Lab Engineer

Pentagon Technologies Group Inc; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

401K with match

Health, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

Pentagon Technologies, Inc. is seeking a Lab Engineer to own ICP-MS and LPC instrumentation support, troubleshooting, and method reliability.

You will lead root cause analysis, drive data quality improvements, and support production on technical projects while developing SOPs and training materials. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant science and 3–5 years of experience, with travel and ability to work in lab and production environments.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science, Materials Science, or related field.
• 3–5 years in a chemist/lab specialist role preferred and demonstrated laboratory leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical engineering support for laboratory equipment, analytical systems, test methods, and process issues.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions affecting data quality and instrument reliability.
• Evaluate equipment health, trends, and recurring issues to identify improvement opportunities.
• Support method development, process optimization, validation, and standardization of technical practices across the lab.
• Develop and improve SOPs, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, technical reports, and training materials.
• Partner with quality, lab operations and management to resolve technical concerns and implement sustainable solutions.

Skills

ICP-MS expertise

LPC instrumentation

Leadership

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

ICP-MS instrument maintenance

Analytical methods

Job description

Pentagon Technologies, Inc. is a leader in providing mission-critical semiconductor services that touch every device with a computer chip inside. Our customers include the largest semiconductor chip and OEM tool manufacturers in the industry. We stay at the forefront of our industry through innovation, technical proficiency, and our amazing employees. Our industry is in the midst of unprecedented growth and Pentagon is seeking outstanding candidates to join our team!The Lab Engineer is primarily responsible for owning technical support for ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and LPC (Liquid Particle Count) instrumentation, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, method reliability, data quality, technical report accuracy, and instrument performance improvement. This role serves as the primary technical resource and supports production when ICP-MS and LPC expertise is required. The position may also provide opportunities to support technical projects outside the Analytical Lab.Roles & ResponsibilitiesProvide technical engineering support for laboratory equipment, analytical systems, test methods, and process-related issues.Lead troubleshooting efforts, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for technical issues impacting laboratory performance, data quality, equipment reliability, or process capability.Evaluate equipment performance, instrument health, process trends, and recurring technical issues to identify improvement opportunities.Support method development, process optimization, validation activities, and standardization of technical practices across the laboratory.Develop, review, and improve SOPs, work instructions, troubleshooting guides, technical reports, and training materials.Partner with quality, lab operations, and management to resolve technical concerns and implement sustainable solutions.Provide technical guidance to lab personnel on equipment operation, analytical methods, data interpretation, and issue escalation.Lead continuous improvement projects focused on reliability, accuracy, efficiency, safety, and laboratory capability.Assist production teams when technical support is needed, while maintaining primary focus on engineering and laboratory technical issue resolution.Represent the laboratory in technical discussions, project reviews, customer/internal meetings, technical reporting and cross-functional communications as needed.EducationBachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science, Materials Science, or a related scientific discipline preferred.Experience3-5 years of experience as a Chemist, Laboratory Specialist, or equivalent analytical laboratory role preferred.Demonstrated experience leading laboratory operations and technical teams.Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesExpert knowledge of ICP-MS and LPC instrumentation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and analytical methodologies.Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.Advanced data analysis, trending, and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.SAFETY:Employee will be trained in, and is to follow and lead by example, all general safety requirements of Pentagon Technologies as well as specific safety regulatory requirementsWORK ENVIRONMENT:Must be able to function well in an office environment. Must also be able to work in a controlled chemical and wastewater environment. Must also be able to perform in a laboratory environment. Persons who are sensitive to chemical environments with such medical conditions as asthma, allergies, or extreme sensitivity to chemicals may not be considered as good candidates for this position. Must have the ability to travel to the various Pentagon Technologies Facilities within the continental US as required. Must be able to travel to Vendor and Customer facilities within the continental US as required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Must pass Company required screening tests. The employee is regularly required to sit and stand, reach with hands and arms and perform light routine office work, which includes computer workstation usage.Perks of Working at Pentagon TechnologiesAt the end of the day, our strength comes from our people, and we are determined to recognize and promote your wellbeing—be it professionally, financially, physically, or mentally.Generous PTO401K program with employer matching contributionHealth, dental, vision Insurance (with generous employer contribution)Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance (fully employer paid)Life and AD&D (employer paid & voluntary option)Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)Be advised that Pentagon Technologies does not offer relocation assistance for this position. Candidates who do not reside near the posted location will be responsible for covering all relocation costs. By applying for this position, candidates acknowledge and agree that they will be solely responsible for any expenses incurred in relocating to the area if selected for the role.Pentagon Technologies is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (AA/EOE/W/M/Vet/Disabled) and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment of associates. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status.To all recruitment agencies: Pentagon Technologies does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our job's alias, Pentagon Technologies employees or any other company location. Pentagon Technologies is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Pentagon Technologies will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Pentagon Technologies explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.IND123