Staff / Principal Industrial Engineer

Lila Sciences Lila Sciences · AI Frontier · One Charles Park, Cambridge, MA · Autonomous Science Platform

Seeking an Industrial Engineer to design and architect the physical layout of AI Science Factories, integrating lab instrumentation and robotics for high-throughput autonomous research. This role involves spatial planning, CAD modeling, and collaboration with various engineering and science teams to create efficient and scalable factory designs.

What you'd actually do

  1. Own the end-to-end factory layout, including spatial planning, adjacency mapping, and utility requirements
  2. Integrate lab instrumentation layouts from diverse scientific and engineering domains into a unified, high-performance factory design.
  3. Collaborate with hardware, robotics, science, automation, safety, and facilities teams to incorporate requirements for utilities, safety, accessibility, maintenance, and environmental controls.
  4. Build and maintain accurate 2D and 3D CAD models of the full factory layout; drive version control and change management for layout updates.
  5. Work with robotic teams to run simulations and scenario analyses to assess throughput, operational efficiency, and bottlenecks.

Skills

Required

  • BS/MS degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
  • Experience designing factory, lab, or production layouts in high-complexity environments.
  • Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., AutoCAD, REVIT, SolidWorks).
  • Strong understanding of workflow optimization, material flow, ergonomics, and spatial systems.
  • Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering and scientific teams.
  • Clear communication and documentation skills.

Nice to have

  • Experience with robotic or automated systems and their physical integration into facilities.
  • Familiarity with lab/industrial utility requirements (HVAC, gases, power, chemicals, drainage).
  • Experience in R&D facilities, pilot plants, or advanced automation environments.