Technical Support Scientist

Abbott Laboratories’ Toxicology Business Unit in Pomona, California is seeking a Technical Support Scientist to join the onsite team. This role blends hands-on support for Drugs of Abuse manufacturing with involvement in moderate-complexity projects, investigations, change control, and the execution of verification and validation studies accompanied by formal reporting. The position emphasizes collaboration across departments to drive product improvements while maintaining rigorous laboratory standards.

Location: Pomona, CA (onsite)

Salary: USD 81,500 - 141,300 per year

Education: BA or BS in Chemistry or Biological Sciences

Minimum experience: 3 years

Responsibilities

• Maintain strong knowledge of testing processes across each product line.
• Investigate and, with guidance from more experienced colleagues, develop new methods and processes to advance projects.
• Develop familiarity with all aspects of the product lifecycle.
• Execute moderate-complexity experiments and seek input from senior colleagues on more challenging technical and design questions.
• Apply principles, practices, and procedures to complete moderately complex assignments within the field of specialization.
• Tackle moderate and diverse problems; analyze data to identify factors and propose solutions for advanced issues.
• Plan and execute smaller-scale projects under limited supervision.
• Perform customer complaint investigations and prepare reports.
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across the organization.
• Prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Utilize moderate computer skills, including MS Excel and MS Word.
• Apply Agile practices to address quality incidences, conduct root-cause investigations, and document findings.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to less-experienced staff without formal supervisory duties when needed.
• Test products, compile data, analyze results, and prepare reports for product improvements and investigations.
• Maintain accurate professional records of laboratory activities.
• Regularly report progress and results to the manager.
• Evaluate and recommend improved testing methods.
• Solve process-related questions and problems.
• With minimal guidance, draft verification and validation protocols and reports, procure materials, and compose technical documentation.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings and represent Technical Support on project teams.
• Establish and modify documentation to improve accuracy and prevent production issues.
• Review and process changes to controlled documents in an electronic document management system.
• Use Excel and Word to compile test data, perform analyses, and write technical reports such as deviation reports, validation protocols, and trend analyses.
• Understand quality implications of job actions and stay aware of potential device defects within responsibility areas.
• Maintain professional conduct with internal and external stakeholders and foster productive working relationships.
• Operate in compliance with established business policies and regulatory expectations (QSR, ISO, FDA).
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Requirements

• BA or BS in Chemistry or Biological Sciences.
• Minimum of 3 years’ related experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Solid technical writing ability.
• Ability to follow detailed instructions, maintain accurate records, and complete assignments conscientiously while following safe laboratory practices.
• Experience conducting experiments per established guidelines and summarizing results accurately.
• Proven problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Knowledge of a range of laboratory equipment and their operation.
• Ability to guide junior research staff functionally.

Technologies

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Agile

Benefits

• Career development with an international company offering growth opportunities aligned to your aspirations.
• Eligibility for free medical coverage under the Health Investment Plan PPO in the next calendar year.
• Robust retirement savings with substantial employer contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement, Debt relief programs, and education benefits to support degree completion.
• Recognition as a great place to work across multiple countries and acknowledged among Fortune's most admired companies.
• Noted as a top workplace for diversity, working mothers, and scientists.

The Opportunity

Abbott Rapid Diagnostics operates within Abbott’s Diagnostics family, combining expert teams and leading technologies to support diagnostic testing that informs treatment decisions. This Technical Support Scientist role resides in the Toxicology Business Unit in Pomona, CA, delivering on-site technical support for Drugs of Abuse manufacturing. The position centers on moderate-complexity projects, product improvements, change control, investigations, and cross-functional issue resolution, with responsibilities that include verification and validation activities and related reporting.