Life Sciences Engineer SupervisorJob Overview Full-Time, Permanent | Onsite in Boston, Massachusetts An established life sciences engineering services team is seeking a Life Sciences Engineer Supervisor to lead a team of six field engineers supporting a major biopharmaceutical research campus. This role combines hands-on technical work with team leadership, offering an opportunity to apply advanced laboratory instrumentation expertise while developing engineering talent. Candidates should bring substantial experience servicing analytical laboratory equipment, practical people-management skills, and the ability to guide engineers through complex technical challenges.
Must Haves - Industry Experience: Five to ten or more years of professional experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing laboratory instrumentation.
- Mass Spectrometry Expertise: Hands-on experience servicing mass spectrometers from one or more manufacturers.
- Chromatography Knowledge: Practical experience with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems and related analytical instruments.
- People Management: Demonstrated experience supervising direct reports, conducting performance reviews, and overseeing day-to-day team operations.
- Advanced Troubleshooting: Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills, including the ability to resolve complex instrument issues and guide other engineers.
- Training and Mentorship: Ability to coach technical professionals, transfer specialized knowledge, and support the development of engineering capabilities.
- Communication Skills: Ability to communicate technical information, service priorities, and operational needs effectively to engineers, laboratory scientists, and leadership.
- Onsite Availability: Willingness to work onsite five days per week in Boston's Seaport district.
What the Client Needs You to Do The organization needs a technically experienced supervisor who can balance instrument service delivery with effective team leadership. You will oversee six field engineers while remaining actively involved in maintenance, repairs, technical escalations, and equipment training. In addition to developing employees and managing performance, you will contribute to equipment lifecycle decisions, budget planning, and service strategy. The ideal candidate will lead by example, encourage knowledge sharing, and maintain high standards of technical quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Key Responsibilities - Lead Engineering Personnel: Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of six field engineers through regular individual meetings, performance feedback, and annual evaluations.
- Manage Team Administration: Oversee daily personnel matters, review and approve employee timecards, and maintain appropriate performance management practices.
- Provide Technical Leadership: Act as the primary escalation resource for complex laboratory instrument failures, supporting engineers with systematic troubleshooting and repair strategies.
- Perform Instrument Maintenance: Complete preventive maintenance, diagnostic testing, and repairs on assigned laboratory equipment while maintaining responsibility for instrument performance.
- Deliver Technical Training: Cross-train engineers on additional instruments, emerging platforms, and new service requirements to strengthen team flexibility and technical coverage.
- Support Equipment Lifecycle Planning: Participate in budget preparation and assess whether instruments reaching the end of their warranty should be serviced internally or referred to the original manufacturer.
- Coordinate Cross-Site Support: Provide occasional engineering assistance to a satellite laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, based on operational requirements.
- Maintain Service Standards: Promote consistent maintenance procedures, reliable equipment performance, and effective resolution of technical service issues.
- Collaborate With Leadership: Coordinate with site leadership and engineering management on staffing, technical priorities, training needs, and operational planning.
- Balance Technical and Management Duties: Allocate time effectively between hands-on engineering and employee supervision, with approximately 60-70% of the role focused on engineering and training and 30-40% on management and administration.
Additional Information Employment Type: Full-time, permanent position.
Drug Screen: Required
Work Location: Boston Seaport district, near Fan Pier, Massachusetts.
Work Arrangement: Fully onsite, five days per week, with occasional flexibility for personal appointments where operational needs allow.
Reporting Structure: Reports to the site lead, with an additional reporting relationship to the head of engineering.
Working Hours: Flexible early start times may be available. Many team members begin between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM to accommodate laboratory schedules and commuting preferences.
Additional Site Coverage: Occasional support at a nearby Cambridge laboratory may be required, generally fewer than five visits annually.
Work Environment and Benefits: The role is based in a modern laboratory facility and offers complimentary onsite parking and daily breakfast in the facility café.
Compensation: Salary will be determined based on qualifications, technical expertise, and relevant leadership experience.
