Job Description
Position Title: Lab Engineer Location: Corporate
Reports to Director of Operations Department: Lab Operations
Classification: Exempt Direct Reports: None
** Position Requires up to 75% Travel***
Company Overview:
Kaycha Labs is a leading provider of innovative Cannabis and Hemp testing. We perform
product testing to help ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. We provide
comprehensive cannabis and hemp testing for potency, homogeneity, heavy metals, microbial
contamination, mycotoxins, residual solvents, terpenes, pesticides, and more.
Job Purpose:
The Lab Engineer is responsible for the installation support, preventive maintenance,
troubleshooting, diagnosis, repair, and performance verification of analytical laboratory
instrumentation and related equipment. The Lab Engineer will provide technical support to
ensure that critical laboratory instruments remain operational, reliable, and compliant with
applicable laboratory procedures and quality requirements.
The position will primarily support chromatographic and mass spectrometry instrumentation,
including HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and LC-MS systems from manufacturers such as Shimadzu,
Agilent, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and SCIEX/AB Sciex.
The Lab Engineer will work closely with laboratory analysts, laboratory management, vendors,
and service providers to identify equipment issues, determine root causes, perform corrective
actions, and minimize laboratory downtime.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain analytical laboratory instrumentation,
including but not limited to HPLC, GC-MS, ICP-MS, and LC-MS systems.
Perform preventive maintenance (PM), corrective maintenance, and routine service
activities according to manufacturer recommendations and laboratory SOPs.
Support instrumentation manufactured by Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo Fisher Scientific,
and SCIEX/AB Sciex.
Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum, fluidic, electronic, software,
and communication-related issues associated with laboratory instrumentation.
Identify instrument failures and determine appropriate corrective actions to restore
equipment to proper operating condition.
Perform component replacement, adjustments, calibrations, alignments, leak checks,
cleaning, and other service activities as required.
Troubleshoot and maintain instrument modules and associated components, including
pumps, autosamplers, injectors, detectors, columns/oven systems, gas systems,
vacuum systems, ion sources, and related hardware.
Support troubleshooting of instrument software, communication interfaces, data
acquisition systems, and instrument-control computers.
Perform post-repair testing and verification to confirm that instrumentation is operating
within established specifications.
Document all maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting activities, parts replaced, and
instrument performance results accurately and in a timely manner.
Maintain complete and accurate equipment service records, maintenance logs, and
documentation in accordance with laboratory procedures.
Assist laboratory personnel with instrument troubleshooting and provide technical
guidance when equipment-related issues affect analytical testing.
Work with instrument manufacturers and third-party service providers when advanced
technical support or specialized repairs are required.
Assist with installation, qualification, relocation, and decommissioning of laboratory
instrumentation as needed.
Participate in root cause analysis and investigations related to instrument failures,
recurring equipment problems, and laboratory downtime.
Assist with equipment qualification, calibration, verification, and performance checks as
required.
Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend preventive or corrective actions to
improve instrument reliability.
Maintain an adequate inventory of critical spare parts, tools, and maintenance supplies
and notify management when replacements or additional materials are required.
Participate in the development, review, and updating of equipment-related SOPs,
maintenance procedures, and technical documentation.
Maintain a safe and organized work area and follow all applicable laboratory, electrical,
chemical, and equipment safety procedures.
Collaborate with laboratory management and analytical staff to prioritize equipment
repairs and minimize disruptions to laboratory operations.
Assist with training laboratory personnel on proper instrument operation, basic
troubleshooting, and routine maintenance when appropriate.
Other duties and special projects as assigned.
Travel Requirements:
Regular travel between company laboratory locations is required to perform preventive
maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, installations, and equipment-related projects.
Expected travel: approximately 50 75%, depending on laboratory needs, equipment
service requirements, and project schedules.
Travel includes ** out-of-state travel**.
Overnight travel may be required for multi-day service projects, installations, equipment
relocations, or specialized training.
Occasional travel to instrument manufacturer facilities, technical training centers, or
vendor locations may be required for training and professional development.
Must be willing and able to travel on short notice when critical laboratory instrumentation
requires urgent service.
Must maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation for business travel
between laboratory locations.
Must be able to safely transport and handle tools, replacement parts, and equipment
required to perform service activities.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
Strong analytical and mechanical troubleshooting skills with the ability to systematically
diagnose complex equipment problems.
Hands-on technical aptitude and ability to work with precision tools, laboratory
equipment, and instrumentation components.
Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, service documentation, and
equipment specifications.
Strong understanding of preventive and corrective maintenance principles.
Ability to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate technical documentation.
Ability to manage multiple service requests and prioritize repairs based on laboratory
operational needs.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate
technical information to laboratory personnel and management.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with cross-functional
teams.
Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate maintenance records.
Ability to learn new instrumentation, technologies, software, and diagnostic procedures.
Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, reliability, and continuous improvement.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment with changing priorities.
Ability to occasionally work outside normal business hours when critical laboratory
instrumentation requires urgent service.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related scientific or technical field.
1 5 years of professional experience after graduation in laboratory instrumentation,
analytical instrumentation, equipment maintenance, field service, or a related technical
environment.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting and maintaining analytical laboratory
instrumentation is strongly preferred.
Experience with one or more of the following platforms is preferred: HPLC, GC-MS,
ICP-MS, LC-MS.
Experience with instrumentation from Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo Fisher Scientific,
and/or SCIEX/AB Sciex is strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, vacuum, fluidic, and electronic
systems used in analytical instrumentation.
Experience with preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, instrument
diagnostics, and equipment repair.
Laboratory or analytical chemistry experience is preferred.
Experience in a regulated laboratory environment is a plus.
Food science, environmental testing, pharmaceutical, clinical, chemical, or cannabis
laboratory experience is a plus.
Other:
Must pass Level 2 background check.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Kaycha Labs offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package including health,
dental, vision and time off.
Kaycha Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer - All qualified applicants will receive
consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Essential Functions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, handle or feel, to
speak, and to hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, bend,
kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close (proximity) vision, depth perception, and the
ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment described here is representative of that which an employee may encounter while
performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The standard analytical laboratory environment is one in which potential health hazards do exist.
Administrative, operations, technical, and professional staff are expected to safely operate in accordance
with applicable and appropriate health and safety policies and procedures, as prescribed by the
applicable Kaycha manuals and policies and/or federal, state, or local standards.
Laboratory staff can be expected to work in areas where hazards associated are with, but not limited to,
airborne pathogens. Biological materials, hazardous substances, and radioactive material exist and are
handled. Appropriate training is provided regarding these hazards and staff are expected to adhere to all
health and safety policies at all times, whether they are in writing or verbalized by a supervisor.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It
is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements.
Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities
to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to
perform the essential function