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Watchmaker Genomics

High-performance enzymes for genomics workflows

Lab Manager - R&D/Process Development

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$85k - $95k+ Bonus + Equity
Senior
Bachelor's
Boulder, CO, USA
In PersonOnsite in Boulder, Colorado; local candidates preferred.
Facilities OperationsFacilities Management

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree and five years of experience are required.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail are required.
  • The ability to multitask, work to a high standard, perform consistently under pressure and predetermined deadlines, and work without supervision is required.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member are required.
  • Good communication, personal task management, self-motivation, and initiative are required.
  • A creative and disciplined approach to problem-solving is required.
  • Time management and prioritization under deadlines are required.
  • High accuracy in documentation, record-keeping, and reporting is required.
Responsibilities
  • Manage day-to-day R&D and process development laboratory operations.
  • Coordinate laboratory organization and workspace management.
  • Support ad hoc laboratory and equipment needs for R&D and process development teams.
  • Approve standard-level purchase orders within the company’s enterprise resource planning system.
  • Manage R&D and process development equipment inventory within the computerized maintenance management system.
  • Coordinate preventative maintenance and calibration schedules.
  • Schedule and manage external service providers.
  • Perform selected equipment maintenance activities in-house when appropriate, including autoclaves, sequencers, and other instrumentation.
  • Support troubleshooting and service coordination for laboratory equipment.
  • Manage laboratory consumables and supplies, using Kanban where applicable.
  • Coordinate inventory levels and ordering.
  • Act as requisitioner and first-tier approver for R&D and process development groups.
  • Support distribution and organization of laboratory materials.
  • Manage freezer organization and storage standards.
  • Coordinate preventative maintenance and defrost schedules, and assist with defrost activities.
  • Monitor freezer performance.
  • Assist with freezer alarm response and escalation processes.
  • Oversee R&D laboratory chemical inventory management.
  • Support R&D laboratory environmental health and safety initiatives and compliance activities.
  • Ensure laboratories maintain safe and organized operating conditions.
  • Support R&D and process development capital expenditure planning and requests.
  • Assist with equipment evaluations, procurement, and implementation.
  • Support budgeting activities related to laboratory operations and equipment.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in biotechnology and a start-up environment is highly desirable.
  • Previous experience with a computerized maintenance management system is desirable.
  • Experience with the Google Office suite of tools is desirable.
  • Familiarity with standard laboratory equipment and consumables is desirable.

About the company

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Watchmaker Genomics

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Website

Watchmaker Genomics develops specialized enzymes and tailored solutions used to read, write, and edit DNA for high-growth molecular biology companies. These enzymes act as biological tools that drive critical workflows like DNA sequencing and synthesis, supported by custom manufacturing and quality control processes. The company distinguishes itself through a leadership team with deep industry experience in enzyme supply chains and a focus on creating bespoke products through collaborative research partnerships. Its goal is to accelerate genomic research and diagnostics by providing high-performance tools that improve the speed and accuracy of genetic data processing.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Series A

Total Funding

$48.3M

Headquarters

Boulder, Colorado

Founded

2019

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 2026 Boulder lease more than doubles capacity and signals customer demand.
  • Callisto Complete Kit and ESHG 2026 launches broaden partnerships with Volta Labs and diagnostics developers.
  • Workforce growth above 35% in 12 months shows hiring momentum before 2027 startup.

What critics are saying

  • biomodal's November 2025 Colorado lawsuit threatens TAPS+ sales, injunctions, and licensing costs.
  • Boulder capacity stays offline until second-half 2027, delaying revenue while lease expense starts now.
  • Any TAPS+ injunction would cripple a flagship product and expose Watchmaker's platform credibility.

What makes Watchmaker Genomics unique

  • Trey Foskett and Stephen Picone built Watchmaker on proven Enzymatics and Kapa playbooks.
  • ISO 13485 quality systems and Cape Town manufacturing support regulated diagnostics customers.
  • Engineered enzymes target sequencing bottlenecks across PCR-free, normalization, and error-correction workflows.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Holidays

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

1%
Watchmaker Genomics
Oct 15th, 2026
Watchmaker Genomics rethinks Whole Genome Sequencing with Expanse(TM).

Watchmaker Genomics rethinks Whole Genome Sequencing with Expanse(TM). - October 15, 2026 New approach to PCR-free whole genome sequencing debuts at ASHG 2026 as Early Access begins. BOULDER, Colo. - October 15, 2026 - Watchmaker Genomics today announced the introduction of Expanse(TM) Whole Genome Sequencing, a fundamentally new approach to PCR-free WGS that integrates library preparation and normalization into a single workflow. The company will preview Expanse at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2026 Annual Meeting as it opens its Early Access program. PCR-free whole genome sequencing offers significant advantages in data quality, but realizing those benefits consistently and at scale remains challenging. Achieving uniform coverage at target depth depends on precise library quantification and pooling, processes that traditionally involve labor-intensive qPCR and dilution steps prone to variability and error. High DNA input requirements and limited compatibility with challenging sample types introduce additional barriers, making PCR-free WGS difficult to scale across diverse samples and applications. Expanse takes a fundamentally different approach, integrating Watchmaker's novel EquiPlex(TM) Cas9-mediated normalization technology directly into a fully automatable PCR-free library preparation workflow. By eliminating qPCR and manual normalization, the solution removes key processing bottlenecks while delivering balanced library representation and more uniform sequencing coverage. Beyond normalization, Expanse combines key workflow optimizations to maximize usable sequencing data from every flow cell lane. Cas9-mediated normalization inherently enriches for sequencing-competent molecules, while robust library preparation chemistry delivers consistent insert sizes across a variety of DNA inputs. Together, these advances improve sequencing efficiency and flow cell utilization. The integrated workflow takes sample DNA to a normalized, sequencing-ready library pool in approximately 2.5 hours, supports inputs as low as 75 ng, and accommodates diverse sample types, including FFPE. "Sequencing capacity has advanced dramatically, but the workflows used to prepare samples haven't kept pace," said Trey Foskett, CEO of Watchmaker Genomics. "With Expanse, we're not simply making individual steps faster. We're fundamentally changing how libraries are prepared and normalized to make high-quality PCR-free WGS more practical at scale." Expanse builds on a series of innovations introduced by Watchmaker earlier this year. In February, the company announced a licensing agreement with Caribou Biosciences supporting its novel application of CRISPR-Cas9 as a normalizing molecular binding tool rather than a cutting enzyme. This technology powered the launch of the EquiPlex(TM) Normalization Kit at ESHG 2026, with potential applications extending to PCR-free cfDNA sequencing. Expanse takes the technology further, integrating normalization directly into the WGS workflow to address longstanding barriers to scalability and sequencing efficiency. Watchmaker will share early Expanse performance data at ASHG 2026 in a presentation titled "From Bottlenecks to Breakthroughs: Unlocking High-Quality WGS at Scale" on October 22 at 4:15 PM ET in CoLab Theater 2. The presentation will highlight results across reference DNA, blood, saliva, and FFPE samples, demonstrating the potential of this integrated approach to improve sequencing efficiency, coverage uniformity, and variant-calling performance. The company is also inviting select laboratories to participate in the Expanse Early Access program ahead of broader commercial availability. To learn more, visit the Expanse Product Page or connect with the Watchmaker team at ASHG booth 1022. About Watchmaker Genomics Watchmaker Genomics is a life sciences company focused on developing high-performance tools that empower genomic research and clinical applications. Leveraging expertise in protein engineering and next-generation sequencing, Watchmaker delivers precision reagents and platforms that enable superior accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in molecular analysis. The company is dedicated to advancing breakthrough technologies to support innovations in cancer detection, epigenetics, and liquid biopsy applications. Media contacts. Watchmaker Genomics Jen Pavlica VP, Marketing [email protected] Sciad Communications, Media Relations Jasmin Shearan [email protected] +442034057892

BizWest Media LLC
Sep 2nd, 2026
Watchmaker Genomics leases 100K SF in Boulder's Flatiron Park.

Watchmaker Genomics leases 100K SF in Boulder's Flatiron Park. Life-sciences firm Watchmaker Genomics Inc. has more than doubled its manufacturing capacity with a recently inked lease for about 100,000 square feet of production space in Boulder's Flatiron Park business campus. Already have a paid subscription? A Maryland native, Lucas has worked at news agencies from Wyoming to South Carolina before putting roots down in Colorado.

BridgeTower Media
Sep 1st, 2026
SENS doubles Longmont manufacturing space with new 105,000-square-foot facility.

SENS doubles Longmont manufacturing space with new 105,000-square-foot facility. Watchmaker Genomics leases 100,000-square-foot facility in Boulder. In brief: * Watchmaker Genomics signs lease for 100,000 square feet * Facility located at Flatiron Park in Boulder * Expansion expected to create hundreds of Colorado jobs * CEO Trey Foskett highlights investment in manufacturing capabilities BOULDER, Colo. - Watchmaker Genomics has signed a long-term lease for about 100,000 square feet at Flatiron Park in Boulder, a move the company said will more than double its manufacturing capacity. The facility is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2027 after construction and qualification are completed. Watchmaker said the expansion could create hundreds of Colorado jobs, with hiring occurring in phases. The Boulder-based company develops and manufactures reagents used in genomics and molecular diagnostics. The new facility will house manufacturing, research and development, quality and operations teams. It also will support work governed by the company's ISO 13485-certified quality management system. "We are investing in the infrastructure, quality systems and manufacturing capabilities required to serve genomics and molecular diagnostics companies at commercial scale," CEO and co-founder Trey Foskett said. Watchmaker said its Colorado workforce has grown by more than 35% during the past year. The Boulder expansion will complement its operations in Cape Town, South Africa. Chris Wiley of Colliers represented Watchmaker in the lease transaction. Blake Harris and Erik Abrahamson of CBRE represented the landlord.

Watchmaker Genomics
Sep 1st, 2026
Watchmaker Genomics expands Boulder Manufacturing campus to more than double manufacturing capacity.

Watchmaker Genomics expands Boulder Manufacturing campus to more than double manufacturing capacity. - September 01, 2026 100,000-square-foot facility will support growing customer demand and create hundreds of new Colorado jobs. BOULDER, Colo. - Watchmaker Genomics, a developer and manufacturer of precision reagents for genomics and molecular diagnostics, today announced that it has signed a long-term lease for approximately 100,000 square feet at Flatiron Park in Boulder, Colorado. The facility will more than double Watchmaker's manufacturing capacity and provide room for continued growth across R&D, quality, logistics, and other key functions. The expansion is expected to support hundreds of new Colorado jobs over the coming years, with hiring occurring in phases as the campus comes online. The site is expected to become operational in the second half of 2027, following completion and qualification. As customer demand continues to grow, the new campus will provide the capacity and infrastructure needed to support reliable supply worldwide. The expanded facility will support customers from initial development through to commercialization. "This is an important milestone for Watchmaker," said Trey Foskett, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Watchmaker Genomics. "We are investing in the infrastructure, quality systems, and manufacturing capabilities required to serve leading genomics and molecular diagnostics companies at commercial scale. It reflects our confidence in the future of precision genetic testing, the strength of our team, and Boulder as a place to build a world-class life science company." The Flatiron Park facility will serve as the Watchmaker Boulder Manufacturing Center of Excellence for reagent manufacturing and will house the company's manufacturing, quality, R&D, and operations teams. It will also support the expansion of activities governed by Watchmaker's ISO 13485-certified quality management system. Watchmaker's decision to expand in Boulder underscores Colorado's Front Range region as a center for scientific innovation, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. The investment reflects Watchmaker's long-term commitment to Colorado, where the company's workforce has grown by more than 35% in the last 12 months. Building on continued growth at Watchmaker's Cape Town operations, the new Boulder campus further develops the company's globally connected research, development, and manufacturing network. Together, the sites support customers and partners across North America, Europe, and Asia. The expansion comes during a period of significant momentum for Watchmaker Genomics, marked by the launch of several new genomics solutions over the past year and receipt of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Exporting, recognizing the company's international growth and contribution to Colorado's economy. "This expansion is about more than square footage," said Brian Deneau, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Watchmaker Genomics. "It creates the operational foundation for our next stage of growth and strengthens our ability to pair technical innovation with rigorous quality systems and dependable manufacturing." Chris Wiley of Colliers represented Watchmaker Genomics in the lease transaction. Blake Harris and Erik Abrahamson with CBRE represented the landlord. About Watchmaker Genomics. Watchmaker Genomics is a life sciences company focused on developing high-performance tools that empower genomic research and clinical applications. Leveraging expertise in protein engineering and next-generation sequencing, Watchmaker delivers precision reagents and platforms that enable superior accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in molecular analysis. The company is dedicated to advancing breakthrough technologies to support innovations in cancer detection, epigenetics, and liquid biopsy applications. Media contacts. Watchmaker Genomics Jen Pavlica VP, Marketing [email protected] Sciad Communications, Media Relations Jasmin Shearan [email protected] +442034057892

The Montreal Gazette
Jun 9th, 2026
Watchmaker to unveil new technologies addressing NGS workflow bottlenecks and sequencing accuracy challenges at ESHG 2026.

Watchmaker to unveil new technologies addressing NGS workflow bottlenecks and sequencing accuracy challenges at ESHG 2026. New technologies advance scalable library normalization for high-throughput genomics labs and improved amplification accuracy for oncology-focused sequencing workflows where data quality is critical BOULDER, Colo. - Watchmaker Genomics, a leader in high-performance NGS workflow solutions, today announced it will unveil two new technologies at the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) 2026 conference, designed to...