Senior HPLC & Lab Equipment Maintenance Engineer

Avantor

Slough

Hybrid

GBP 35,000 - 52,000

Full time

9 days ago

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Job summary

Avantor’s Hichrom ACE Analytical Chromatography in the UK is seeking a maintenance engineer to deliver routine and reactive maintenance on laboratory instrumentation, with a strong emphasis on HPLC and UHPLC systems, across Manufacturing and R&D labs. The role combines hands-on troubleshooting with planned service work in a fast-paced scientific environment.

You will manage spare parts, maintain calibration records, support IQ/OQ/PQ activities, ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and EHS standards,

Qualifications

Diploma/Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
Minimum 3 years' experience repairing Laboratory equipment and instrumentation, specifically HPLC instrumentation.

Responsibilities

Own routine and reactive maintenance of HPLC and uHPLC systems across laboratory areas, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and compliance with quality and regulatory standards.
Plan, schedule, and execute maintenance activities for a broad range of laboratory equipment (including fume hoods, glasswashers, packing pumps, vacuum ovens, furnaces, and benchtop systems), coordinating closely with production to minimise operational disruption.
Prioritise maintenance interventions based on production demand, equipment criticality, and risk, ensuring maximum uptime and continuity of manufacturing activities.
Maintain accurate and traceable service records, updating asset management systems and supporting lifecycle management, including replacement justification for end-of-life or irreparably failed equipment.
Monitor and analyse equipment performance and downtime trends, identify root causes of recurring issues, and implement or recommend robust technical and process improvements.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve maintenance procedures, SOPs, and best practice documentation to ensure consistent, compliant, and efficient equipment support.
Prepare and issue calibration documentation, including reports and certificates, ensuring full traceability, accuracy, and adherence to quality system requirements.
Conduct verification checks and audits on laboratory equipment and instruments to confirm operational integrity and compliance with defined specifications.
Create clear, practical troubleshooting guides and knowledge resources to support laboratory users in resolving common equipment issues efficiently.
Define, manage, and optimise critical spare parts inventories based on equipment risk assessments and usage patterns; oversee procurement activities including raising purchase orders, goods receipt, and storage control.
Triages and resolves technical issues across equipment, quality, applications, and product delivery systems, escalating where necessary and ensuring timely resolution.
Support installation, commissioning, qualification, and validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) of new or upgraded equipment, providing hands-on technical support during major breakdowns and escalation events.
Act as a responsive technical support resource, addressing laboratory enquiries promptly and effectively, ensuring resolution aligns with departmental expectations and operational needs.
Collaborate with laboratory and production managers to optimise instrument utilisation, improve workflow efficiency, and support capacity planning.
Ensure full compliance with company procedures and environmental regulations, including WEEE requirements for the safe disposal and decommissioning of equipment.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and undertake additional responsibilities as required to support laboratory operations and business objectives.