Job Responsibilities
Provide Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
coordination for the section: create & maintain Job, Analysis,
Specification Login, Work Profile templates and other tables.
Generate & validate Analysis test scripts. Conduct LIMS "on-the-
job" training.
Perform Receiving Inspection and misc/outside services test
services. Review Engineering Purchasing Specification and other
document updates, (including those requiring LIMS modifications).
Document results in lab notebooks and in LIMS lab reports.
Perform lab tasks safely to prevent injuries. Report safety
concerns. Perfom as supervisor and analyst for the Process Bench,
performing the numerous weekly titration, gravimetric,
electrometric, spectrophotometric, etc. tests required plus the
administrative and Quality Assurance Audits involved.
Supervise and train junior analysts, act as a mentor. Coordinate
analytical protocols with Materials & Processes Engineering.
Write/edit lab procedures per Quality System, and keep LIMS tests
and spec limits current with Product Assurance Standard
revisions. Maintain monthly Process Control Engineering process
tank data plots. Review Process Bench Analytical Procedures for
accuracy.
|
Job Requirements
Job entry level requires degree in chemistry, or other science
degree and significant laboratory work. There is currently an
emphasis on hiring new and recent graduates, rather than
experienced personnel.
There are two "ladders" - technical and administrative, so the
engineers can stay in engineering and still advance to
responsible positions with good salary.
Masters and PhD would be advantageous, but could be earned at
company expense after hire.
Most duties are learned "on the job", taught by senior personnel.
Some of the specialized training is also done by the manufacturer
of the instrument or equipment, either onsite or at their
facility.
|
Uppers
I enjoy the laboratory work, which is pretty similar from week to week, with
occasional new questions or projects. I tried admin work, but didn't like it, and
returned to the lab. Some people's personality is like that, for us, the work is
great. Not much stress, routine non-overtime work week, don't take problems or
work home. The occasional "emergency" adds spice and excitement.
We have lots of high-tech instrumentation (think CSI), and lots of computer use.
Lots of training is given and much more is available online or through local
colleges (Stanford, Santa Clara)
|
Downers
I deal with really nasty chemicals, so must be very careful to
protect myself, others, and the environment by following the
strict procedures. The work is routine, some people can't stand
it (for people who don't like routine, other work areas handle
the problems - contamination control, failure analysis, etc. -
they get the "I need it yesterday!" jobs that I don't want).
The company sets the admin policies, some are burdensome, others
are reasonable, some are quite good. The lab is indoors with no
windows, the office cubicles are also no windows.
|
Lifestyle
I work a 9/80 week (every other Friday off, 9-hour work days) Monday through
Friday. Business travel depends on your work group, some people have to fly all
over the country, and be gone several to many days at a time. I haven't been away
on business in many years. The company sponsors many social events, and many
meetings have refreshments served. The company also gets employee discounts from
many outside organizations and businesses (car rental, appliance, hardware,
phone, computers, software, etc.). Dress code for non-customer contact is casual,
analysts have labcoats provided. Diversity and ethics are strongly and vigorously
supported and mandated by management, hotlines and annual training refresh our
memories. New hires have many interesting programs to acquaint them with the
company and each other.
|
Compensation
Compensation is calculated based on seniority, grade, and
performance evaluation. It is also set relative to prevailing
market conditions for comparable jobs in the area. Annual raises
are determined by upper management as company-wide decision based
on the economy, company performance/profit, etc. Bonuses and
stock options are not very common at lower levels. Benefits are
very good: life, medical, dental, vision insurance; 401k with
company contribution; good retirement benefits.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
Take a personality test and find out what kind of job you will
enjoy. Some people love this kind of work, others can't stand it.
Due to the "hands on" nature of the testing, this job would not
be outsourced. Lockheed Martin has backlog contracts for several
decades, and new business is continually contracted.
|
|
