Scientific Application Test Engineer III - Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Job Title: Scientific Application Test Engineer III – Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Job Location: San Jose, California

As part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll do meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

How will you make an impact?

As a Scientific Application Test Engineer III – Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry you will help ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of analytical instruments and scientific software used in chromatography and mass spectrometry workflows.

Working as part of a global Agile/Scrum team, you will combine hands-on laboratory instrumentation experience with software and system testing expertise. You will develop and execute verification strategies, evaluate end-to-end LC-MS and GC-MS workflows, troubleshoot complex instrument and software issues, and provide technical insight that helps deliver reliable, customer-focused products.

What will you do?

• Test analytical instruments and related software, including chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, and end-to-end LC-MS and GC-MS workflows .
• Independently connect, configure, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation.
• Develop and execute verification strategies, test plans, and test cases for instrument features, software capabilities, workflows, integrations, and product releases.
• Perform exploratory, regression, system, and release-readiness testing across integrated hardware and software environments.
• Identify verification gaps and technical risks and recommend appropriate testing approaches and coverage.
• Investigate, reproduce, document, and verify complex instrument, software, workflow, and integration defects.
• Assess customer impact, technical risk, and potential release implications of identified issues.
• Analyze recurring defects and contribute to preventive quality and testing improvements.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, product, project, and scientific teams to clarify requirements and improve product testability.
• Communicate technical findings, quality risks, test results, blockers, and release-readiness information to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Improve verification methods, instrument setup, documentation, workflows, and overall team efficiency.

How will you get here?

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physical science, life science, chemistry, bioinformatics, or a related discipline; or equivalent professional experience.

Experience

• Typically 3+ years of experience in product evaluation, software testing, laboratory systems, analytical instrumentation, scientific software, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with chromatography, mass spectrometry, instrument-control software, or related analytical technologies .
• Experience setting up, configuring, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instruments.
• Experience investigating and resolving instrument, software, workflow, or system-integration issues.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical chemistry and laboratory workflows.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage assigned responsibilities and provide clear technical recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across software, hardware, product, project, and scientific teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, matrixed, global environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with software testing methodologies, test management tools, and defect-tracking systems in an Agile environment.
• Experience developing or applying verification strategies for instruments, software, or integrated systems.
• Understanding of interactions among firmware, software, hardware, and instrument interfaces.
• Experience with software or hardware validation in a regulated environment.
• Familiarity with FDA expectations, Quality System Regulations, or laboratory compliance practices.
• Software testing certification, such as ISTQB.
• Project coordination or project management experience.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $90,900.00–$136,350.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: