What You'll Do:

The Instrumentation Specialist is the company-wide technical expert for ICP, LECO, and FIA instrumentation across Waypoint Analytical’s 8 laboratories. Based in Memphis, this position keeps these instruments running reliably, trains the analysts who operate and maintain them, and resolves problems that go beyond analyst-level troubleshooting. The Specialist also audits and reviews the procedures that govern these instruments, and leads the evaluation, installation, and rollout of new instrumentation and process improvements that shorten turnaround time (TAT) and strengthen data quality.

Instrument Maintenance

• Perform and schedule preventive and corrective maintenance on ICP-OES, LECO combustion analyzers, and flow injection analysis (FIA) systems at all 8 laboratories.
• Set maintenance standards and schedules so instruments are maintained consistently from lab to lab, and keep maintenance logs and service records complete and audit-ready.
• Manage critical spare parts and consumables, and coordinate with manufacturers and service vendors on service calls, warranty work, and service contracts.

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Serve as the escalation point when an instrument problem is outside the scope of analyst knowledge, both on site and remotely.
• Diagnose hardware, software, plumbing, gas, optical, and method-related failures; perform root cause analysis and put corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) in place to prevent recurrence.
• Minimize instrument downtime and its impact on sample turnaround, and share lessons learned across all locations.

Analyst Training

• Train analysts at each laboratory on routine operation, daily and weekly maintenance, calibration, and first-line troubleshooting of ICP, LECO, and FIA instruments.
• Develop training materials, checklists, and competency assessments, and document training records to meet quality system requirements.
• Build analyst capability so routine issues are resolved at the bench without escalation.

Internal Audits and SOP Review

• Conduct internal audits of operating procedures for ICP, LECO, and FIA instruments, verifying that maintenance, calibration, and QC practices follow approved SOPs.
• Review, write, and revise SOPs and work instructions so they are technically accurate, current, and consistent across all laboratories.
• Report audit findings to laboratory and quality management and follow corrective actions through to closure.
• Support external audits, accreditation assessments, and proficiency testing investigations as they relate to these instruments.

Process Improvement and New Instrumentation

• Identify opportunities to improve TAT, throughput, and data quality through equipment, method, and workflow improvements.
• Evaluate new and innovative instrumentation and technologies, and make recommendations supported by cost, capacity, and quality data.
• Lead installation, qualification/validation, and startup of new instruments, and train analysts on their use.
• Standardize instrument configurations and best practices across the laboratory network.

Travel and On-Site Support

• Travel regularly to all 8 laboratories to serve as the on-site technical specialist for training, maintenance, audits, and installations.
• Respond to urgent instrument failures that require on-site support, as needed.

What You'll Bring:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting ICP-OES, LECO combustion analyzers, and/or FIA systems, preferably in an agricultural, environmental, or other high-throughput testing laboratory.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory QA/QC practices, calibration, method validation, and documentation requirements.
• Experience writing SOPs, training others, and conducting or participating in internal audits.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Clear communicator who can teach technical concepts to analysts with a range of experience levels.
• Ability to travel frequently and overnight between laboratory locations; valid driver’s license and the ability to meet company travel requirements.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., and to stand, bend, and work in confined spaces around instruments for extended periods.

Preferred

• Manufacturer service training or certification on ICP, LECO, or FIA instrumentation.
• Experience with soil, plant tissue, feed, fertilizer, or water analysis.
• Experience with LIMS and instrument software/data systems.