Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

Job Description Summary:

The Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals supports cigarette smoke generation and collection, sample receipt and preparation, and physical characterization testing for combustible and non-combustible tobacco, nicotine, and inhalable products within the insourced laboratory team as part of an End-to-End (E2E) Laboratory Modernization Program. Staff on this team typically concentrate in one of these three areas based on assignment, while collaborating closely given the shared sample flow across smoke generation, prep, and physical testing. This role operates within an ISO 17025 accredited analytical production laboratory at a client site. The Senior Technician independently performs advanced sample preparation and laboratory support activities for these functions and provides guidance to Technician staff.

Job Responsibilities

• Operate, calibrate, and maintain smoking machines and associated collection equipment used to generate and collect mainstream cigarette smoke under controlled laboratory conditions; assemble impinger systems and collection apparatus for carbonyls, ammonia, VOCs, and other smoke constituents.
• Perform smoke sample preparation and support analyses used to quantify total particulate matter (TPM) and carbon monoxide.
• Receive, log, and prepare samples for analytical testing in accordance with established procedures and chain-of-custody requirements, including preparation and digestion supporting chromatographic, elemental, aerosol, and physical testing laboratories.
• Perform physical characterization testing, including moisture content, water activity, density, pH, particle size, dimensional measurements, resistance-to-draw, and ventilation assessments.
• Perform measurements used to evaluate product dimensions, circumference, length, and tobacco weight characteristics.
• Prepare reagents, solvents, and consumables required to support downstream analytical workflows across smoke, prep, and physical testing activities.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain specialized physical testing and smoke collection instrumentation and associated laboratory equipment.
• Verify equipment performance and ensure testing activities comply with established procedures and quality requirements.
• Review analytical data and laboratory records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with ISO 17025 standards.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and collection systems and participate in investigations involving atypical results, deviations, and equipment issues.
• Support method validation, equipment qualification, and technology transfer activities across smoke, prep, and physical testing methodologies.
• Maintain sample traceability and chain-of-custody, and accurate laboratory documentation in accordance with ISO 17025 requirements.
• Collaborate with analytical scientists across multiple testing programs to ensure samples and results are prepared and generated efficiently and consistently.
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced personnel as appropriate to level.
• Maintain training and compliance in health, safety, environmental, and operational requirements.
• Train and provide day-to-day guidance to Technician staff on prep procedures, SOPs, and safe work practices.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of routine preparation equipment and escalate complex issues appropriately.
• Perform quality checks on completed prep work prior to hand-off for analysis.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-stocked work area, including routine housekeeping and supply inventory.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job at any time.

Critical Skills:

• Knowledge of smoking machine operation, calibration, and aerosol/smoke capture methodologies.
• Knowledge of physical characterization methods (pH, moisture, density, particle size, dimensional, resistance-to-draw).
• Strong understanding of sample handling, preparation, digestion, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Understanding of laboratory quality systems and ISO 17025 requirements.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple analytical groups and testing programs.

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of relevant laboratory or manufacturing experience.
• OR Associate degree in a science-related field with 1+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and mentor others in a regulated laboratory environment.
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple concurrent prep tasks with minimal supervision.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience operating smoking machines and aerosol collection systems; familiarity with tobacco smoke chemistry and regulatory testing methodologies.
• Experience performing sample preparation and digestion procedures supporting chromatography and elemental analyses.
• Experience performing physical characterization of consumer products, including particle size analysis, moisture/water activity, and dimensional measurement systems.
• Experience with LIMS and electronic laboratory documentation systems.
• Experience within ISO 17025, GLP, or GMP environments.
• Knowledge of tobacco and nicotine product testing requirements.
• Experience supporting method validation and technology transfer activities.

Working Environment:

• Must be able to work in a laboratory, controlled environments requiring personal protective equipment (e.g., lab coat, safety glasses, etc.) in laboratory.
• Job pace may be fast and job completion demands may be high.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position more than 25% of the time.
• The person needs to occasionally move between labs, corridors, adjoining rooms, and buildings onsite. Frequently operate on instruments, objects, tools or controls, which will require regularly bending, squatting, stretching and reaching in order to perform in a service function.
• Occasionally move or lift up to 25 pounds (potential for occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds).
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include without limitation, the ability to observe details at close range distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus in order to perform the essential service functions of this position.
• Occasionally operates a computer and other office machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Employee may be required to handle hazardous waste according to local, state, and federal regulations. Duties may include identifying, handling, generating, accumulating, storing and labeling hazardous waste.
• Potential risk to lab-based hazards including but not limited to extreme temperature, biological materials, and hazardous chemicals.
• May be required to complete Medical Clearance, Respiratory Protection Training, and Fit Testing to wear a respirator as protection against hazards present in the laboratory environment.

The annual compensation range for this full-time position is $50,000 to $60,000. The final base pay offered to the successful candidate will be determined by factors including internal equity, work location, as well as individual qualifications, such as job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.