Lab Equipment Specialist

Job Title: Lab Equipment Specialist Job Description
The Lab Equipment Specialist maintains and optimizes complex laboratory instrumentation to support accurate, efficient, and compliant analytical operations. This role focuses on calibration, repair, qualification review, and troubleshooting of higher-level lab equipment such as HPLC, UPLC, GC, and UV-Vis systems, while closely collaborating with service engineers and quality laboratory teams.
Responsibilities
- Maintain, perform, review, and schedule calibrations for laboratory equipment, including HPLC, UPLC, GC, UV-Vis, and other analytical instruments.
- Communicate directly with service engineers and quality laboratory leadership regarding impacted instrumentation and service needs.
- Identify root causes of instrumentation failures by conducting impact assessments and reviewing vendor information and quotations.
- Review Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, and Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) documentation for laboratory instruments.
- Conduct instrument repairs and adjustments to ensure laboratories operate efficiently and reliably, using trending and data analysis to guide decisions.
- Identify instruments that are no longer reliable or maintainable and recommend appropriate replacement or retirement actions.
- Maintain, review, and schedule equipment records in the appropriate databases and systems to ensure accurate and up-to-date information.
- Follow work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and company practices to perform all analytical and maintenance activities.
- Document analytical activities, calibrations, repairs, and results accurately, in a timely manner, and right-first-time while maintaining data integrity.
- Follow written analytical procedures and identify execution challenges in analytical methods, supporting troubleshooting activities for lab staff.
- Support quality control and inspection activities related to analytical instrumentation and metrology.
- Collaborate with laboratory personnel to teach and convey technical knowledge, and assist in developing training materials for others to use.
- Set up and interface computer systems with laboratory instrumentation, ensuring proper connectivity and functionality.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in a science field is required.
- 3+ years of prior laboratory experience, specifically with higher-level lab equipment.
- Hands-on experience with HPLC, GC, UPLC, and UV-Vis instrumentation.
- Experience troubleshooting laboratory equipment and resolving instrument-related issues.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to perform general repairs on a wide range of laboratory equipment.
- Strong computer skills, including the ability to learn new software quickly and troubleshoot basic computer problems.
- Ability to set up and interface computer systems with lab instrumentation.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
- Ability to develop and convey technical training materials for laboratory staff.
- Knowledge of GMP regulations and analytical instrument qualification, calibration, and related requirements.
- Experience in quality control, chemistry, biochemistry, and laboratory metrology and quality inspection.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry is preferred.
- Candidates with degrees in Biology, Microbiology, Physics, Environmental Science, or Pharmaceutical Science are also considered.
- Experience working in a fast-paced pharmaceutical or manufacturing laboratory environment.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with quality groups and laboratory teams.
- Comfort working with multiple instruments and systems simultaneously while managing priorities.
- Interest in career growth and advancement within a large, structured organization.
Work Environment
This role operates in a fast-paced pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality laboratory environment, with time split between the quality group and the labs. The position is on first shift, Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with flexible start times such as 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The work involves regular interaction with advanced analytical instruments, computer systems, and technical documentation, in a setting that emphasizes data integrity, compliance with GMP regulations, and continuous improvement. The organization promotes from within and offers ample opportunity for growth and upward mobility, supported by recent restructuring that has created new pathways for advancement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $28.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.