MES Application Engineer

Job Description

This is a 12-month contract role.

The MES Application Engineer develops, configures, deploys, and continuously improves Tulip Manufacturing Execution System applications for the Petaluma manufacturing site. The role translates manufacturing and quality requirements into reliable operator workflows, electronic records, data collection, equipment interfaces, and system integrations. Working cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Automation, IT, and external partners, this position supports new customer-specific workstreams, instrument implementations, production troubleshooting, validation, and the long-term scalability of the site’s digital manufacturing systems.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to capably perform each of the following essential duties:

• Business Impact: Develop, configure, test, deploy, and maintain Tulip applications that support oligonucleotide manufacturing operations and new customer-specific production workflows.
• Innovation & Change: Translate process requirements into practical digital solutions, exercising sound technical judgment while following approved architecture, validation, and change-control practices.
• Type of Work: Deliver hands-on application configuration, integration, testing, documentation, production support, and continuous improvement across both project and operational work.
• Key Stakeholders: Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Process Engineering, Automation, IT, program teams, equipment suppliers, and Tulip specialists to design and implement fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Communications: Document requirements, designs, test evidence, change records, troubleshooting outcomes, training materials, and user guidance clearly for technical and non-technical audiences.
• People Management: This is an individual-contributor role with no direct reports; the role may lead technical workstreams, coordinate vendors, and coach application users and subject-matter experts.
• Process Oversight: Own the application lifecycle for assigned Tulip solutions, including requirements, configuration, version control, testing, release, monitoring, support, and controlled updates.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the site subject-matter expert for Tulip application development, operator workflow design, electronic records, data collection, and manufacturing-system interfaces.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to reduce manual entry, improve usability and traceability, strengthen error prevention, and increase the efficiency and reliability of manufacturing workflows.
• Data & Metrics: Configure dashboards and reporting; monitor application performance, data quality, adoption, support issues, and workflow effectiveness using agreed measures.
• Physical Demands: Work primarily at a computer with regular time on the manufacturing floor for observation, testing, deployment, user support, and equipment-interface activities.
• Policy & Standards Compliance: Follow applicable LGC quality, safety, cybersecurity, data-integrity, documentation, validation, and change-control requirements, including ALCOA+ principles where applicable.
• Other Duties As Assigned: Perform other duties as required or assigned by management to meet business needs.
• Support integrations between Tulip and approved databases, cloud services, APIs, enterprise systems, and manufacturing or laboratory equipment, including file generation, file parsing, and data exchange where in scope.

Qualifications

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, manufacturing systems, biotechnology, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Three or more years of experience in manufacturing systems, MES, industrial automation, application development, or a comparable technical environment.
• Experience configuring or developing applications on Tulip or a comparable low-code manufacturing platform, with the ability to translate process requirements into maintainable workflows.
• Working knowledge of SQL and relational data concepts, APIs or web services, structured data exchange, and system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated ability to gather requirements, document solutions, test changes, resolve production issues, and communicate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft 365 applications and disciplined technical documentation practices.

Desired Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Direct experience developing and supporting Tulip MES applications in a production environment.
• Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Python, AWS services, databases, and integration patterns that support calculations, data processing, or file-based instrument workflows.
• Familiarity with validation, change control, GMP or ISO quality systems, cybersecurity, and ALCOA+ data-integrity expectations.
• Experience integrating manufacturing or laboratory equipment, ERP systems, analytical instruments, or automation platforms such as liquid handlers and synthesizers.

Behavioural and Interpersonal Competencies:

• Resonate and operate in line with LGC’s core value behaviours: Passion, Curiosity, Integrity, Brilliance, and Respect.
• Build effective working relationships with manufacturing users, technical teams, quality partners, vendors, and stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Collaborate effectively in cross-functional teams and positively influence decisions through clear evidence, practical recommendations, and respectful challenge.
• Work autonomously, take ownership, and recognize when stakeholder engagement, technical escalation, or quality review is required.
• Apply structured problem-solving skills to analyze data, isolate root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Adapt to evolving customer, process, and technology requirements while managing multiple priorities in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Deliver commitments reliably, balancing speed, quality, maintainability, compliance, and business value.
• Promote cooperation, knowledge sharing, and user ownership to achieve successful deployment and adoption.
• Maintain a strong internal-customer focus and respond appropriately to production support needs.
• Demonstrate curiosity and persistence when addressing complex manufacturing-process and systems problems.
• Communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Exercise professional judgment, tact, diplomacy, and appropriate care when handling confidential or proprietary information.

Additional Information

What we offer (US based-employees):

• Competitive compensation with strong bonus program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for employees and dependents
• FSA/HSA Pre-tax savings plans for health care, childcare, and elder care
• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity programs
• 401(k) retirement plan with matching employer contribution
• Company-paid short- and long- term disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program
• Pet Insurance for our furry friends
• 8 weeks of parental leave for qualifying life event
• Town Hall monthly meeting onsite/virtual, Cheer program where employees are recognized for outstanding work, Companywide social events, frequent catered lunches and much more!

The typical pay range for this role is: Salary Range: $112,211 (Minimum) - $168,316 (Maximum)

This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated salary range for the California -based position. The actual base salary will depend on several factors such as: experience, skills, and location.

…