Laboratory Instrument Integration Solutions Architect Location: Remote - United States (Eastern Time Zone preferred) Employment Type: Project-Based Consulting / Contract Travel: Potential travel to US client sites, as needed Start: ASAP About the Opportunity Alphanumeric is seeking an experienced Laboratory Instrument Integration Solutions Architect to design and implement an automated data collection solution for standalone laboratory and manufacturing instruments within a regulated pharmaceutical environment. This project focuses on developing a scalable, repeatable, and supportable approach to preserving electronically generated instrument data while significantly reducing manual intervention.
The environment includes a diverse population of legacy and modern laboratory instruments, many of which operate independently of traditional IT networks and rely on RS-232, USB, or Ethernet interfaces for data access. The ideal consultant will combine hands-on instrument integration expertise with solution architecture capabilities, including the ability to assess technical feasibility, recommend technologies, develop a proof of concept, and support implementation. What You'll be Doing
- Assess existing laboratory and manufacturing instruments to determine available connectivity, data extraction capabilities, and integration limitations.
- Design and implement automated or semi-automated data collection solutions using RS-232, USB, Ethernet, and other supported interfaces.
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate technologies, including communication gateways, edge devices, software agents, vendor solutions, or custom integrations.
- Develop a scalable architecture for transferring instrument-generated data to centralized network storage for protection through existing enterprise backup systems.
- Design solutions that minimize the need for manual data extraction, physical laptop connections, and removable storage devices.
- Develop and demonstrate a proof of concept (POC) to validate technical feasibility with representative instruments.
- Preserve original instrument data, timestamps, and available metadata in accordance with applicable data integrity requirements.
- Establish monitoring, logging, exception handling, and failure notifications to support reliable data collection.
- Address integration challenges involving legacy equipment, proprietary interfaces, limited internal storage, and FIFO/overwrite data models.
- Assess opportunities to support multiple instruments through shared collection infrastructure rather than dedicated computers.
- Identify equipment that cannot support automated extraction and recommend practical alternative approaches.
- Collaborate with client IT, laboratory, manufacturing, quality, and infrastructure teams to ensure compatibility with existing systems and procedures.
- Document proposed architecture, hardware/software requirements, implementation approach, technical limitations, and estimated project costs.
- Support implementation and knowledge transfer following approval of the proposed solution.
What You'll Bring (Required)
- Demonstrated experience with laboratory instrument integration, industrial data acquisition, laboratory automation, or IT/OT systems integration.
- Experience working in pharmaceutical, life sciences, laboratory, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- Hands-on knowledge of RS-232/serial communications, USB connectivity, and instrument data extraction methods.
- Experience designing or implementing automated data collection solutions involving standalone or legacy equipment.
- Familiarity with communication gateways, edge computing devices, instrument drivers, vendor-specific interfaces, or related integration technologies.
- Understanding of centralized data storage, network shares, secure data transfer, and enterprise backup processes.
- Knowledge of GxP data integrity principles, electronic records, audit trails, and applicable regulatory expectations.
- Ability to evaluate technical feasibility across equipment from multiple manufacturers and generations.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, solution design, and technical documentation skills.
- Ability to independently assess requirements, recommend a practical solution, and support proof-of-concept development.
- Must be based in the United States and available to collaborate during Eastern Time business hours as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience integrating laboratory instruments such as balances, pH meters, titrators, dissolution testers, TOC analyzers, or similar analytical and manufacturing equipment.
- Familiarity with laboratory instrument manufacturers such as Mettler Toledo, Agilent, Waters, or comparable vendors.
- Experience with serial-to-Ethernet converters, industrial IoT gateways, device communication protocols, or custom data acquisition applications.
- Experience with scripting or programming for instrument communication and automated file transfers.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory data management, or scientific instrument integration platforms.
- Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, ALCOA+ data integrity principles, and computerized system validation.
- Experience developing technical proof-of-concept solutions and estimating implementation resources and costs.
- Experience supporting multisite deployments in regulated environments.
- Familiarity with Cohesity or comparable enterprise backup platforms.
Project Scope
- The initial engagement will focus on assessing equipment and connectivity requirements across approximately 2-3 US locations, designing a practical solution, and demonstrating feasibility through a pilot or proof of concept.
- The selected consultant may also support broader implementation, depending on the proposed architecture and project requirements.
- The primary objective is to establish an automated, centrally managed process for preserving electronic instrument data, with manual intervention limited to exceptions or equipment that cannot support automation.
- This is a hands-on technical consulting opportunity requiring both solution design and practical instrument integration experience.
Additional Information Alphanumeric is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.
Please Note: We are unable to accept applications from third-party agencies for this position. Candidates must be eligible to work directly on Alphanumeric's W2 without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
What You'll Bring (Required)
- Demonstrated experience with laboratory instrument integration, industrial data acquisition, laboratory automation, or IT/OT systems integration.
- Experience working in pharmaceutical, life sciences, laboratory, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
- Hands-on knowledge of RS-232/serial communications, USB connectivity, and instrument data extraction methods.
- Experience designing or implementing automated data collection solutions involving standalone or legacy equipment.
- Familiarity with communication gateways, edge computing devices, instrument drivers, vendor-specific interfaces, or related integration technologies.
- Understanding of centralized data storage, network shares, secure data transfer, and enterprise backup processes.
- Knowledge of GxP data integrity principles, electronic records, audit trails, and applicable regulatory expectations.
- Ability to evaluate technical feasibility across equipment from multiple manufacturers and generations.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, solution design, and technical documentation skills.
- Ability to independently assess requirements, recommend a practical solution, and support proof-of-concept development.
- Must be based in the United States and available to collaborate during Eastern Time business hours as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience integrating laboratory instruments such as balances, pH meters, titrators, dissolution testers, TOC analyzers, or similar analytical and manufacturing equipment.
- Familiarity with laboratory instrument manufacturers such as Mettler Toledo, Agilent, Waters, or comparable vendors.
- Experience with serial-to-Ethernet converters, industrial IoT gateways, device communication protocols, or custom data acquisition applications.
- Experience with scripting or programming for instrument communication and automated file transfers.
- Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory data management, or scientific instrument integration platforms.
- Knowledge of 21 CFR Part 11, ALCOA+ data integrity principles, and computerized system validation.
- Experience developing technical proof-of-concept solutions and estimating implementation resources and costs.
- Experience supporting multisite deployments in regulated environments.
- Familiarity with Cohesity or comparable enterprise backup platforms.
Project Scope
- The initial engagement will focus on assessing equipment and connectivity requirements across approximately 2-3 US locations, designing a practical solution, and demonstrating feasibility through a pilot or proof of concept.
- The selected consultant may also support broader implementation, depending on the proposed architecture and project requirements.
- The primary objective is to establish an automated, centrally managed process for preserving electronic instrument data, with manual intervention limited to exceptions or equipment that cannot support automation.
- This is a hands-on technical consulting opportunity requiring both solution design and practical instrument integration experience.
Additional Information Alphanumeric is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.
Please Note: We are unable to accept applications from third-party agencies for this position. Candidates must be eligible to work directly on Alphanumeric's W2 without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.