Instrumentation/Automation Service Engineer I

Abbott; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 31,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott in Madison, WI seeks a field-based technician to diagnose and resolve failures in enterprise laboratory instruments and automation systems. You will perform routine preventive maintenance and calibrations to ensure reliability, while documenting activities per GDP and regulatory standards.

Role emphasizes root-cause investigations, cross-team collaboration, and ongoing skill development to handle advanced repairs and SOP improvements. On-site with first-shift hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Electronics or related field, or an Associate degree with 2 years relevant experience.
• Experience interpreting mechanical parts and assembly drawings.
• Experience with electrical circuits and diagrams using measurement tools like multimeters.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair instrumentation and automation systems under supervision, restoring functionality.
• Contribute to root cause investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Perform preventative maintenance and calibration on lab equipment.
• Document service activities per GDP and regulatory requirements (OSHA, FDA, ISO, CLIA).
• Develop technical expertise and train others on failures and repairs.
• Communicate clearly with internal and external teams in writing and verbally.
• Support process improvements by updating procedures and optimizing workflows.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Preventive Maintenance

GDP Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in Engineering/Technology/Electronics or related

Associate degree + 2 years relevant experience

High school diploma + 4 years relevant experience

Tools

Multimeters

Electrical Testers

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

This role is responsible for diagnosing and resolving failures in enterprise laboratory instruments and automation systems, conducting root cause investigations, and escalating service issues to minimize downtime. It includes performing routine preventive maintenance and calibrations to ensure equipment reliability and compliance with service standards. The position requires accurate documentation aligned with Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and regulatory requirements such as OSHA, FDA, ISO, and CLIA. Success in this role involves developing technical expertise, training others, and collaborating across teams and vendors to support troubleshooting and project execution. Flexibility, commitment to quality, and a focus on process improvement—including SOP development and workflow optimization—are essential.

Shift

1st, 8am -4 :30pm Monday-Friday

This position is onsite based in Madison, WI (No relocation offered)

Key Accountabilities

• Troubleshooting & Repair : Under general supervision, diagnose, repair, and resolve failures following established procedures on instrumentation and automation systems within the laboratory by applying technical expertise to restore functionality. Escalate unresolved or complex issues to senior staff.
• Contribute to root cause investigations, assist with implementing corrective actions, and escalating unresolved issues as necessary to minimize operational downtime.
• Preventative Maintenance & Calibration : Conduct regular preventative maintenance and calibration events of laboratory instrumentation and automation systems to ensure consistent performance, reliability, and adherence to established service procedures.
• Documentation & Regulatory Compliance : Accurately document service activities in accordance with GDP, ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory frameworks such as OSHA, FDA, ISO, and CLIA.
• Technical Expertise & Training : Proactively advance technical expertise/proficiency in servicing laboratory instrumentation and automated systems through continuous learning, hands‑on experience, and engagement with more advanced failures/complex repairs.
• Teamwork & Communication : Demonstrate consistently clear written and verbal communication in all interactions with internal and external departments
• Flexibility, Quality & Process Improvement : Demonstrate adaptability in response to shifting priorities and unforeseen challenges, consistently uphold high quality standards in a fast-paced environment, and actively support process enhancements by drafting/revising procedures and identifying opportunities to optimize workflows.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on a mobile device, tablet, or in front of a computer screen and/or perform keyboarding/mousing for approximately 80% of a typical working day.
• Ability to work standing for approximately 60% of a typical working day.
• Ability to lift, carry, push or pull up to 40 pounds within the typical working day.
• Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials, tissue specimens, and instruments with moving parts, lasers, heating and freezing elements, and high-speed centrifugation.
• Ability to work weekdays
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and/or Holidays.
• Ability to be on call for nights, weekends, and/or Holidays.
• Ability to work overtime, as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, Electronics or other degree relevant to essential duties; or Associate degree in Engineering, Technology, Electronics and 2 years of relevant experience OR high school diploma/GED and 4 years of relevant experience
• Experience interpreting mechanical parts and assembly drawings.
• Experience with electrical circuits and diagrams, including the use of electrical measurement tools such as multi-meters and analyzers.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation.

The base pay for this position is $22.45 – $44.85 per hour. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.