Instrument Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Location: On-site — Lakewood, CO (National Water Quality Laboratory)

About the Role

We are hiring an Instrument Specialist to keep a busy environmental analytical laboratory running at peak performance. You'll deliver expert-level maintenance, calibration, and repair on Agilent GC/MS systems and provide multi-instrument support across a diverse laboratory fleet. If you love diagnosing tough instrument problems and enabling great science, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities

•Deliver expert-level maintenance, calibration, tuning, troubleshooting, and repair of Agilent GC/MS systems (e.g., 7890/8890 GC, 5975/5977 MSD, 7000-series GC-MS/MS) and sample-introduction modules (autosampler, headspace, purge-and-trap, SPME, thermal desorption)

•Diagnose and resolve performance issues such as low sensitivity, high background, mass-axis drift, peak tailing/fronting, carryover, tune failures, and vacuum instability; perform root-cause analysis across the instrument chain

•Provide multi-instrument support for the broader lab fleet: LC/MS/MS, IC, ICP-MS/OES/AA, TOC/TIC, discrete analyzers, UV-Vis, balances, ovens, and bench meters

•Design and maintain preventive-maintenance programs; keep instrument logs, PM schedules, tune/calibration records, and spare-parts inventories

•Develop and update SOPs and work instructions; coordinate OEM/vendor service when needed

•Provide hands-on training and quick-reference guides to laboratory staff

Required Qualifications

•Demonstrated hands-on experience maintaining and repairing Agilent GC/MS systems and multiple sample-introduction modules

•Proven ability to troubleshoot and repair a range of analytical instruments beyond GC/MS

•Resourcefulness in reading technical documentation and consulting manufacturers to resolve issues

•Strong communication and training skills for a fast-paced lab environment

•Ability to obtain and maintain a federal background investigation; U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency

Preferred Qualifications

•Manufacturer (Agilent) training or certifications

•Experience in an environmental, drinking-water, or NELAC/ISO 17025-accredited laboratory

•Familiarity with LIMS and instrument data systems

About Akicita FederalAkicita Federal is a Native American-owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program-support services across the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. We hire the people who do the work — clinicians, analysts, engineers, support staff — and we treat them like the professionals they are.

Equal Opportunity EmployerAkicita Federal is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Akicita Federal complies with the Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) where applicable.