Senior Chemical Development Equipment Test Scientist

AGI GROUP; Royston; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Collaborative working environment

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

AGI GROUP is seeking a Senior Chemical Development Equipment Test Scientist to join our Market Support and Testing team in Royston, UK. You will design and execute structured test plans, validate instrument performance, and support the development of laboratory technologies used across chemistry and pharmaceutical fields.

You will work closely with R&D, product management and commercial teams to document results, develop SOPs, and ensure traceability from requirements to outcomes, while

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3+ years hands-on experience in chemical or pharmaceutical discovery or process development laboratories.
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation and scientific equipment (e.g. HPLC).
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute structured test plans for new and existing products.
• Verify product performance against specifications and user requirements.
• Evaluate equipment performance under normal and extreme operating conditions.
• Test products using a variety of chemical processes and reaction conditions.
• Validate robustness, reliability, accuracy, and reproducibility of equipment performance.
• Identify mechanical, software, electronic, and usability issues; reproduce and document faults.

Skills

Lab chemistry

Analytical thinking

Scientific curiosity

Issue identification

Organisational skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree in Chemistry/Engineering/Pharmaceutical Sciences

Tools

HPLC

Job description

AGI GROUP are seeking a highly motivated Senior Chemical Development Equipment Test Scientist to join our Market Support and Testing team. This role is responsible for evaluating, validating, and scientific instrumentation and laboratory equipment used within chemistry, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemical process development environments.

The successful candidate will combine practical laboratory experience with structured product testing methodologies to ensure products meet customer requirements and quality standards before release. The role will work closely with R&D (hardware and software), product management and commercial teams to identify issues, verify performance, and support the development of innovative laboratory technologies.

The position is ideally suited to an individual with hands-on chemistry laboratory experience who enjoys troubleshooting, experimentation, and improving scientific equipment.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Product Testing & Validation

• Develop and execute structured test plans for new and existing products
• Verify product performance against functional specifications, user requirements, and design requirements
• Evaluate equipment performance under normal and extreme operating conditions
• Test products using a variety of chemical processes, solvents, reagents, and reaction conditions based on real-world applications
• Validate robustness, reliability, accuracy, and reproducibility of equipment performance
• Identify mechanical, software, electronic, and usability issues
• Reproduce and document faults using standard quality procedures

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain detailed records of all testing activities
• Produce clear test reports, validation reports, and recommendations
• Develop standard operating procedures and test protocols
• Ensure traceability between requirements, test cases, and test outcomes

Market Support

• Devise, execute and document experiments to provide proof of technical claims made for new product lines
• Support creation of user documentation, application notes, and training materials

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline
• At least 3 years hands-on experience within chemical or pharmaceutical discovery or process development laboratories
• Experience using laboratory instrumentation and scientific equipment (e.g. HPLC)
• Strong understanding of experimental design and data analysis
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work systematically and independently
• Competency with Microsoft Office and data analysis tools

Desirable

• Experience in product testing, quality assurance, or validation
• Familiarity with: Automated laboratory systems including jacketed reactors, pressure reactors, PAT technologies
• Knowledge of software testing methodologies
• Experience writing technical documentation

Skills & Competencies

• Strong laboratory and practical chemistry skills
• Analytical problem-solving capability
• Scientific curiosity and investigative mindset
• Ability to identify and reproduce technical issues
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Confidence working across multidisciplinary teams

Benefits

What We Offer

• Opportunity to influence the development of next-generation chemistry equipment and laboratory automation solutions
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies in synthesis, process development, and autonomous laboratories
• Collaborative and innovative working environment
• Career development opportunities across R&D, product management, and applications and support
• Competitive salary and benefits package