---
title: 'Field Automation Scientist, US Midwest at Unchained Labs'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/field-automation-scientist-us-midwest-unchained-labs-midwest-e8r4t2gwdafz'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-09'
---

# Field Automation Scientist, US Midwest at Unchained Labs

- **Company:** Unchained Labs
- **Location:** Midwest, United States
- **Compensation:** $120k–$140k
- **Posted:** 2026-05-20
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-09
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs/jobs/8556826002

## Job description

Field Automation Scientist, US, Midwest

The Top Line

Here’s the deal. We’re all about helping researchers break free from tools that just don’t cut it. Unleashing problem-tackling products that make a huge difference in the real science they do every day. That’s our mantra, our promise and we own it. Our tribe is different. We thrive on moving fast, taking risks and persevering through failure. We embrace the unknown and we are happy to make mistakes. We are there for each other and we crave diversity because we know that building a truly diverse tribe will make us better at everything.

The Job

We are seeking a top-notch, US-based (Midwest) Field Automation Scientist to commission state-of-the-art laboratory automation workflow solutions and optimize customer applications for the west coast. This job is all about adeptly supporting Stuntman, Big Kahuna, Junior, Big Tuna and integrated 3rd party lab automation equipment while building fabulous relationships with customers. You will enable customers to meet their workflow automation goals thereby making an oversized impact on customer and Unchained Labs success. This is your rare opportunity play a huge role in accelerating customer development in high throughput.

## Responsibilities

- Lead installation, integration testing, site acceptance testing, and customer training of custom lab automation systems
- Expertly communicate with customers throughout complex system commissioning and support cases
- Work hand-in-hand with customers and internal teams to ramp-up customer applications on newly installed integrated automation systems.
- Be a go-to expert on automation software, customer protocols, and system level troubleshooting
- Provide on-site and remote support, solving tough problems for customers working in a wide range of scientific fields
- Be a customer advocate – provide customer feedback and field perspective to make us better
- Timely documentation of issues and solutions using Salesforce CRM
- Travel to customer sites within the US and Canada and occasionally internationally (travel ~50%)

## Qualifications

- Deep commitment to customer success
- Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field; graduate level preferred
- Proven hands-on applications, service, or technical support experience for complex lab automation equipment; familiarity with Junior or Big Kahuna workflow solutions is a huge plus
- Experience with a contemporary programming language (such as Python) is needed
- Must be knowledgeable in general lab practices and always learning new science
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to inspire others about automation possibilities
- Comfortable with a dynamic work environment and schedule, including working on multiple projects and application areas in a day and managing flexible travel plans
- Gritty, confident, and cool under pressure
- Self-driven and solutions-oriented to thrive in an environment of high-performance expectations
- Location preferred – US, Midwest or east coast

## Compensation

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 - $140,000. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual base salary may vary based on the Company’s compensation practices. This role is also eligible for our bonus program, comprehensive health, and retirement benefit programs.

US Jobs must have pay transparency on all JD's US pay range $120,000—$140,000 USD

## About Unchained Labs

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Unchained Labs provides tools and AI-driven automation for biologics and gene therapy researchers to characterize, process, and analyze complex molecules.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Acquired by The Carlyle Group in 2021)
- **Headquarters**: Pleasanton, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2015
- **Founders**: Tim Harkness (CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Life science tools, biotechnology research
- **Target customers**: Biologics and gene therapy researchers in pharma, biotech, and academia (B2B)
- **Mission statement**: “Be the go-to biologics and gene therapy tools supplier” with a path to “Uncover big scientific problems. Solve them. Period.” [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/)

## Products & Services
Unchained Labs offers a wide range of instruments and software for sample preparation, characterization, and automation. Key offerings include:

- **Stuntman**: AI-driven, fundamentally flexible automation platform that turns plain-language intent into action, plans experiments, guides closed-loop automation, and interprets results. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/)
- **Leprechaun**: Plate-based DSF (Differential Scanning Fluorimetry) and light scattering platform for protein stability.
- **Stunner / Stunner AF**: Single-particle biophysical characterization tool for lentivirus, exosomes, and nanoparticles.
- **Lunatic**: Plate-based UV/Vis tool for biologics and genomics.
- **Honeybun**: Low-volume viscometer for biologics.
- **Aunty**: Stability characterization platform for ADCs and biologics.
- **Big Tuna / Unagi**: Automated buffer exchange and UF/DF systems.
- **Sunbather**: GMP-ready nanoparticle production system.
- **Sunshine / Sunscreen**: Nanoparticle synthesis platforms for formulation screening and process development.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (acquired by The Carlyle Group in 2021 for $435 M) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of $60 M (estimated) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Total Funding**: $285 M across multiple rounds, including Series A (Novo Ventures, TPG Biotech), Series B, C, D, and debt financing from Silicon Valley Bank [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: The Carlyle Group (parent), Novo Ventures, TPG Biotech, Silicon Valley Bank
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 166 employees (‑11.1% YoY), operations in 9 countries; recent product launches include Stuntman (AI automation), Sunbather (GMP nanoparticle production), and Stunner AF; acquisitions of AVIA Biosystems, Nanoview Biosciences, Blacktrace Ltd., Rap.ID, and Trinean to expand capabilities [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/)

## Competitive Advantages
- **Broad portfolio** covering characterization, buffer exchange, nanoparticle synthesis, and AI-driven automation – a one-stop shop for biologics and gene therapy workflows.
- **AI-driven automation** with Stuntman reduces manual intervention and accelerates experimental design and execution.
- **Deep focus on gene therapy and LNP** (lipid nanoparticle) applications with dedicated tools like Stunner, Sunbather, and Sunshine.
- **Private equity backing** from Carlyle provides capital for acquisitions and R&D without quarterly earnings pressure.

## Strategic Focus
- **Expand AI-driven automation**: Stuntman represents a shift toward autonomous lab workflows, capturing structured data and enabling closed-loop experimentation.
- **Strengthen gene therapy and LNP offerings**: New products like Sunbather and Stunner AF target the growing demand for GMP-compliant nanoparticle production and characterization.
- **Continue M&A integration**: Absorbing acquired companies (e.g., Nanoview, Blacktrace) to fill technology gaps and broaden customer reach.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Unchained Labs describes itself as fast-paced, autonomous, and accountable. “We move fast and expect a lot. … If a fast pace, autonomy, flexibility and real responsibility float your boat, check out our open positions.” [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs)
- **Team philosophy**: “The right group of people can accomplish anything.” Emphasis on “we, not I” and persistence. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/)
- **Work model**: Hybrid/office presence at headquarters in Pleasanton, CA, and field roles across the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and other countries.
- **Engineering culture**: Software engineers work on cutting-edge automation and AI; roles in manufacturing, field service, and sales also available.
- **Recent departures** (e.g., Director of Engineering, HR Director) may indicate organizational change, but the company continues to hire for key positions (Software Engineer, Field Automation Scientist, Sr. Manufacturing Engineer) [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) [job-boards.greenhouse.io](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs)

## Sources
1. [unchainedlabs.com](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/) – Product overview, news, and company description
2. [unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/about-unchained-labs/) – Mission, vision, and values
3. [unchainedlabs.com/jobs](https://www.unchainedlabs.com/jobs/) – Culture and open positions
4. [job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/unchainedlabs) – Current job listings
5. [linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchained-labs) – Revenue, headcount, funding, acquisitions, and employee data

## Other roles at Unchained Labs

- [Account Manager - Analytics, N. CA Bay Area, CO, UT](https://feeny.ai/job/account-manager-analytics-n-ca-bay-area-co-ut-unchained-labs-northern-s3zcm18vv5zs) — Northern, CA
- [Field Service Engineer, Japan](https://feeny.ai/job/field-service-engineer-japan-unchained-labs-asia-field-t90q5nn8tzra) — Asia Field
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- [Instrument Technician- Temp, Belgium](https://feeny.ai/job/instrument-technician-temp-belgium-unchained-labs-belgium-6hjqwf0a08ce) — Belgium
- [Account Manager - Analytics, West Japan](https://feeny.ai/job/account-manager-analytics-west-japan-unchained-labs-tokyo-fnnww4sk2zgg) — Tokyo, Japan