Senior Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

USOS OneSource Services US, LLC; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

PerkinElmer is seeking a Senior Technician to support cigarette smoke generation, sample prep, and physical testing at a client site in Richmond, VA. The role focuses on ISO 17025‑accredited laboratory work, data review, and ensuring traceability across the sample workflow.

You will operate smoking equipment, assist with method validation, and mentor junior staff while maintaining compliance with safety and quality standards. This on-site position offers exposure to advanced analytical methods.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of lab or production experience; or an associate degree with 1+ year experience.
• Experience with regulated laboratory environments and sample handling.
• LIMS experience and electronic documentation familiarity is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain smoking machines and collection equipment.
• Prepare samples for analyses and support TPM and carbon monoxide testing.
• Handle sample receipt, chain-of-custody, and data review for ISO 17025 compliance.
• Perform physical testing including moisture, density, pH, and particle sizing.
• Train and mentor Technician staff; ensure health, safety, and quality standards.

Skills

Smoke machine operation

Physical characterization

Chain-of-custody

Analytical documentation

ISO 17025 knowledge

Cross-team collaboration

Mentoring others

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree (science related)

Tools

LIMS

Job description

When joining PerkinElmer, you select an experienced and trusted leader in scientific solutions, with the support of a global service network and distribution centers, providing the right solution, at the right time, to meet critical customer needs. With over an 80+ year legacy of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world, our dedicated team collaborates closely with commercial, government, academic and healthcare customers to deliver our broad portfolio of analytical solutions, and OneSource services.

Job Title

Senior Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

Location(s)

Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA

Job Summary

The Senior Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals supports cigarette smoke generation and collection, sample receipt and preparation, and physical characterization testing for combustible and non‑combustible tobacco, nicotine, and inhalable products within the insourced laboratory team as part of an End-to-End (E2E) Laboratory Modernization Program. Staff on this team typically concentrate in one of these three areas based on assignment, while collaborating closely given the shared sample flow across smoke generation, prep, and physical testing. This role operates within an ISO 17025 accredited analytical production laboratory at a client site. The Senior Technician independently performs advanced sample preparation and laboratory support activities for these functions and provides guidance to Technician staff.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain smoking machines and associated collection equipment used to generate and collect mainstream cigarette smoke under controlled laboratory conditions;
• assemble impinger systems and collection apparatus for carbonyls, ammonia, VOCs, and other smoke constituents;
• Perform smoke sample preparation and support analyses used to quantify total particulate matter (TPM) and carbon monoxide;
• Receive, log, and prepare samples for analytical testing in accordance with established procedures and chain-of-custody requirements, including preparation and digestion supporting chromatographic, elemental, aerosol, and physical testing laboratories;
• Perform physical characterization testing, including moisture content, water activity, density, pH, particle size, dimensional measurements, resistance‑to‑draw, and ventilation assessments;
• Perform measurements used to evaluate product dimensions, circumference, length, and tobacco weight characteristics;
• Prepare reagents, solvents, and consumables required to support downstream analytical workflows across smoke, prep, and physical testing activities;
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain specialized physical testing and smoke collection instrumentation and associated laboratory equipment;
• Verify equipment performance and ensure testing activities comply with established procedures and quality requirements;
• Review analytical data and laboratory records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with ISO 17025 standards;
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and collection systems and participate in investigations involving atypical results, deviations, and equipment issues;
• Support method validation, equipment qualification, and technology transfer activities across smoke, prep, and physical testing methodologies;
• Maintain sample traceability and chain‑of‑custody, and accurate laboratory documentation in accordance with ISO 17025 requirements;
• Collaborate with analytical scientists across multiple testing programs to ensure samples and results are prepared and generated efficiently and consistently;
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced personnel as appropriate to level;
• Maintain training and compliance in health, safety, environmental, and operational requirements;
• Train and provide day‑to‑day guidance to Technician staff on prep procedures, SOPs, and safe work practices;
• Perform basic troubleshooting of routine preparation equipment and elevate complex issues appropriately;
• Perform quality checks on completed prep work prior to hand‑off for analysis;
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well‑stocked work area, including routine housekeeping and supply inventory.

Critical Skills

• Knowledge of smoking machine operation, calibration, and aerosol/smoke capture methodologies.
• Knowledge of physical characterization methods (pH, moisture, density, particle size, dimensional, resistance‑to‑draw).
• Strong understanding of sample handling, preparation, digestion, and chain‑of‑custody requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Understanding of laboratory quality systems and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple analytical groups and testing programs.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of relevant laboratory or manufacturing experience.
• OR Associate degree in a science‑related field with 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and mentor others in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Adaptable, self‑motivated, and capable of managing multiple concurrent prep tasks with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating smoking machines and aerosol collection systems; familiarity with tobacco smoke chemistry and regulatory testing methodologies.
• Experience performing sample preparation and digestion procedures supporting chromatography and elemental analyses.
• Experience performing physical characterization of consumer products, including particle size analysis, moisture/water activity, and dimensional measurement systems.
• Experience with LIMS and electronic laboratory documentation systems.
• Experience within ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP environments.
• Knowledge of tobacco and nicotine product testing requirements.
• Experience supporting method validation and technology transfer activities.

Working Environment

Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory. Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high. Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time. The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite. Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function. Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds). Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position. Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer. Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste. Potential risk to lab‑based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals. May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

Compensation

The annualcompensation range for this full‑time position is $50,000 to $60,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PerkinElmer is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, or veteran status or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. PerkinElmer is committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

Company Culture

Are you ready to help improve the lives of millions of people and create a healthier world? When you work at PerkinElmer, that’s exactly what you’ll do. From our dedicated scientists and world‑class operations employees to our innovative R&D professionals and committed sales and service groups, we’re a unique team of 5,000+ global colleagues who come to work every day knowing we’re making a difference. Through innovation, collaboration, and believing in our mission, we strive to create an inspiring and inclusive culture for our employees, so that they can be their best and, together, create a better tomorrow. Join us today.