Laboratory Instrument Integration Solutions Architect

Laboratory Instrument Integration Solutions Architect.

Location: Remote - United States (Eastern Time Zone preferred).

Employment Type: Project-Based Consulting / Contract.

Compensation: W2 hourly pay range of $75-$100/hour, with flexibility to go higher for an exceptional consultant who has direct experience designing and implementing automated laboratory instrument data collection solutions. 

Travel: Potential travel to US client sites, as needed.

Start: ASAP.

About the Opportunity:

Alphanumeric is seeking an experienced Laboratory Instrument Integration Solutions Architect to design and implement an automated data collection solution for standalone laboratory and manufacturing instruments within a regulated pharmaceutical environment.

This project focuses on developing a scalable, repeatable, and supportable approach to preserving electronically generated instrument data while significantly reducing manual intervention.

The environment includes a diverse population of legacy and modern laboratory instruments, many of which operate independently of traditional IT networks and rely on RS-232, USB, or Ethernet interfaces for data access.

The ideal consultant will combine hands-on instrument integration expertise with solution architecture capabilities, including the ability to assess technical feasibility, recommend technologies, develop a proof of concept, and support implementation.

What You'll be Doing:

• Assess existing laboratory and manufacturing instruments to determine available connectivity, data extraction capabilities, and integration limitations.
• Design and implement automated or semi-automated data collection solutions using RS-232, USB, Ethernet, and other supported interfaces.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate technologies, including communication gateways, edge devices, software agents, vendor solutions, or custom integrations.
• Develop a scalable architecture for transferring instrument-generated data to centralized network storage for protection through existing enterprise backup systems.
• Design solutions that minimize the need for manual data extraction, physical laptop connections, and removable storage devices.
• Develop and demonstrate a proof of concept (POC) to validate technical feasibility with representative instruments.
• Preserve original instrument data, timestamps, and available metadata in accordance with applicable data integrity requirements.
• Establish monitoring, logging, exception handling, and failure notifications to support reliable data collection.
• Address integration challenges involving legacy equipment, proprietary interfaces, limited internal storage, and FIFO/overwrite data models.
• Assess opportunities to support multiple instruments through shared collection infrastructure rather than dedicated computers.
• Identify equipment that cannot support automated extraction and recommend practical alternative approaches.
• Collaborate with client IT, laboratory, manufacturing, quality, and infrastructure teams to ensure compatibility with existing systems and procedures.
• Document proposed architecture, hardware/software requirements, implementation approach, technical limitations, and estimated project costs.
• Support implementation and knowledge transfer following approval of the proposed solution.

What You'll Bring (Required):

• Demonstrated experience with laboratory instrument integration, industrial data acquisition, laboratory automation, or IT/OT systems integration.
• Experience working in pharmaceutical, life sciences, laboratory, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of RS-232/serial communications, USB connectivity, and instrument data extraction methods.
• Experience designing or implementing automated data collection solutions involving standalone or legacy equipment.
• Familiarity with communication gateways, edge computing devices, instrument drivers, vendor-specific interfaces, or related integration technologies.
• Understanding of centralized data storage, network shares, secure data transfer, and enterprise backup processes.
• Knowledge of GxP data integrity principles, electronic records, audit trails, and applicable regulatory expectations.
• Ability to evaluate technical feasibility across equipment from multiple manufacturers and generations.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, solution design, and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to independently assess requirements, recommend a practical solution, and support proof-of-concept development.
• Must be based in the United States and available to collaborate during Eastern Time business hours as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience integrating laboratory instruments such as balances, pH meters, titrators, dissolution testers, TOC analyzers, or similar analytical and manufacturing equipment.
• Familiarity with laboratory instrument manufacturers such as Mettler Toledo, Agilent, Waters, or comparable vendors.
• Experience with serial-to-Ethernet converters, industrial IoT gateways, device communication protocols, or custom data acquisition applications.
• Experience with scripting or programming for instrument communication and automated file transfers.
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory data management, or scientific instrument integration platforms.
• Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, ALCOA+ data integrity principles, and computerized system validation.
• Experience developing technical proof-of-concept solutions and estimating implementation resources and costs.
• Experience supporting multisite deployments in regulated environments.
• Familiarity with Cohesity or comparable enterprise backup platforms.

Project Scope:

• The initial engagement will focus on assessing equipment and connectivity requirements across approximately 2-3 US locations, designing a practical solution, and demonstrating feasibility through a pilot or proof of concept.
• The selected consultant may also support broader implementation, depending on the proposed architecture and project requirements.
• The primary objective is to establish an automated, centrally managed process for preserving electronic instrument data, with manual intervention limited to exceptions or equipment that cannot support automation.
• This is a hands-on technical consulting opportunity requiring both solution design and practical instrument integration experience.

Additional Information:

Alphanumeric is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Please Note: We are unable to accept applications from third-party agencies for this position. Candidates must be eligible to work directly on Alphanumeric's W2 without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.