Assistant Infrared Spectroscopy Jobs in Illinois

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Laboratory Setting, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Standing for full shift, Various outside weather conditions, Warehouse, Will work with hazardous/toxic materials, Working at heights

Job Description

When you’re part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll do important work, like helping customers find cures for cancer, protecting the environment, and making sure our food is safe. Your work will have real-world impact, and you’ll be supported in achieving your career goals.

Location/Division

The Chemical Analysis Division (CAD) provides innovative analytical instruments and solutions that help customers solve complex challenges across research, manufacturing, quality control, environmental testing, materials characterization, and industrial applications.

Our analytical technologies enable customers to identify, measure, characterize, and understand the chemical and physical properties of materials. The Field Service Engineer I supports customers by helping ensure their Thermo Scientific analytical instrumentation operates reliably, accurately, and efficiently.

We are hiring Field Service Engineer I positions across multiple U.S. territories. Candidates should reside in or near one of the following locations:

Midwest Region

• Chicago, Illinois
• Houston, Texas
• St. Louis, Missouri

Northeast Region

• Cleveland, Ohio
• Augusta, Maine

Southeast Region

• Nashville, Tennessee
• Durham, North Carolina

Candidates should be located within reasonable proximity to a major airport to support the travel requirements of the position.

How will you make an impact?

As a Field Service Engineer I, you will provide on-site and remote technical support for Thermo Scientific chemical analysis instrumentation within an assigned territory.

You will perform installation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, calibration, and qualification activities while developing strong relationships with customers and internal partners.

The Field Service Engineer I combines mechanical, electrical, software, and analytical troubleshooting skills to help customers maximize instrument uptime and performance.

Depending on the assigned territory and product portfolio, the equipment serviced may include Thermo Scientific analytical instrumentation such as:

• Bulk Elemental Analyzers
• Process Analyzers
• Checkweighers
• Bulk Material Handling
• Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers
• Near-Infrared (NIR) spectrometers and analyzers
• Raman spectroscopy systems
• Rheometers and viscometers
• Laboratory materials characterization instrumentation

Specific product responsibilities will vary based on territory, customer requirements, and business needs.

Day-to-Day Activities Include

• Conduct on-site installation and commissioning of Thermo Scientific chemical analysis instrumentation and follow established testing procedures to ensure proper operation.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and calibration activities to maintain instrument performance and reliability.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, optical, electronic, computer, and software-related instrument issues.
• Diagnose instrument performance problems and identify appropriate corrective actions.
• Perform instrument testing following repairs, maintenance, and installation to verify that equipment meets established performance specifications.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to customers and other field service personnel.
• Cultivate and develop positive working relationships with customers, laboratory personnel, system users, and Thermo Fisher Scientific colleagues.
• Travel on short notice to customer locations to resolve technical issues or support other Field Service Engineers.
• Accurately complete and submit field service reports, expense reports, service documentation, and other required records in a timely manner.
• Provide basic customer training on instrument operation, routine maintenance, and best practices following installation or service.
• Escalate complex technical issues to senior Field Service Engineers, Technical Support, or product specialists as appropriate.
• Provide feedback to technical support, engineering, and product quality teams regarding recurring instrument issues and customer needs.
• Assist with updating and correcting service documentation, procedures, and technical information as needed.
• Maintain assigned tools, test equipment, service parts, and other company assets.
• Follow Thermo Fisher Scientific safety requirements and customer-site safety procedures while performing field service activities.
• Continue developing technical expertise through formal product training, hands-on field experience, and collaboration with experienced service personnel.
• Support projects and initiatives that help improve business operations and delivery.

Territory and Travel

The Field Service Engineer I will support customers primarily within the region associated with their assigned territory:

• Midwest Region: Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; or St. Louis, MO
• Northeast Region: Cleveland, OH; or Augusta, ME
• Southeast Region: Nashville, TN; Raleigh, NC, or Durham, NC

The position requires significant travel to customer locations throughout the assigned territory and may require up to 80% travel, including overnight travel.

While each Field Service Engineer will have a primary assigned territory and regional alignment, travel outside the assigned region will be required on occasion based on customer needs, training requirements, business priorities, and support needs across the broader Field Service organization.

Field Service Engineers may also be asked to support other territories or colleagues based on business needs. Travel may occur on short notice depending on customer service requirements.

How will you get here?

This position is ideal for an early-career engineer or technical professional who enjoys hands-on troubleshooting, working directly with customers, and developing expertise in sophisticated analytical instrumentation in different settings.

Successful candidates will demonstrate strong mechanical and electrical aptitude, curiosity, problem-solving ability, customer service skills, and a willingness to continuously develop and adapt.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, Electronics, Instrumentation, or a related technical/scientific field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant technical experience.
• Experience troubleshooting electrical, electronic, mechanical, optical, computer, or software systems is preferred.
• Experience working with analytical, mechanical, or robotic instrumentation is beneficial.
• Previous experience in field service, laboratory instrumentation, equipment maintenance, military technical roles, engineering technician roles, or related customer-facing technical positions is beneficial.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude with an interest in troubleshooting sophisticated analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to systematically diagnose technical problems and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documentation, electrical schematics, diagrams, and service procedures.
• Basic understanding of electrical and electronic systems, including the safe use of diagnostic and test equipment.
• General understanding of laboratory instrumentation and scientific measurement principles.
• Ability to troubleshoot computer hardware, instrument software, communication systems, and basic networking issues.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows operating systems and standard business software.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to interact professionally with scientists, laboratory personnel, engineers, technicians, and other customers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with professional working proficiency in English.
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with Field Service Engineers, Technical Support, Sales, Applications, and other internal teams.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize customer service requirements.
• Ability and willingness to continuously learn new technologies and successfully complete required technical training.
• Ability to travel regionally and, when required, nationally or internationally for customer support and training.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid passport as required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to comply with customer-site safety requirements and applicable Thermo Fisher Scientific safety policies.
• Physical requirements include the ability to safely lift, move, or maneuver equipment and service components weighing up to 50 lbs., with or without reasonable accommodation.

Our Mission

As the world leader in serving science, Thermo Fisher Scientific empowers our colleagues to advance innovative technologies, develop meaningful solutions, and build rewarding careers.

Our teams provide customers with the instruments, services, and expertise they need to solve complex analytical challenges across research, industrial, environmental, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and quality-control applications.

Join us and contribute to our singular Mission — to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in North Carolina is $23.26–$34.88.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards