Laboratory System Solutions and Support Engineer
The Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced Laboratory Systems & Instrument Integration Engineer to support and develop the technology that connects pharmaceutical laboratory instruments with wider laboratory and informatics systems.
Sitting at the intersection of laboratory instrumentation, IT and scientific systems, you'll work across everything from balances, pH meters and titrators through to HPLC, UPLC, GC, Mass Spectrometry and Chromatography Data Systems (CDS).
The role has a strong hands-on element. You'll be responsible for understanding how instruments connect, communicate and transfer data into platforms such as LIMS, ELN and SDMS, while troubleshooting issues across instruments, workstations, networks, middleware and laboratory applications.
This would suit someone who genuinely understands both sides of the laboratory environment: the scientific instrumentation itself and the IT/infrastructure behind it.
What You'll Be Doing
- Support the installation, configuration, integration, qualification, troubleshooting and lifecycle management of laboratory instruments.
- Work across analytical technologies including HPLC, UPLC, GC, LC-MS/MS, GC-MS, spectroscopy, balances, pH meters, titrators and other laboratory equipment.
- Design and support connectivity between instruments, workstations, laboratory networks, servers and enterprise applications.
- Troubleshoot instrument connectivity using technologies including Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, RS-232/RS-485, drivers, middleware and vendor integration tools.
- Support integrations between laboratory equipment and LIMS, ELN, SDMS and CDS platforms.
- Investigate failed data transfers, instrument communication issues, application connectivity problems and inaccessible or corrupted files.
- Provide specialist technical support to laboratory and scientific users.
- Work closely with QC, analytical teams, IT, automation, infrastructure, cybersecurity, Quality and CSV/CSA teams.
- Coordinate with instrument manufacturers and software vendors to resolve complex technical issues.
- Support instrument installations, upgrades, moves, replacements and decommissioning.
- Contribute to requirements, risk assessments, testing, qualification, validation, SOPs and technical documentation.
- Ensure laboratory data remains reliable, secure, traceable and compliant throughout the instrument and system lifecycle.
What We're Looking For
- Hands-on experience supporting laboratory instruments and associated software.
- Strong understanding of instrument connectivity, integration and troubleshooting.
- Experience working with laboratory informatics platforms such as LIMS, ELN, SDMS and/or CDS.
- Experience supporting analytical instrumentation such as HPLC, UPLC, GC, Mass Spectrometry or spectroscopy.
- Knowledge of laboratory networks, instrument workstations, data acquisition and data-transfer processes.
- Understanding of connectivity technologies such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, serial communication, drivers and middleware.
- Strong fault-finding capability across hardware, software, networking and laboratory applications.
- Experience working within a pharmaceutical or other regulated laboratory environment.
- Knowledge of GxP, CSV/CSA and laboratory data integrity.
- Familiarity with regulatory expectations including 21 CFR Part 11, EU GMP Annex 11 and ALCOA+.
- Ability to work effectively across scientific, IT, Quality and vendor teams.
Location & Travel
The role requires someone who can work from laboratory sites in Kent and collaborate closely with local teams.
Travel to pharmaceutical laboratory sites in Ireland and Italy will also be required, including the ability to travel at relatively short notice when necessary.
Candidates will therefore need the appropriate passport and work/travel authorisation to undertake the required business travel without avoidable administrative delays.
Why This Role?
This is a particularly interesting opportunity for someone who doesn't sit neatly in either traditional IT or laboratory science.
You’ll be working across the complete laboratory technology environment, helping ensure analytical instruments are connected correctly, scientific data flows reliably into laboratory applications, and the entire ecosystem continues to operate securely and compliantly.
For someone coming from Lab IT, Scientific Systems, Laboratory Informatics, Instrument Integration or Laboratory Systems Support, it offers a broad technical remit covering both hands‑on troubleshooting and more complex integration work.
Information Technology Specialist employer: Next Phase Recruitment
Join a dynamic and innovative pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation in Northern Ireland, where your expertise as a Technical Operations Lead will be valued and impactful. We foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and cross-functional teamwork, ensuring you thrive in your career while contributing to meaningful advancements in healthcare. Enjoy the unique advantage of working in a state-of-the-art facility that champions compliance and quality, all while being part of a supportive community dedicated to excellence.
