis in fume hoods, and handling powders</li> <li>Curiosity to learn new skills and techniques relevant to materials science</li> </ul> <p><strong>Bonus Points For</strong></p> <ul> <li>Additional familiarity with: coolants, quantum dots, nanoparticles, and thin films.</li> <li>Experience working in high-throughput production environments with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and accuracy</li> <li>Basic engineering skills for troubleshooting synthesis tools such as centrifuge, annealers, chemical handler robots, glove box</li> <li>Familiarity with automated workflows and techniques to operate and generate custom scripts</li> <li>Experience with characterization methods for analyzing morphology and chemical compositions</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p><strong>Compensation</strong></p> <p>We offer competitive base compensation with bonus potential and generous early-stage equity. Your final offer will reflect your background, expertise, and expected impact.</p> <p><strong>U.S. Benefits.</strong> Full-time U.S. employees receive a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; flexible time off with generous company wide holidays; paid parental leave; an educational assistance program; commuter benefits, including bike share memberships for office based employees; and a company subsidized lunch program.</p> <p><strong>International Benefits.</strong> Full-time employees outside the U.S. receive a comprehensive benefits program tailored to their region. USD salary ranges apply only to U.S.-based positions; international salaries are set to local market.</p></div><div class="title">Expected Base Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$68,000</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$100,800 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p><strong>About LILA</strong></p> <p>Lila Sciences is building Scientific Superintelligence™ to solve humankind's greatest challenges. We believe science is the most inspiring frontier for AI. Rather than hard-coding expert knowledge into tools, LILA builds systems that can learn for themselves.</p> <p>LILA combines advanced AI models with proprietary AI Science Factory™ instruments into an operating system for science that executes the entire scientific method autonomously, accelerating discovery at unprecedented speed, scale, and impact across medicine, materials, and energy. Learn more at www.lila.ai.</p> <p>Guided by our core values of truth, trust, curiosity, grit, and velocity, we move with startup speed while tackling problems of historic importance. If this sounds like an environment you'd love to work in, even if you don't meet every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.</p> <p><strong>We’re All In</strong></p> <p>Lila Sciences is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.</p> <p>Information you provide during your application process will be handled in accordance with our <a href="https://www.lila.ai/candidate-privacy-policy-notice">Candidate Privacy Policy</a>.</p> <p><strong>A Note to Agencies</strong></p> <p><em>Lila Sciences does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to Lila Sciences or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Lila Science’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any re