Location: On-site - Lakewood, CO (National Water Quality Laboratory)
About the Role
We are hiring an Instrument Specialist to keep a busy environmental analytical laboratory running at peak performance. You'll deliver expert-level maintenance, calibration, and repair on Agilent GC/MS systems and provide multi-instrument support across a diverse laboratory fleet. If you love diagnosing tough instrument problems and enabling great science, this role is for you.
Key Responsibilities
โข Deliver expert-level maintenance, calibration, tuning, troubleshooting, and repair of Agilent GC/MS systems (e.g., 7890/8890 GC, 5975/5977 MSD, 7000-series GC-MS/MS) and sample-introduction modules (autosampler, headspace, purge-and-trap, SPME, thermal desorption)
โข Diagnose and resolve performance issues such as low sensitivity, high background, mass-axis drift, peak tailing/fronting, carryover, tune failures, and vacuum instability; perform root-cause analysis across the instrument chain
โข Provide multi-instrument support for the broader lab fleet: LC/MS/MS, IC, ICP-MS/OES/AA, TOC/TIC, discrete analyzers, UV-Vis, balances, ovens, and bench meters
โข Design and maintain preventive-maintenance programs; keep instrument logs, PM schedules, tune/calibration records, and spare-parts inventories
โข Develop and update SOPs and work instructions; coordinate OEM/vendor service when needed
โข Provide hands-on training and quick-reference guides to laboratory staff
$105,000 - $108,159 a year
Required Qualifications
โข Demonstrated hands-on experience maintaining and repairing Agilent GC/MS systems and multiple sample-introduction modules
โข Proven ability to troubleshoot and repair a range of analytical instruments beyond GC/MS
โข Resourcefulness in reading technical documentation and consulting manufacturers to resolve issues
โข Strong communication and training skills for a fast-paced lab environment
โข Ability to obtain and maintain a federal background investigation; U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
Preferred Qualifications
โข Manufacturer (Agilent) training or certifications
โข Experience in an environmental, drinking-water, or NELAC/ISO 17025-accredited laboratory
โข Familiarity with LIMS and instrument data systems
About Akicita FederalAkicita Federal is a Native American-owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program-support services across the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. We hire the people who do the work - clinicians, analysts, engineers, support staff - and we treat them like the professionals they are.
Equal Opportunity EmployerAkicita Federal is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Akicita Federal complies with the Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) where applicable.