R&D Mass Spectrometry Instrument Scientist

Agilent Technologies•Santa Clara, CA

10d•$175,968 - $274,950•Onsite

About The Position

Agilent is seeking an experienced Instrument Design Scientist focused on mass spectrometry to join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers supporting new product development. The role contributes scientific and engineering expertise, technical leadership, collaboration, communication, and industry knowledge to define and execute technology development in high-resolution mass spectrometry. The position is onsite in Santa Clara, California, and includes occasional travel to manufacturing facilities and customer sites.

Requirements

PhD in Physics or a closely related scientific discipline.
Typically at least 10 years of relevant experience for entry to this level.
Demonstrated success in mass spectrometer instrument development, including ion optics design and characterization, performance optimization, contamination control, vacuum performance, materials selection, prototyping and integration, and experimental design.
Deep understanding of and hands-on experience with mass spectrometry detector technologies, including MCP-based detectors.
Experience with high-voltage and RF power supplies, including understanding their performance characteristics and effects on mass spectrometry system design and performance.
Practical experience with high-vacuum system design practices relevant to mass spectrometry.
Proficiency with simulation tools such as SIMION, ANSYS, or equivalent.
Strong Python programming capability.
Solid knowledge of materials science concepts relevant to mass spectrometry systems.
Demonstrated hands-on troubleshooting skills for resolving complex technical challenges.
Ability to initiate proposals and execute independently.
Team-focused approach to supporting and interacting with multidisciplinary colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Advanced or specialized experience leading scientific or technical development initiatives in mass spectrometry.
Demonstrated ability to influence system-level design decisions through cross-disciplinary technical expertise.

Responsibilities

Initiate, design, and execute research and development strategies for mass spectrometry hardware, embedded software, and overall instrument design.
Apply scientific principles to technical challenges involving ionization and ion optics, vacuum systems, ion detection systems, high-voltage power supplies, RF electrodes, and digitizer systems.
Investigate, evaluate, and test discoveries through experimentation and scientific knowledge.
Share expertise with team members across functions and business divisions.
Troubleshoot equipment and products to validate data collection and resolve technical issues.
Maintain awareness of advances in mass spectrometry principles, theories, and academic and industrial developments.
Contribute to scientific literature and professional forums through publications, application notes, conference presentations, and symposia.
Participate in patent applications and other intellectual property disclosures.
Collaborate with Marketing, Product Support, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams, serving as an internal technical consultant.
Travel to manufacturing facilities to support new product development and resolve technical issues.
Visit customers to gather product-development insights and support issue resolution.
Provide technical due diligence, including intellectual property reviews, for technology licensing and acquisition opportunities.
Support product development through prototype design and assembly, quality assurance testing, hands-on troubleshooting, knowledge transfer to Manufacturing, and sustaining engineering.