GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY APPLICATION ENGINEER

GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY APPLICATION ENGINEER

Location :Sugar Land, Houston, TX.

Long term contract

The GC Lab Application Engineer (Technical Specialist IV) is responsible for leading advanced analytical testing, method development, troubleshooting, and instrumentation oversight for gas chromatography systems. This role provides technical expertise, mentors junior analysts, and ensures high-quality, accurate analytical data to support research, production, and quality assurance activities.

DUTIES/RESULTS

• Design and develop schematics for complex GC analytical applications. Customer sample matrices include gas and liquid hydrocarbons, halides, sulfur compounds, monomers and environmental monitoring streams.
• Provide gas chromatography method development and optimization. This includes programming the analyzers to meet the application and specification requirements, as well as tuning and testing of the analyzers to ensure they meet the required separation and repeatability performance.
• Perform advanced separations analysis using TCD, FID, and FPD detectors.
• Evaluate chromatographic performance, including resolution, sensitivity, and repeatability.
• Troubleshoot method challenges such as peak shape, carryover, retention time, sample size, column choice and detector response. Investigate analytical anomalies and provide root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Develop protocols for sample preparation and injection techniques.
• Gas chromatograph production involves columns installation, leak checking, data collection, validation and documentation.
• Perform the safe handling of pressurized gas and liquid cylinders. Specify complex sample blends and acquire calibration standards. Manage gas/liquid supplies inventories.
• Duties will require in-depth knowledge of pressure, temperature, flow, and chemistry, with the ability to provide on-the-fly assessments and decision-making related to these topics, to ensure the final product meets all customer specifications.
• Prepare samples, standards, calibration curves, and quality control checks according to established protocols.
• Conduct in-depth data analysis, including integration review, peak identification, and quantification of trace-level analytes.
• Generate analytical reports for customer documentation, as well as review, validate, and approve analytical reports generated by junior chemists.
• Execute routine and non-routine analytical procedures with strong attention to accuracy and precision.
• Oversee daily, weekly, and long-term maintenance plans for all GC Laboratory equipment; including gas supplies and service, air compression system, house vacuum lines, gas regulators and lab tools.
• Maintain complete, accurate laboratory logs and electronic records.
• Diagnose field instrument issues and collaborate with the team for corrective actions, repairs and upgrades. Assess system performance, calibration status, parameter configurations and recommended spare parts.
• Ensure all GC methods and processes comply with organizational, industry, and regulatory standards (ISO, ASTM, EPA, FDA, etc., if applicable).
• Lead documentation updates for SOPs, methods, calibration protocols, and instrument history and revisions.
• Participate in internal and external audits and provide expert technical responses.
• Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT) and help demonstrate the GCs to customers and end users.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for all GC-related analytical activities across the organization.
• Train, coach, and mentor junior analysts and laboratory technicians.
• Recommend new technologies, methodologies, and equipment to enhance laboratory capabilities.
• Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols, chemical handling procedures, and waste disposal requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase laboratory throughput, reliability, and data accuracy.
• Participate in risk assessments and contribute to improving safety practices.
• Assist in the development of training programs for new hires and customers, as well as refresher training or knowledge sharing for existing personnel.
• Job duties may require travel to support field service trips to customer sites, in order to help identify and resolve problems individually or as a team member. Travel may also be required for training at other affiliate locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Analytical Chemistry, or related scientific field.
• 5–7+ years of experience with Gas Chromatographs in an analytical laboratory environment.
• Hands-on experience with Gas Chromatography instrumentation and analytical testing.
• Ability to interpret chromatographic data and perform troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of analytical best practices and laboratory quality standards.
• Knowledge of regulated laboratory environments (such as: ISO 17025, FDA, EPA, GLP/GMP), as well as ISO/ASTM methods for analytical Gas Chromatography.
• Experience developing or validating analytical methods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Analytical Chemistry is a plus.

Skills/Competencies

• Analytical instrumentation problem-solving
• Technical expertise in packed column gas chromatography
• Attention to detail
• Clear scientific communication
• Time management and organization
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Proficiency with instrumentation software interfaces
• Basic knowledge of MS Office suite, data logs, and reporting tools