Senior Field Applications Specialist – Mass Spectrometry - LA/San Diego

Roche • San Diego, CA

3d • $80,300 - $149,100

About The Position

The Senior Field Applications Specialist – Mass Spectrometry is a member of Roche’s Customer Support team and serves as the primary scientific and technical authority for the cobas i601 automated mass spectrometry solution in customer laboratories within the Core Lab space. The role supports adoption of automated mass spectrometry in a clinical market accustomed to traditional LC-MS/MS workflows, building customer confidence and helping laboratories transition to routine automated testing.

The specialist provides pre-sales technical support, guides customers through assay implementation, verification, validation, and regulatory compliance, and supports installation and performance validation of mass spectrometry instrumentation, automated sample preparation, and software. The role delivers on-site training and serves as a primary resource for complex analytical, software, and hardware troubleshooting. It also gathers customer feedback for Roche’s research and development and commercial teams and maintains accurate CRM records and administrative documentation.

This is a field-based position covering the West Coast territory of San Diego and Los Angeles. Overnight travel within the designated territory is expected more than 80% of the time, depending on customer implementation and pre-sales needs. A company vehicle is provided. Relocation benefits are not available. The position is eligible for incentive compensation. The expected California salary range is $80,300 to $149,100; actual pay depends on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other permitted factors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Clinical Laboratory, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 3 years of experience implementing and evaluating complex laboratory or IT products, medical diagnostic equipment, reagents, and/or systems.

Nice To Haves

• At least 3 years of direct, hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting LC-MS/MS platforms in a clinical, reference, or diagnostic laboratory.
• In-depth understanding of mass spectrometry fundamentals, including triple-quadrupole systems, ESI/APCI ionization techniques, chromatographic separations, sample preparation, and quantitative data analysis.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including laboratory directors, technicians, and procurement teams.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related clinical science focused on LC-MS/MS.
• Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist certification (ASCP/AMT) or board certification in Clinical Chemistry or Toxicological Chemistry.
• Strong working knowledge of clinical laboratory regulatory standards, including CLIA, CAP, FDA, and CLSI validation guidelines, as they apply to clinical mass spectrometry and laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) or IVDs.
• Prior pre-sales support, application consulting, or customer-facing experience explaining novel diagnostic platforms.
• Experience with automated liquid handling, integrated automated front-end sample preparation, or automated clinical chemistry/immunoassay systems such as cobas platforms.
• Proven ability to independently diagnose complex analytical, chromatographic, or hardware issues.
• Strong interpersonal, coaching, and stakeholder management skills, with a passion for driving changes in clinical laboratory operations.

Responsibilities

• Consult with clinical laboratory directors, pathologists, and LC-MS specialists about the science, reliability, and operational advantages of automated mass spectrometry compared with traditional manual LC-MS/MS systems.
• Partner with the commercial sales team as a subject matter expert; lead technical presentations, address analytical and methodological concerns, demonstrate menu expansion, and support customer transitions to automated mass spectrometry.
• Guide laboratory personnel through assay implementation, verification, and validation protocols and applicable regulatory requirements, including CLSI guidelines, CAP, CLIA, and ISO requirements.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with customer stakeholders and support customer satisfaction.
• Assist with installation of mass spectrometry instrumentation, automated front-end sample preparation, and software applications in customer laboratories.
• Validate system performance to ensure it meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications.
• Train laboratory personnel on system operation, routine maintenance, mass spectrometry theory, quality control, calibration strategies, and automated data interpretation.
• Resolve complex analytical, software, and hardware issues involving mass spectrometry and automated sample handling, and perform root cause analysis to minimize downtime.
• Collect customer feedback on product performance, software usability, and workflow bottlenecks and relay it to R&D and commercial leadership.
• Follow Roche protocols, maintain accurate CRM records, and complete travel, expense, and other administrative duties promptly.
• Travel overnight within the designated West Coast territory more than 80% of the time, depending on regional customer implementation and pre-sales needs.

Benefits

• A company vehicle is provided.
• Eligible for incentive compensation.
• The position qualifies for company benefits; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior