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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Mass Spectrometry Scientist LCMSMS HRMS GCMS - **Company:** Vanguard - **Location:** Olympia, WA, United States - **Experience:** Experienced - **Salary:** $64,000.0 - $96,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Data Analysis, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), Routing, Performance Tuning, Chromeleon, Technical Data Management Systems - **Published:** September 19, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=94f629cafc82fd75 ## About the Role * Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in analytical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, or a related field, or equivalent directly relevant experience. * Significant hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting mass spectrometry systems. * Experience with LC-MS/MS, HRMS, GC-MS, or a combination of these platforms. * Demonstrated method-development or validation experience, not only operation of established methods. * Strong understanding of chromatography, ionization, fragmentation, calibration, quantitation, spectral interpretation, and sample preparation. * Ability to independently evaluate data and recognize technically questionable results. * Experience preparing SOPs, validation records, technical reports, or controlled documents. * Systematic troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. * Ability to balance development work with routine testing and turnaround requirements. * Strong communication skills and ownership of projects through completion., * Experience analyzing peptides, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, SARMs/SERMs, nootropics, or related small molecules. * Experience with QTRAP, Orbitrap, QTOF, triple-quadrupole, ion-trap, or comparable systems. * Experience with accurate-mass analysis, deconvolution, and MS/MS interpretation. * Experience with peptide characterization, impurity investigation, quantitative pharmaceutical methods, or supplement adulterant screening. * Experience with Analyst, Xcalibur, Chromeleon, TraceFinder, BioPharma Finder, or comparable software. * Experience in an ISO/IEC 17025, GMP, GLP, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, supplement, or contract-testing laboratory. * Experience with high-throughput testing, technical review, or analyst training. Schedule Our standard operating hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Alternate schedules may be arranged when they meet laboratory needs. Compensation and Benefits The anticipated salary is $64,000-$96,000 per year, depending on education, directly relevant experience, instrumentation knowledge, method-development ability, and technical independence., * lc/ms/ms: 2 years (Required) ## Description We are seeking a well-rounded Mass Spectrometry Scientist with strong hands-on experience in instrument operation, method development, troubleshooting, data interpretation, and technical documentation. Experience analyzing peptides, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, or related small molecules is strongly preferred. This is not a narrowly defined production-testing position. The successful candidate will work with LC-MS/MS, Orbitrap HRMS, GC-MS, HPLC, and UHPLC. Responsibilities include developing and validating methods, performing routine testing, investigating unexpected results, reviewing data, maintaining instruments, and training other analysts. Our instrumentation includes a SCIEX 4500 QTRAP LC-MS/MS, Thermo Scientific Orbitrap Exploris 120, GC-MS systems, and HPLC/UHPLC systems with UV/DAD and other detectors. Experience with comparable platforms is welcome. What You Will DoMass Spectrometry and Chromatography * Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot LC-MS/MS, HRMS, GC-MS, HPLC, and UHPLC systems. * Develop targeted LC-MS/MS methods using MRM and other appropriate acquisition modes. * Perform HRMS analysis for accurate-mass confirmation, isotope-pattern evaluation, charge-state analysis, spectral deconvolution, and impurity characterization. * Perform qualitative and quantitative GC-MS analysis where appropriate. * Optimize sample preparation, extraction, cleanup, columns, mobile phases, gradients, source conditions, collision energies, acquisition parameters, and processing settings. * Establish efficient, high-throughput workflows without compromising traceability, system suitability, or data quality. * Perform routine analyses when needed to support client turnaround times. Peptide, Pharmaceutical and Supplement Testing * Analyze synthetic peptides, pharmaceutical ingredients, finished products, dietary supplements, research compounds, and related materials. * Confirm identity using reference standards, retention time, accurate mass, isotope pattern, and MS/MS fragmentation. * Evaluate peptide charge states, adducts, fragments, degradation products, and sequence-related impurities. * Investigate oxidation, deamidation, truncations, deletion sequences, hydrolysis products, synthesis byproducts, and other modifications. * Develop quantitative methods for active ingredients, impurities, adulterants, degradation products, and contaminants. * Address matrix effects, ion suppression or enhancement, extraction recovery, analyte adsorption, solubility, carryover, and stability. * Support screening and confirmation methods for supplement actives, undeclared adulterants, SARMs/SERMs, nootropics, and other small molecules. * Provide defensible interpretations without overstating what the data demonstrate. Method Development and Validation * Develop, optimize, verify, validate, and implement analytical methods. * Review scientific literature, compendial procedures, regulatory references, and manufacturer information. * Design validation studies addressing specificity, selectivity, linearity, range, accuracy, recovery, precision, LOD/LOQ, carryover, matrix effects, dilution integrity, stability, robustness, and measurement uncertainty where applicable. * Document development trials, including unsuccessful approaches and troubleshooting decisions. * Prepare validation protocols and reports, SOPs, worksheets, instrument procedures, review checklists, and training records. * Transition validated methods into routine use and train analysts before independent testing. Data Review, Troubleshooting and Quality * Review chromatograms, mass spectra, calibration models, system-suitability results, controls, blanks, calculations, technical data packages, and Certificates of Analysis. * Evaluate integration, retention time, ion ratios, mass accuracy, isotope fit, spectral quality, calibration performance, and QC acceptance. * Distinguish legitimate signals from background ions, fragments, adducts, carryover, contamination, and processing artifacts. * Investigate atypical, inconsistent, out-of-specification, or out-of-trend results. * Troubleshoot sensitivity loss, mass drift, calibration failure, unstable spray, poor chromatography, contamination, carryover, ion suppression, vacuum problems, leaks, and inconsistent fragmentation. * Perform source cleaning, tuning, calibration, preventative maintenance, and consumable replacement. * Track instrument performance and coordinate vendor service when needed. * Work within our ISO/IEC 17025 quality system and maintain complete, traceable, defensible records. * Participate in investigations, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, proficiency testing, audits, and accreditation activities. * Mentor analysts and provide technical guidance regarding methods, sample requirements, limitations, and result interpretation. ## Related Videos - [Geometric deep learning for drug discovery](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/264-geometric-deep-learning-for-drug-discovery) - [Creating a routing app with Google Maps API from scratch](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/831-creating-a-routing-app-with-google-maps-api-from-scratch) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) - [Leading in Rhythm: How Women Make Better Decisions with Biological Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2124-leading-in-rhythm-how-women-make-better-decisions-with-biological-intelligence) - [A Technical Introduction to Bitcoin's 2nd Layer- The Lightning Network](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/15-a-technical-introduction-to-bitcoin-s-2nd-layer-the-lightning-network) - [Data Science on Software Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/162-data-science-on-software-data) ## Related Articles - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Data Analyst Salary in Switzerland](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/276-data-analyst-salary-in-switzerland) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Data Analyst Salary Germany](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/277-data-analyst-salary-germany) - [DevOps Engineer Salary [2023]](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/203-devops-engineer-salary-2023) - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk)