Staff Full Stack Engineer
Automata is transforming the way labs work with open, integrated automation. Our mission is to unlock the potential of labs and the potential of the people who work in them.
Level: 5
Role Type: Permanent or Contract
Location: Hybrid - work on site in our London office 3x/wk
The Mission
Our platform is at the bleeding edge of life sciences automation. It already saves lives — but our next challenge is scaling it globally, bridging cloud + edge, backend + frontend, infrastructure + product.
This is your chance to work as a staff-level Full Stack Engineer on problems that are both technically complex and deeply meaningful. You’ll help shape how our platform runs — from distributed data pipelines to edge-deployed solutions powering labs across the world.
The Role
As a Staff Full Stack Engineer, you’ll be a hands-on contributor who can move fluidly across the stack while also influencing architecture and direction. Your primary strength will be in Python and backend engineering, but you’ll also bring experience with containerisation, distributed infra, and frontend development where needed.
You’ll design systems that work not just in AWS, but also at the edge — turning ambitious product goals into scalable, production-ready solutions.
What You’ll Do
Backend & Infra: Build robust Python-based services, with strong containerisation and orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker).
Distributed Systems: Work with technologies like NATS, ScyllaDB, Authentik, Vault, Traefik, Consul to deliver resilient, scalable services.
Cloud + Edge Deployments: Design solutions that span AWS cloud and edge clusters, including hybrid IoT/edge architectures.
Frontend Contribution: Support product delivery by contributing to the JavaScript/React frontend when needed.
Influence Direction: Help shape architecture and technology choices across the stack.
Deliver at Pace: Thrive in a high-performance team that moves quickly but builds for scale.
What You Bring
Strong expertise in Python development.
Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, Docker, and containerised services.
Familiarity with NATS, ScyllaDB, Authentik, Vault, Traefik, Consul (some, not all, required).
Experience in hybrid deployments (AWS + edge), ideally with IoT or edge-deployed solutions.
Willingness to contribute to the frontend using JavaScript/React.
Startup/scaleup experience — you know how to ship quickly without cutting corners.
Nice to Have
Deep IoT or edge solution engineering experience.
Broader frontend development experience.
Exposure to mission-critical industries (life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing).
Why Join Us
Work at the intersection of backend, cloud, edge, and frontend — a true fullstack role.
Build systems that directly impact global scientific research and human health.
Join a senior, high-calibre engineering team working closely with product and design.
Hybrid working: 3 days in our London office, with balance for focus time.
Competitive package, plus the opportunity to do career-defining, meaningful work.
🚀 If you’re a staff-level full stack engineer who thrives across Python, infra, and edge — and wants to build products with global impact — this is your role.
Private healthcare that incentives a healthy lifestyle
👀 Eye Care
Get your eyes tested once a year on us!
Sacrifice some of your monthly salary in exchange for a company car, provided by your Employer
🚲 Salary Sacrifice - Bike & Tech
Sacrifice some of your monthly salary in exchange for bike and tech products, provided by your Employer
🧘🏼♀️ Wellbeing & Support
Support for both your physical and mental health
☀️ Wellbeing & Development Allowance
Invest in your own well-being, personal growth, and hobbies
💙 Spill & Employee Assistance Programme
Access the therapy for you and your family through Spill
Time off for dependents, 'Me days', and volunteering days off
Plan for retirement with NEST
🫂 Group Life & Critical Illness cover
Life insurance - for a piece of mind
🎂 Birthday
Time off for your Birthday
We are an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.
- Locations
- London
Colleagues
London
Already working at Automata?
Let’s recruit together and find your next colleague.