Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

When joining PerkinElmer, you select an experienced and trusted leader in scientific solutions, with the support of a global service network and distribution centers, providing the right solution, at the right time, to meet critical customer needs.  With over an 80+ year legacy of advancing science and a mission of innovating for a healthier world, our dedicated team collaborates closely with commercial, government, academic and healthcare customers to deliver our broad portfolio of analytical solutions, and OneSource services.

Job Title

Sr. Technician, Smoke/Prep/Physicals

Location(s)

Altria (East Jackson St, Richmond) - Customer Site VA

Job Description

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, dimen