Equipment Associate

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Equipment Associate is primarily responsible for the service and support of instruments utilized in the R&D laboratory based in Austin, TX. The scope of support includes installation, calibration, maintenance, repair, and documentation of activities for all equipment in the laboratory. The Equipment Associate will be the primary point of contact for R&D lab personnel regarding safe equipment operations and equipment services. The Equipment Associate is also responsible for assisting laboratory support personnel with critical tasks such as inventory management, supply ordering, laboratory safety checks and audits, corrective actions, and communication with various R&D teams as needed.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Coordinate and/or perform instrument installations and qualifications per equipment protocols
• Diagnose and troubleshoot any system concerns to minimize downtime
• Work with Quality Assurance to determine qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), calibration and preventive maintenance (PM) requirements so as to comply with regulations
• Communicate with vendors to generate price quotes and schedule PMs, calibrations, instrument repairs, and other services.
• Maintain a program for PM, routine maintenance and calibration to ensure all lab equipment remains fit for purpose
• Prepare equipment SOPs. Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures
• Track all service activities utilizing system(s) developed in accordance with service procedures and laboratory policies
• Ensure all service documentation is complete, timely, and accurate following Good Documentation Practices (GDP)
• Perform inventory checks for R&D lab spaces and replenish supplies as needed
• Order supplies from internal and external sources as needed
• Perform regular safety checks and assist with Safety audits as well as perform any corrective actions needed that may result from safety audits/checks
• Communicate with various members of the R&D team to schedule instrument downtime for maintenance or repairs, inform them of supply deliveries, update them about the status of requests, etc

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• BS/BA in biomedical engineering, biological sciences or related fields
• Industry-related experience, especially in supporting lab equipment, preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 

• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and accuracy
• Excellent adaptability in a fast-changing environment
• Self-motivated
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and responsibility
• Comply with company policies

Preferred skills:

• Familiar with IQ/OQ/PQ of instruments
• Experience working in BSLI and BSLII laboratories as well as familiarity with Biosafety requirements and guidelines as established by applicable regulatory bodies such as OSHA and CDC
• Familiar with DNA Isolation and Purification, PCR, Cell Culture, Next Generation Sequencing, etc
• Familiar with LIMS
• Experience in automation and/or operating high-throughput instruments

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Duties are typically performed in an office and/or laboratory setting
• This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone and read printed material
• Ability to lift 40lbs
• This position requires the ability to squat, bend, and reach
• Duties may occasionally require working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends)

The pay range is listed and actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years & depth of experience, certifications and specific office location. This may differ in other locations due to cost of labor considerations. Austin, TX $19.90—$25 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

For more information, visit

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents. 

Link:

Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.

For more information:
- BBB announcement on job scams 
- FBI Cyber Crime resource page