Los Angeles, California, United States
Onsite
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Senior Field Applications Specialist – Mass Spectrometry - West Coast (San Diego/ Los Angeles)
A healthier future. It’s what drives us to innovate. To continuously advance science and ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need today and for generations to come. Creating a world where we all have more time with the people we love. That’s what makes us Roche.
The Opportunity
As a Senior Field Applications Specialist (Sr. FAS) – Mass Spectrometry, you will be a key member of our Customer Support team and the primary scientific and technical authority for Roche’s novel automated mass spectrometry solution, the cobas i601, in customer laboratories within the Core Lab space.
Because fully automated mass spectrometry is a transformative, novel technology in a clinical market accustomed to traditional LC-MS/MS workflows, you will play a critical role in bridging the gap between complex analytical chemistry and automated routine testing. You will be responsible for building customer confidence, facilitating pre-sales technical adoption, delivering robust clinical training, and guiding labs through assay validation and regulatory compliance.
As a Senior Field Applications Specialist – Mass Spectrometry, you will:
Drive Scientific Adoption & Market Trust: Consult with clinical laboratory directors, pathologists, and LC-MS specialists to communicate the fundamental science, reliability, and operational advantages of automated mass spectrometry over traditional manual LC-MS/MS systems.
Pre-Sales Technical & Consultative Support: Partner with the commercial sales team as a subject matter expert. Lead technical presentations, address deep analytical and methodology concerns (e.g., ion suppression, matrix effects, mass accuracy, sensitivity), demonstrate menu expansion, and guide potential buyers through the transition to automated mass spec.
Method Validation & Regulatory Compliance: Guide lab personnel through assay implementation, verification, and validation protocols (CLSI guidelines, CAP, CLIA, ISO requirements) to ensure full regulatory compliance and seamless go-live status.
Build & Maintain Key Relationships: Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring high customer satisfaction and positioning Roche as a long-term partner in clinical diagnostic excellence.
System Implementation & Application: Assist with the installation of mass spec instrumentation, automated front-end sample prep, and software applications in customer labs. Validate system performance to ensure it consistently meets or exceeds manufacturer specifications.
Deliver Comprehensive Training: Deliver on-site training to laboratory personnel on the operation, routine maintenance, theory of mass spectrometry, quality control (QC), calibration strategies, and automated data interpretation.
Advanced Technical Troubleshooting: Act as the primary on-site resource for resolving complex analytical, software, and hardware issues related to mass spectrometry and automated sample handling. Perform root cause analysis to minimize downtime.
Voice of Customer Feedback: Collect critical feedback on product performance, software usability, and workflow bottlenecks, relaying insights back to R&D and commercial leadership to drive continuous platform improvement.
Operational Execution: Follow Roche protocols, maintain accurate records in Roche’s CRM system, and handle administrative duties (travel, expense reporting) promptly.
This is a field-base role - overnight travel within a designated territory West Coast (San Diego/ Los Angeles) is expected > 80% of the time, depending on regional customer implementation and pre-sales needs.
A company vehicle is provided with this position.
Who You Are:
Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology or Clinical Laboratory or equivalent work experience.
3 + years of experience implementing and evaluating complex laboratory, IT products, medical diagnostic equipment, reagents and/or systems.
Preferred Qualifications
3+ years of direct, hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting mass spectrometry platforms (LC-MS/MS) in a clinical, reference, or diagnostic laboratory setting.
In-depth understanding of mass spectrometry fundamentals, including triple-quadrupole systems, ionization techniques (ESI/APCI), chromatographic separations, sample preparation techniques, and quantitative data analysis.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders (lab directors, technicians, procurement teams).
Advanced Degree: Master’s or Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related clinical science with a focus on LC-MS/MS.
Clinical Certifications: Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technologist (ASCP/AMT) or Board Certification in Clinical Chemistry / Toxicological Chemistry.
Regulatory Expertise: Strong working knowledge of clinical laboratory regulatory standards (CLIA, CAP, FDA, CLSI validation guidelines) specifically as they apply to clinical mass spectrometry and laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) / IVDs.
Sales Collaboration: Prior pre-sales support, application consulting, or customer-facing experience explaining novel diagnostic platforms.
Automation Knowledge: Experience with automated liquid handling, integrated automated front-end sample preparation, or automated clinical chemistry/immunoassay systems (e.g., cobas platforms).
Troubleshooting Excellence: Proven track record of independently diagnosing complex analytical, chromatographic, or hardware issues.
Consultative Drive: Exceptional interpersonal, coaching, and stakeholder management skills with a passion for driving paradigm shifts in clinical lab operations.
Relocation benefits are not available for this job posting
The expected salary range for this position based on the primary location of California is $80,300.00 - $149,100.00. Actual pay will be determined based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position is eligible to earn incentive compensation that is calculated and paid in accordance with the applicable Incentive Compensation Plan for the role. This position also qualifies for the benefits detailed at the link provided below.
A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100’000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.
Let’s build a healthier future, together.
Roche is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy and practice to employ, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and applicants on the basis of merit, qualifications, and competence. The company's policy prohibits unlawful discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination on the basis of Protected Veteran status, individuals with disabilities status, and consistent with all federal, state, or local laws.
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