Tech Associate IV

About the role

A typical day in this role focuses on keeping critical R&D instrumentation running reliably to support product support testing, sustaining work, and new product development. The day often begins with setting up, running, and monitoring daily assays on HPLC and BioPlex systems, verifying performance and documenting results. Throughout the day, the individual performs required calibrations and preventive maintenance, tracks instrument status, and ensures equipment is ready for internal customers and project timelines. When issues arise, they troubleshoot method, hardware, and software problems, perform repairs as needed, and coordinate service or parts to minimize downtime while maintaining accurate records of maintenance and corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure reliable daily operation of critical R&D instrumentation by setting up, running, and monitoring assays on HPLC and BioPlex systems, directly supporting product support testing, sustaining activities, and new product development timelines.
• Maintain instrument performance and compliance through routine calibrations, preventive maintenance, performance verification, and accurate documentation, ensuring data integrity and readiness for internal customers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues involving methods, hardware, and software, minimizing downtime and restoring instrument functionality to keep projects on track.
• Cook up repairs, service, and parts logistics while tracking instrument status and maintenance history, balancing rapid problem resolution with thorough recordkeeping and quality expectations.
• Serve as a technical enabler for R&D teams, proactively identifying risks, improving equipment reliability, and helping teams meet aggressive development and sustaining goals through dependable instrumentation support.

Requirements

• Education: A bachelor's degree or an associate degree, supplemented by equivalent experience in engineering, technical sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• Work Experience: 5+ years service/support experience in relevant industry. Hands-on experience with complex laboratory instrumentation, such as HPLC, BioPlex, or similar analytical systems, including assay execution, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting in an R&D, QC, or product support environment.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose method, hardware, and software issues independently, perform repairs, and determine when to escalate to service or engineering teams.
• Working knowledge of regulated or quality-driven environments, including accurate documentation, maintenance records, deviation tracking, and adherence to SOPs, data integrity expectations, and compliance requirements.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, enabling effective prioritization of instrument support, preventive maintenance, and urgent issues while supporting multiple projects and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset and communication skills, with experience supporting cross-functional teams (R&D, product support, sustaining, or manufacturing) and clearly communicating instrument status, risks, and timelines.

Qualifications

• Location: This position must be based in Hercules, CA and requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.

Skills

• Technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on experience with complex laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience in regulated or quality-driven environments.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Collaborative mindset and communication skills.

Benefits

• Total Rewards Package: Competitive and comprehensive benefits including medical plans, HSA funds, fertility offering, group life and disability, paid parental leave, 401k plus profit sharing, employee stock purchase program, mental health platform, learning and development opportunities, education benefits, student debt relief program, pet insurance, wellness challenges and support, paid time off, ERGs, and more!
• Compensation: The estimated base salary range for this position is $67,800 to $93,300 at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors.
• Variable annual bonus: Dependent upon achievement of your individual objectives and Company performance.

Pay

The estimated base salary range for this position is $67,800 to $93,300 at the time of posting.

Schedule

This position must be based in Hercules, CA and requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.