Field Engineering Specialist - Mass Spectrometry - California

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche, a leading healthcare company, seeks a Field Engineering Specialist – Mass Spectrometry to service the cobas i601 platform across customer laboratories in California. You will perform hands-on repair, maintenance, installation, and technical support for mass spectrometry systems while collaborating with national engineers and FAS teams.

The role requires a strong background in mass spectrometry hardware, electronics, and software, plus travel across the territory and excellent

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or chemical field is required or equivalent
• 5+ years of progressive experience repairing or servicing hardware/software or networking systems
• Travel required, including overnight travel, >50% of the time within California territory

Responsibilities

• Deliver regional field engineering support for cobas i601 mass spectrometry systems
• Perform hardware maintenance including vacuum pumps and ion sources
• Execute preventive maintenance and diagnostics using system data and logs
• Collaborate with national engineers and FAS teams on escalations and complex accounts
• Maintain customer relationships and accurate service documentation

Skills

Mass spectrometry

Field engineering

Troubleshooting

Customer communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry or related field

Tools

LC-MS/MS

HPLC/UHPLC

Vacuum systems

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

The Position Field Engineering Specialist – Mass Spectrometry - California

Roche Support Network offers an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about problem-solving and technical service excellence. As a Field Engineering Specialist – Mass Spectrometry, you will provide primary field engineering support, routine maintenance, and system installation for Roche’s fully automated mass spectrometry platform, the cobas i601, across customer laboratories within your assigned territory. Unlike traditional Core Lab liquid-phase diagnostic systems, automated clinical mass spectrometry introduces complex gas-phase ion physics, ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments, and extreme-pressure fluidics.

In this role, you will perform hands‑on technical repair, system maintenance, and basic applications workflow support—partnering closely with National Field Engineering Specialists on complex escalations and multi‑system accounts. As a Field Engineering Specialist - Mass Spectrometry, you will:

Deliver Regional Field Engineering Support

Showcase your technical expertise in servicing, repairing, calibrating, and installing cobas i601 mass spectrometry systems and associated automation in customer laboratories throughout your assigned territory.

Perform Hardware Maintenance

Maintain specialized mass spec hardware, including ultra‑high vacuum (UHV) pumps, atmospheric pressure ionization (ESI/APCI) sources, electromagnetic ion optics, oscillating RF/DC quadrupoles, and high‑pressure LC fluidic pumps operating at thousands of PSI.

Execute Targeted Preventive Maintenance

Perform deep molecular‑pathway preventive maintenance, including rebuilding and oiling vacuum pumps, cleaning ion sources and sampling capillaries, replacing LC components, and optimizing MS performance.

Diagnose Hardware & Scientific Failures

Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electronic, software, and gas/fluidic failures. Utilize data output—such as Total Ion Chromatograms (TIC), mass spectra (m/z ratios), and tuning logs—to troubleshoot hardware performance issues.

Applications & Workflow Support

Collaborate with customer operators and FAS teams to support routine applications workflows. Provide guidance on basic operational practices, fluidic maintenance, vacuum integrity, and minimizing chemical interference/contamination.

Collaborate with National Engineers

Work closely with Advanced Engineering Specialists on high‑complexity accounts, major account rollouts, and advanced technical escalations.

Maintain Customer Relationships & Operational Excellence

Serve as a primary technical contact for service‑related issues, perform scheduled PMs, and maintain accurate service documentation using Roche's CRM system. Participate in on‑call rotations, providing after‑hours or weekend support as required.

Who You Are

High school diploma and 2 years of technical school or equivalent military training or equivalent work experience. 5 years of progressive experience repairing or servicing mechanical/system hardware and software, or networking/wireless networking OR a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry or related field plus 1-2 years of progressive experience repairing or servicing complex mechanical/system hardware and software, or networking/wireless networking. Successfully training or certification as defined by RD Services Leadership and policy. Ability to travel, including some overnight travel, is required. This is a field-based role covering California, depending on customer needs. Travel: Overnight travel within the territory is expected > 50% of the time based on customer maintenance, service, and installation schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

4+ years of experience with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (or 8+ years of progressive technical experience) servicing analytical chemistry instrumentation, clinical mass spectrometry platforms, or high‑pressure fluidic systems. Hands‑on experience operating, servicing, or troubleshooting mass spectrometry platforms (LC‑MS/MS), liquid chromatography (HPLC/UHPLC), or vacuum systems. Technical Competency: Familiarity with vacuum leak detectors, mass calibration tuning fluids, RF/DC voltage tools, and nitrogen gas flow measurement. Applications & Science Literacy: Basic understanding of gas‑phase physics, m/z ratio detection, and sample matrix effects to aid in diagnostic troubleshooting. Team Collaboration: Strong desire to work cross‑functionally with FAS colleagues and leads to resolve operational issues quickly. Customer Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of building positive relationships with lab operators and managers.

Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting.

Payment

The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is 68,900.00- 127,900.00 USD Annual. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. A discretionary annual bonus may be available based on individual and Company performance. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.

Benefits

Who we are A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together. Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws. If you have a disability and need an accommodation in relation to the online application process, please contact us by completing this form Accommodations for Applicants. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.