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Automata was founded because modern lab automation was unnecessarily complex and actively restricting innovation. We're building the infrastructure that removes those constraints, so scientists can focus on discovery, not workarounds.
You're here to do the most important work of your career. We'll put the hardest engineering problems, the most ambitious customer accounts, and the most consequential science in front of you, and then get out of your way.
You'll have access to more information than you might expect, not all of it comfortable. You'll be trusted to act on it. And we'll hold you to the standard of referring back to our customers in every decision you make.
The stakes in Autonomous Labs and AI × Bio are enormous. Automata intends to win. Our culture makes that possible.
These four values describe how high performers operate here. You'll recognise them in the best people you work with, and they're what we'll hold each other to.
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Automata exists to create impact for our customers. Centralising the customer in our decisions leads to success for everyone.
This is also our priority order when trade-offs need to be made.
This doesn't mean the customer is always right. And we don't wield it to force bad decisions for short-term commercial wins.
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Act on the information you have. Don't wait for perfect.
No one blocks you as long as you're aligned with the first value — and you have permission to fail, provided you're learning and levelling up.
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We do our best work cross-functionally. But collaboration is not consensus, and it doesn't always require a meeting.
The best collaboration is light-touch and quick. You can't live "Action over Inaction" if every decision needs a committee.
Build trust through your behaviour and communication.
Collaborate with empathy, respect other people's time as well as your own.
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The business will give you the clarity and information you need to be successful, use it.
We hold ourselves and each other to high standards: deliver on commitments, own mistakes.
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Does → Make decisions oriented around both customer value and team or business outcomes.
Doesn't → Let agendas and political positioning drive conclusions.
Does → Consistently prioritise customer needs, proactively seek feedback, and tailor solutions to exceed expectations.
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Does → Operate with enough context beyond their own function to make joined-up decisions and hold healthy tension.
Doesn't → Optimise their domain only, at the expense of the whole.
Does → Adapt quickly when context changes — strong opinions lightly held.
Doesn't → Dig in JUST to be right, or conflate changing their mind with losing.
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Does → Engage in direct, well-intentioned challenge — including upward.
Doesn't → Agree in the room and undermine outside it.
Does → Seek out different viewpoints and experiences to generate innovative ideas and solutions.
Doesn’t → Cause delays seeking 100% consensus before moving forward
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Does → Is naturally curious, seeks to understand and raises problems with a proposed solution or a clear ask attached.
Doesn't → Surface issues then wait for others to carry them.
Does → Brings energy and drive that agitates the change that allows us to win.
Doesn't → Continuously cause friction which depletes energy, motivation and resources.
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These values aren't static. Feedback is always welcome. If you don't see these values reflected in how your team works, raise it with any leader.