Technical Support Scientist

The Technical Support Scientist role at Abbott Rapid Diagnostics (Toxicology Business Unit) supports a Drugs of Abuse manufacturing facility in Pomona, California. The position provides technical assistance across moderate complexity work, including technical investigations, verification and validation activities, quality documentation, and reporting.

Location and Salary

• Location: Pomona, CA (onsite)
• Compensation: USD 81,500 to 141,300 per year

Summary of the Role

This role supports moderate complexity projects and product improvements within a drugs of abuse manufacturing environment. Key focus areas include change control, investigations, verification/validation studies, method and process development (with guidance when needed), and technical reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in moderate complexity, short-to long-duration projects covering product improvements, change control, investigations, and resolution of technical issues in coordination with another department.
• Conduct verification or validation studies for new or modified material and generate corresponding reports.
• Apply knowledge of product testing processes across product-related activities.
• Investigate issues and, with guidance from more experienced colleagues, create and develop new methods and processes to support project advancement.
• Perform experiments for moderate complexity projects; seek advice for more complex technical and design challenges.
• Use knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures within the field of specialization to complete moderately complex assignments.
• Solve problems of moderate and diverse scope by evaluating identifiable factors in data; propose potential solutions for more advanced problems.
• Plan and execute smaller complexity projects under limited supervision.
• Conduct customer complaint investigations and write investigation reports.
• Use Agile to address quality incidences and perform root cause investigations, including preparation of investigation reports.
• Test products, compile data, perform data analysis, and prepare reports supporting product improvements and investigations.
• Maintain accurate professional records of laboratory activities and document work appropriately to avoid errors and potential production issues.
• Report progress and results to the manager on a regular basis.
• Evaluate and recommend improved testing methods and solve process-related questions and problems.
• With minimal guidance, write verification and validation protocols and reports, order materials needed to complete procedures, and write technical reports.
• Actively participate in departmental meetings and represent Technical Support on project teams.
• Establish and modify documentation with accuracy and error avoidance; review and process changes to controlled documentation (procedures, forms, and related documents) in an electronic document management system.
• Use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word to compile test data, perform analyses, and prepare technical documentation such as deviation reports, validation protocols, and trend analyses.
• Maintain awareness of quality consequences tied to job performance, including awareness of potential device defects across product design, verification and validation, manufacturing, and testing activities.
• Exhibit professional behavior with internal and external business associates, comply with established business policies, and build productive working relationships.
• Maintain knowledge of federal and other regulations (including QSRs, ISO, and FDA).
• Perform other duties as assigned based on business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Education: BA or BS in Chemistry or Biological Sciences
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in a related field
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good technical writing skills
• Ability to follow detailed instructions, maintain accurate records and notes, and complete assignments thoroughly while adhering to safe laboratory practices
• Ability to carry out experiments following established guidelines and summarize results accurately
• Demonstrated problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Knowledge of a variety of laboratory equipment and their operation
• Ability to functionally direct junior research staff

Technologies

• Agile
• MS Excel / Microsoft Excel
• MS Word / Microsoft Word
• Electronic document management system

Benefits

• Career development with an international company and opportunities to grow
• Potential eligibility for free medical coverage in the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year
• Excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution
• Tuition reimbursement, Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit
• Recognition as a great place to work across dozens of countries; named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune
• Recognition for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and ability to use MS Office and other manufacturing systems
• Adaptability and willingness to take on multiple new tasks and responsibilities
• Independent, collaborative self-starter able to make appropriate quality-related decisions in real time
• Process-oriented, logical, analytical, meticulous, highly organized; able to analyze data and implement solutions
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment while meeting individual responsibilities and objectives