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 San Carlos, CA. The scope of support includes facilitating and coordinating 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 equipment operations and equipment services. The Equipment Associate is also responsible for generating and updating AutoCAD drawings and communicating with various R&D teams and the Facilities as needed.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Serve as the point of contact for automation instruments coordination and communication
• Coordinate with vendors to facilitate the repair and maintenance of lab instruments such as sequencers and freezers
• Generate and update AutoCAD drawings for instrument placement and lab space planning
• Coordinate instrument installations and qualifications per equipment protocols
• Work with Quality Assurance to determine qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), calibration and preventive maintenance (PM) requirements to comply with regulations
• Communicate with vendors to generate price quotes and schedule PMs, calibrations, instrument repairs, and other services
• 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
• 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)
• Order supplies from internal and external sources as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• AA/AS OR BS/BA in biomedical engineering 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: 

• Experience in laboratory automation and/or operating high-throughput instruments
• Experience in AutoCAD
• 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
• Proficient in the concepts of DNA isolation and purification, PCR, cell culture, next-generation sequencing, and related techniques
• Familiar with LIMS

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)