Field Applications Specialist - West Region

BD; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 96,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

Waters Field Applications Specialists enable customers to realize full value of analytical technologies through expert training and workflow optimization. You’ll onboard new users, tailor training to customer workflows, and translate complex science into practical outcomes, while partnering with service, marketing, and sales teams.

The role emphasizes travel (60–70%), technical depth in flow cytometry, and the ability to drive adoption across diverse instruments and reagents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related field.
• Hands-on experience with flow cytometry applications and cell sorting.
• Strong troubleshooting capabilities across complex workflows.
• Ability to translate scientific concepts into practical application.
• Strong training, communication, and presentation skills.
• Valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving history.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively (60–70%), including multi-day overnight travel.
• Advanced degree in life sciences or related field (Preferred).
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry (Preferred).
• Experience operating and troubleshooting cell sorters (Preferred).
• Prior customer-facing application support or training experience (Preferred).
• Familiarity with FlowJo, Infinicyt, OMIQ, or FCS Express (Preferred).
• Experience in workflow optimization and method development (Preferred).
• Experience working cross-functionally in commercial or field environments (Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead customer onboarding and training to ensure smooth implementation.
• Provide advanced application support and troubleshoot workflows.
• Collaborate with customers to optimize instrument use and methods.
• Identify opportunities to expand application usage.
• Partner with Account Managers and Technical Sales Specialists to support growth.
• Contribute to cross-functional training and product development insights.

Skills

Flow cytometry

Cell sorting

Troubleshooting

Training skills

Travel ready

Spectral flow

Workflow optimization

Cross-functional work

Education

Bachelor's in life sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

FlowJo

Infinicyt

OMIQ

FCS Express

Job description

As a result of the combination of the BD Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business with Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), by applying to this role, you will be applying for a position with Waters. Waters is a global leader in life sciences, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, Waters’ innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across biology, chemistry, and physics. Waters collaborates with analytical laboratories around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, assure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combatting growing antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, Waters’ passionate team of approximately 16,000 colleagues partner with customers to turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. We are the people who give possibilities purpose BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it’s no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us—from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year—to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.

Job Description

Location: Field‑Based – West Region Reporting To: Field Applications Specialist Manager, U.S. Region Position Summary Enable science. Drive adoption. Deliver customer outcomes. At Waters, Field Applications Specialists are critical to ensuring customers realize the full value of their investment through expert scientific engagement, application guidance, and workflow optimization. Operating at the intersection of science and customer success, you guide users from onboarding through long‑term adoption—translating complex technologies into meaningful scientific and operational outcomes. This role goes beyond troubleshooting. It requires the ability to understand customer workflows, deliver impactful training, and proactively drive utilization and adoption. You will partner closely with commercial, service, and marketing teams to strengthen customer outcomes, increase product adoption, and uncover opportunities for growth. This is a high‑impact role where scientific expertise, customer engagement, and execution directly influence utilization, customer retention, and long‑term value creation. Role Purpose As part of the Waters Biosciences division, ensure successful customer onboarding, product adoption, and sustained success by providing high‑impact technical training, workflow optimization, and application expertise that enables customers to achieve their desired outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Engagement & Training – Lead customer onboarding to ensure a seamless transition from purchase to implementation – Deliver high-quality, application-focused training tailored to customer workflows and expertise levels – Educate customers on best practices to maximize instrument and application performance – Support initial setup, validation, and readiness of customer workflows
• Post‑Sale Technical Support & Expertise – Provide advanced application support and troubleshooting across instruments and workflows – Partner with customers to resolve complex technical challenges efficiently – Serve as a trusted scientific advisor for ongoing application needs – Escalate and coordinate resolution of complex issues with internal teams
• Workflow Optimization & Adoption – Drive utilization through proactive engagement and scientific consultation – Advise customers on optimizing workflows and improving outcomes – Identify gaps and recommend best‑practice solutions – Enable customers to achieve measurable success with technologies and reagents
• Customer Success & Retention – Strengthen customer satisfaction and long‑term retention through consistent engagement – Reinforce value realization and ensure achievement of intended outcomes – Build strong, trusted relationships with scientific stakeholders – Support broader customer success initiatives aligned to business objectives
• Expansion & Opportunity Identification – Identify opportunities to expand application usage and workflow breadth – Surface unmet needs for additional products, reagents, or capabilities – Partner with Account Managers and Technical Sales Specialists to support growth opportunities – Contribute insights to territory and account development strategies
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Partner closely with commercial, technical sales, service, and marketing teams – Support coordinated, account-based customer engagement strategies – Provide field insights to inform product development and training programs – Contribute to a collaborative, team-based customer success model
• What Success Looks Like – Enables customers to achieve meaningful scientific and operational outcomes – Accelerates onboarding and reduces time to productivity – Minimizes technical barriers and improves implementation success – Increases product utilization and application adoption – Improves customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty – Identifies and supports account expansion opportunities

Qualifications & Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field
• Hands‑on experience with flow cytometry applications and cell sorting
• Strong troubleshooting capabilities across complex workflows
• Ability to translate scientific concepts into practical application
• Strong training, communication, and presentation skills
• Valid driver’s license with at least 3 years of driving history
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively (60–70%), including multi‑day overnight travel
• Advanced degree in life sciences or related field (Preferred)
• Experience with spectral flow cytometry (Preferred)
• Experience operating and troubleshooting cell sorters (Preferred)
• Prior customer‑facing application support or training experience (Preferred)
• Familiarity with FlowJo, Infinicyt, OMIQ, or FCS Express (Preferred)
• Experience in workflow optimization and method development (Preferred)
• Experience working cross‑functionally in commercial or field environments (Preferred)

Work Environment & Travel

Field‑based role with frequent on‑site and remote customer engagement. Travel driven by customer and business needs.

Why Waters

Waters plays a critical role in advancing scientific discovery and improving human health. Our teams partner with leading organizations across Pharma, Biotech, Academic, and Government sectors to solve complex scientific challenges. As part of Waters, you will: Enable customers to achieve meaningful scientific outcomes Work with innovative technologies and applications Collaborate across scientific and commercial teams Directly contribute to customer success and long‑term value creation.

Who Thrives in This Role

• Scientists passionate about training, teaching, and enabling others
• Customer‑centric professionals who build long‑term scientific partnerships
• Problem‑solvers who enjoy optimizing workflows and applications
• Collaborative partners who work effectively across teams
• Self‑driven individuals committed to delivering high‑impact field engagement

Who This Role Is Not For Individuals

Individuals seeking non‑customer‑facing or purely transactional roles; Those uncomfortable with travel and field‑based engagement; Candidates who prefer reactive rather than proactive customer interaction.

Equal Opportunity

Water’s Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. At BD, we prioritize on‑site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem‑solving, which are essential in the fast‑paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in‑office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work‑life balance. Remote or field‑based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting. For certain roles at BD, employment is contingent upon the Company’s receipt of sufficient proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID‑19. In some locations, testing for COVID‑19 may be available and/or required. Consistent with BD’s Workplace Accommodations Policy, requests for accommodation will be considered pursuant to applicable law. Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Compensation

The expected Base Pay Range for this role is $95,600 - $153,000 USD Annually plus incentives. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and geographic location. At BD, we reward, support and develop our associates through our comprehensive Total Rewards program. We are committed to attracting and retaining high quality talent by providing reward and recognition opportunities that promote a performance‑based culture, as well as a competitive package of compensation and benefits programs. You can learn more on our career site under "Our Commitment to You." Our salary or hourly rate ranges reward associates fairly and competitively. Candidates whose job duties will be physically performed within unincorporated Los Angeles County limits: All qualified Applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. BD abides by any and all laws or regulations that impose restrictions or prohibitions for hiring applicants with criminal histories for posted positions.

Why Join Us?

To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD you’ll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive. We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face‑to‑face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success. To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers. Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Primary Work Location

USA CA - Milpitas 155 Additional Locations Work Shift