Automation Engineer
IFF · Palo Alto, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $130k–$150k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at IFF (chemicals) in Palo Alto, CA. Design, build, optimize, and scale automated laboratory workflows that improve efficiency, quality, and scientific outcomes.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Robotics, Automation
- Base pay
- $130k–$150k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$178k. This one lists $130k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 57 live postings that list pay, out of 114 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 113 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 7% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $123k–$178k, from 54 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 72%
- PLC 46%
- ✓ Robotics 43%
- ✓ Python 34%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 34%
- Root cause 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at IFF
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from IFFAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
Are you passionate about advancing scientific discovery through laboratory automation and innovative technologies?
IFF is a global leader in enzymes, ingredients, health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life-enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets.
The role is based in Palo Alto, California (on-site role). Be part of an innovative, collaborative, and solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration. Where You'll Make a Difference
- ◆Partner with Research & Development scientists to identify automation opportunities and implement high-throughput and automated laboratory solutions.
- ◆Design, build, optimize, and scale automated laboratory workflows that improve efficiency, quality, and scientific outcomes.
- ◆Translate molecular biology, biochemistry, and analytical workflows into automated protocols and robust laboratory processes.
- ◆Evaluate emerging technologies, instruments, and automation platforms to support innovation and continuous improvement.
- ◆Leverage data and scientific insights to identify process improvements and enhance data quality and metadata capture.
- ◆Provide technical support for laboratory automation hardware and software, coordinating maintenance and troubleshooting.
- ◆Collaborate with data science, Information Technology, and facility teams to strengthen data management capabilities.
- ◆Support laboratory operations and infrastructure to ensure efficient execution of research activities.
- ◆Partner with global teams to support technology transfers and promote best practices across research sites.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
What Makes You the Right Fit
- •Master's degree or higher in Life Sciences, Engineering, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field.
- •Minimum of 7 years of experience in laboratory automation.
- •Designed, developed, and maintained low-level control software and device integrations for laboratory instruments or robotic devices.
- •Demonstrated expertise translating wet-lab biologics workflows into automated solutions, with experience in building, programming and orchestrating integrated laboratory systems, and operating automated liquid-handling, sample-handling, and laboratory robotics.
- •Experience supporting high-throughput screening workflows.
- •Programming experience with Python or similar languages.
- •Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- •Experience collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
- •Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
How Would You Stand Out?
- •Experience evaluating and implementing emerging laboratory automation technologies.
- •Demonstrated ability to translate laboratory workflows into automation concepts, collaborate with vendors, completed factory and site acceptance testing, and successfully implement the system in the laboratory
- •Low level programming of laboratory instruments or robotics devices
- •Knowledge of laboratory data management systems and scientific data infrastructure.
- •Adaptable, proactive, and continuously focused on learning and process improvement.
- •Strong communication and interpersonal skills to help solve and innovate the technical processes and advancements in automating laboratory tools.
Why Choose Us?
- •Competitive Benefits (US): Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k), vacation, holidays, 16 weeks paid parental leave (maternity and paternity), and an annual bonus plan. IFF was also recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Perks & Benefits.
- •Diversity & Inclusion (US): IFF has been recognized previously in the US on the Disability Equality Index® – Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion
- •Innovation: Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and trailblazing advancements in biotechnology. Meaningful work helping advance solutions for protein & strain engineering, biochemistry and related technologies.
- •Global Collaboration: Be part of a global organization that values innovation, creativity, and collaborating amongst our diverse, cross-functional teams
- •Sustainability: Contribute to solutions that support a safer, healthier, and more sustainable world. IFF was recognized on the Forbes Net Zero Leaders 2026 list within the chemicals/materials sector.