DNA Synthesis Operations Engineer (evenings)

Our mission is to make biology easier to engineer. Ginkgo is constructing, editing, and redesigning the living world in order to answer the globe’s growing challenges in health, energy, food, materials, and more. Our bioengineers make use of an in-house automated foundry for designing and building new organisms. 

At the heart of our foundry is high-throughput DNA synthesis. The DNA synthesis team operates the BIOFAB platform to manufacture gene and pathway-length DNA sequences used by the Ginkgo codebase teams. 

We're seeking a DNA Synthesis Operations Engineer to join our team to execute, improve, and scale our state-of-the-art manufacturing process flows.  You’ll apply molecular biology protocols to perform efficient and high-quality lab-work in a fast-paced setting.  You will use your excellent communication skills and flexibility to work effectively within a diverse team.  You’ll display your breadth by leveraging the technology, software, automation, and instrumentation acumen required by our detailed processes flows.  #LI-LS1

Please note that this position is for the 2nd shift in our rotation. Hours are 2:00pm - 10:00pm, Monday through Friday at our Cambridge, MA location.

Responsibilities

• Skillfully execute and help to improve the many diverse high-throughput automated processes of our DNA synthesis platforms.
• Work with teammates to plan shifts for maximizing productivity considering current demands and resource availability.
• Troubleshoot equipment or processes failures. Overcome obstacles and escalate to and work with topical experts as needed.
• Perform quality control tests and evaluate results to enable disposition of work in progress.
• Work efficiently, maintain an orderly manufacturing environment, and achieve high quality results.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work 2nd shift (Monday through Friday, from 2:00pm to 10:00pm)
• Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry or biomedical engineering 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with customers, fellow team members, and senior management
• Ability to work independently and as part of team in a fluid, fast-paced environment

Preferred Capabilities and Experience

• Experience in manufacturing with automated fluid handling equipment
• Prior relevant experience with molecular biology protocols (such as DNA amplification and modification, gene synthesis, next generation sequencing, bacteria culturing, and plasmid prep), as well as understanding of related reagents
• Demonstrated use of SPC, DOE, and Failure Analysis techniques preferred
• Exposure to Six-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing a plus

To learn more about Ginkgo, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com/press/ or check out some curated press below:

What is it really like to take your company public via a SPAC? One Boston biotech shares its journey (Fortune)

Ginkgo Bioworks resizes the definition of going big in biotech, raising $2.5B in a record SPAC deal that weighs in with a whopping $15B-plus valuation (Endpoints News)

Ginkgo Bioworks CEO on scaling up Covid-19 testing: ‘If we try, we can win’ (CNBC)

Ginkgo raises $70 million to ramp up COVID-19 testing for employers, universities (Boston Globe)

Ginkgo Bioworks Redirects Its Biotech Platform to Coronavirus (Wall Street Journal)

Ginkgo Bioworks Provides Support on Process Optimization to Moderna for COVID-19 Response (PRNewswire)

The Life Factory: Synthetic Organisms From This $1.4 Billion Startup Will Revolutionize Manufacturing (Forbes)

Synthetic Bio Pioneer Ginkgo Raises $290 Million in New Funding (Bloomberg)

Ginkgo Bioworks raises $350 million fund for biotech spinouts (Reuters)

Can This Company Convince You to Love GMOs? (The Atlantic)

We also feel that it’s important to point out the obvious here – there’s a serious lack of diversity in our industry, and that needs to change. Our goal is to help drive that change. Ginkgo is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its practices, especially when it comes to growing our team. Our culture promotes inclusion and embraces how rewarding it is to work with people from all walks of life.  

We’re developing a powerful biological engineering platform, so we must remain mindful of the many ways our technology can – and will – impact people around the world. We care about how our platform is used, and having a diverse team to build it gives us the best chance that it’s something we’ll be proud of as it continues to grow. Therefore, it’s critical that we incorporate the diverse voices and visions of all those who play a role in the future of biology.

It is the policy of Ginkgo Bioworks to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants.

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