Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

About the Role

The Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals supports cigarette smoke generation and collection, sample receipt and preparation, and physical characterization testing for combustible and non-combustible tobacco, nicotine, and inhalable products within the insourced laboratory team as part of an End-to-End (E2E) Laboratory Modernization Program. This role operates within an ISO 17025 accredited analytical production laboratory at a client site and provides guidance to Technician staff.

Responsibilities

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain smoking machines and associated collection equipment used to generate and collect mainstream cigarette smoke under controlled laboratory conditions; assemble impinger systems and collection apparatus for carbonyls, ammonia, VOCs, and other smoke constituents.
• Perform smoke sample preparation and support analyses used to quantify total particulate matter (TPM) and carbon monoxide.
• Receive, log, and prepare samples for analytical testing in accordance with established procedures and chain-of-custody requirements, including preparation and digestion supporting chromatographic, elemental, aerosol, and physical testing laboratories.
• Perform physical characterization testing, including moisture content, water activity, density, pH, particle size, dimensional measurements, resistance-to-draw, and ventilation assessments.
• Perform measurements used to evaluate product dimensions, circumference, length, and tobacco weight characteristics.
• Prepare reagents, solvents, and consumables required to support downstream analytical workflows across smoke, prep, and physical testing activities.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain specialized physical testing and smoke collection instrumentation and associated laboratory equipment.
• Verify equipment performance and ensure testing activities comply with established procedures and quality requirements.
• Review analytical data and laboratory records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and collection systems and participate in investigations involving atypical results, deviations, and equipment issues.
• Support method validation, equipment qualification, and technology transfer activities across smoke, prep, and physical testing methodologies.
• Maintain sample traceability and chain-of-custody, and accurate laboratory documentation in accordance with ISO 17025 requirements.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists across multiple testing programs to ensure samples and results are prepared and generated efficiently and consistently.
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced personnel as appropriate to level.
• Maintain training and compliance in health, safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Train and provide day-to-day guidance to Technician staff on prep procedures, SOPs, and safe work practices.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of routine preparation equipment and escalate complex issues appropriately.
• Perform quality checks on completed prep work prior to hand-off for analysis.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked work area, including routine housekeeping and supply inventory.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of relevant laboratory or manufacturing experience.
• OR Associate degree in a science-related field with 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and mentor others in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple concurrent prep tasks with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating smoking machines and aerosol collection systems; familiarity with tobacco smoke chemistry and regulatory testing methodologies.
• Experience performing sample preparation and digestion procedures supporting chromatography and elemental analyses.
• Experience performing physical characterization of consumer products, including particle size analysis, moisture/water activity, and dimensional measurement systems.
• Experience with LIMS and electronic laboratory documentation systems.
• Experience within ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP environments.
• Knowledge of tobacco and nicotine product testing requirements.
• Experience supporting method validation and technology transfer activities.

Skills

• Knowledge of smoking machine operation, calibration, and aerosol/smoke capture methodologies.
• Knowledge of physical characterization methods (pH, moisture, density, particle size, dimensional, resistance-to-draw).
• Strong understanding of sample handling, preparation, digestion, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Understanding of laboratory quality systems and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple analytical groups and testing programs.

Working Environment

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.).
• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time.
• Occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite.
• Frequently operate instruments, objects, tools, or controls, requiring regularly bending, squatting, stretching, and reaching.
• Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required include close-range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• May be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

Pay

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $50,000 to $60,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.