Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
Job Title: Scientific Application Test Engineer III – Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry
Job Location: San Jose, California
How will you make an impact?As a Scientific Application Test Engineer III – Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry you will help ensure the quality, reliability, and performance of analytical instruments and scientific software used in chromatography and mass spectrometry workflows.
Working as part of a global Agile/Scrum team, you will combine hands-on laboratory instrumentation experience with software and system testing expertise. You will develop and execute verification strategies, evaluate end-to-end LC-MS and GC-MS workflows, troubleshoot complex instrument and software issues, and provide technical insight that helps deliver reliable, customer-focused products.
What will you do?- Test analytical instruments and related software, including chromatography systems, mass spectrometers, and end-to-end LC-MS and GC-MS workflows.
- Independently connect, configure, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation.
- Develop and execute verification strategies, test plans, and test cases for instrument features, software capabilities, workflows, integrations, and product releases.
- Perform exploratory, regression, system, and release-readiness testing across integrated hardware and software environments.
- Identify verification gaps and technical risks and recommend appropriate testing approaches and coverage.
- Investigate, reproduce, document, and verify complex instrument, software, workflow, and integration defects.
- Assess customer impact, technical risk, and potential release implications of identified issues.
- Analyze recurring defects and contribute to preventive quality and testing improvements.
- Collaborate with software, hardware, product, project, and scientific teams to clarify requirements and improve product testability.
- Communicate technical findings, quality risks, test results, blockers, and release-readiness information to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
- Improve verification methods, instrument setup, documentation, workflows, and overall team efficiency.
How will you get here?Education- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, physical science, life science, chemistry, bioinformatics, or a related discipline; or equivalent professional experience.
Experience- Typically 3+ years of experience in product evaluation, software testing, laboratory systems, analytical instrumentation, scientific software, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience with chromatography, mass spectrometry, instrument-control software, or related analytical technologies.
- Experience setting up, configuring, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory instruments.
- Experience investigating and resolving instrument, software, workflow, or system-integration issues.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analytical chemistry and laboratory workflows.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to independently manage assigned responsibilities and provide clear technical recommendations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical findings clearly.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across software, hardware, product, project, and scientific teams.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, matrixed, global environment.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with software testing methodologies, test management tools, and defect-tracking systems in an Agile environment.
- Experience developing or applying verification strategies for instruments, software, or integrated systems.
- Understanding of interactions among firmware, software, hardware, and instrument interfaces.
- Experience with software or hardware validation in a regulated environment.
- Familiarity with FDA expectations, Quality System Regulations, or laboratory compliance practices.
- Software testing certification, such as ISTQB.
- Project coordination or project management experience.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $90,900.00–$136,350.00.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
