Lab Engineer

Lab Engineer

The Lab Engineer is responsible for the installation support, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnosis, repair, and performance verification of analytical laboratory instrumentation and related equipment. The Lab Engineer will provide technical support to ensure that critical laboratory instruments remain operational, reliable, and compliant with applicable laboratory procedures and quality requirements. The position will primarily support chromatographic and mass spectrometry instrumentation, including HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and LC-MS systems. The Lab Engineer will work closely with laboratory analysts, laboratory management, vendors, and service providers to identify equipment issues, determine root causes, perform corrective actions, and minimize laboratory downtime.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain analytical laboratory instrumentation, including but not limited to HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and LC-MS systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PM), corrective maintenance, and routine service activities according to manufacturer recommendations and laboratory SOPs.
• Support instrumentation manufactured by Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and SCIEX/AB Sciex.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum, fluidic, electronic, software, and communication-related issues associated with laboratory instrumentation.
• Identify instrument failures and determine appropriate corrective actions to restore equipment to proper operating condition.
• Perform component replacement, adjustments, calibrations, alignments, leak checks, cleaning, and other service activities as required.
• Troubleshoot and maintain instrument modules and associated components, including pumps, autosamplers, injectors, detectors, columns/oven systems, gas systems, vacuum systems, ion sources, and related hardware.
• Support troubleshooting of instrument software, communication interfaces, data acquisition systems, and instrument-control computers.
• Perform post-repair testing and verification to confirm that instrumentation is operating within established specifications.
• Document all maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting activities, parts replaced, and instrument performance results accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain complete and accurate equipment service records, maintenance logs, and documentation in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Assist laboratory personnel with instrument troubleshooting and provide technical guidance when equipment-related issues affect analytical testing.
• Work with instrument manufacturers and third-party service providers when advanced technical support or specialized repairs are required.
• Assist with installation, qualification, relocation, and decommissioning of laboratory instrumentation as needed.
• Participate in root cause analysis and investigations related to instrument failures, recurring equipment problems, and laboratory downtime.
• Assist with equipment qualification, calibration, verification, and performance checks as required.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend preventive or corrective actions to improve instrument reliability.
• Maintain an adequate inventory of critical spare parts, tools, and maintenance supplies and notify management when replacements or additional materials are required.
• Participate in the development, review, and updating of equipment-related SOPs, maintenance procedures, and technical documentation.
• Maintain a safe and organized work area and follow all applicable laboratory, electrical, chemical, and equipment safety procedures.
• Collaborate with laboratory management and analytical staff to prioritize equipment repairs and minimize disruptions to laboratory operations.
• Assist with training laboratory personnel on proper instrument operation, basic troubleshooting, and routine maintenance when appropriate.

Travel Requirements:

Regular travel between company laboratory locations is required to perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, installations, and equipment-related projects. Expected travel: approximately 50–75%, depending on laboratory needs, equipment service requirements, and project schedules. Travel includes out-of-state travel. Overnight travel may be required for multi-day service projects, installations, equipment relocations, or specialized training. Occasional travel to instrument manufacturer facilities, technical training centers, or vendor locations may be required for training and professional development. Must be willing and able to travel on short notice when critical laboratory instrumentation requires urgent service. Must maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation for business travel between laboratory locations. Must be able to safely transport and handle tools, replacement parts, and equipment required to perform service activities.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Strong analytical and mechanical troubleshooting skills with the ability to systematically diagnose complex equipment problems.
• Hands-on technical aptitude and ability to work with precision tools, laboratory equipment, and instrumentation components.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, service documentation, and equipment specifications.
• Strong understanding of preventive and corrective maintenance principles.
• Ability to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate technical documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple service requests and prioritize repairs based on laboratory operational needs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to laboratory personnel and management.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate maintenance records.
• Ability to learn new instrumentation, technologies, software, and diagnostic procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment with changing priorities.
• Ability to occasionally work outside normal business hours when critical laboratory instrumentation requires urgent service.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related scientific or technical field.
• 1–5 years of professional experience after graduation in laboratory instrumentation, analytical instrumentation, equipment maintenance, field service, or a related technical environment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting and maintaining analytical laboratory instrumentation is strongly preferred.
• Experience with one or more of the following platforms is preferred: HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, LC-MS.
• Experience with instrumentation from Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and/or SCIEX/AB Sciex is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum, fluidic, and electronic systems used in analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, instrument diagnostics, and equipment repair.
• Laboratory or analytical chemistry experience is preferred.
• Experience in a regulated laboratory environment is a plus.
• Food science, environmental testing, pharmaceutical, clinical, chemical, or cannabis laboratory experience is a plus.

Other:

• Must pass Level 2 background check.
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Kaycha Labs offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision and time off. Kaycha Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.