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Service Engineer, Analytical Instrumentation

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Manufacturing

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a repair you could not figure out at first. What did you do to get it solved?

What they are checking: Persistence and knowing when and how to pull in vendors or senior engineers.

How do you keep up with new instrument models and software you have never worked on?

What they are checking: The habit of continuous learning the role says it requires.

Tell me about a time a lab customer was frustrated with you or your team. What did you do?

What they are checking: Customer relationship skills under pressure.

What would you do

A scientist needs their instrument back today for a release test, but the fix needs a part that arrives tomorrow. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Balancing customer pressure with honesty and creative workarounds that keep the lab compliant.

You have five service calls open across different labs and one of them is down hard. How do you plan your day?

What they are checking: Prioritizing by impact and communicating clearly with the labs who will wait.

About the work

Walk me through how you troubleshoot an HPLC that suddenly shows high back pressure and drifting retention times.

What they are checking: A systematic, isolate-one-variable approach to chromatography faults.

What preventive maintenance do you do on a GC system, and how often?

What they are checking: Hands-on knowledge of routine GC upkeep like inlet liners, septa, columns and detectors.

How would you approach a mass spec that has lost sensitivity since its last service?

What they are checking: Understanding where mass spec performance degrades, such as source cleanliness, tuning and vacuum.

Explain what it means to qualify a chromatography system. What goes into an OQ or PQ, and why does it matter in a regulated lab?

What they are checking: Understanding instrument qualification and its role in GMP data integrity.

How do you document a repair or calibration so it holds up in an audit?

What they are checking: Good documentation practice and awareness that service records are GMP records.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Purpose: The Analytical Instrument Service Engineer supports a diverse range of laboratory environments by providing expertise in the installation, maintenance, and repair of advanced scientific instruments (including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and mass-spectrometry systems). This role requires continuous learning to keep pace with evolving laboratory equipment and technologies. Under the guidance of managers, specialists, and engineers, the technician rapidly develops necessary skills to deliver exceptional service and support. Beyond technical mastery, this position is responsible for comprehensive service and customer relationship management—diagnosing instrument issues, performing preventive maintenance, and qualifying chromatography systems. Success relies on strong communication, creativity, and a customer-focused problem-solving approach to keep laboratory operations efficient and help customers achieve scientific goals. Responsibilities: • Develop and maintain up-to-date technical skills and expertise in the installation, maintenance, calibration, and repair of analytical lab instrumentation such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and mass-spectrometry systems. • Diagnose and resolve instrumentation performance issues via troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive maintenance. • Coordinate problem resolution with cross functional groups and external suppliers to expedite services and repairs. • Advise customers on preventive maintenance and system configurations to improve performance and minimize downtime. • Review technical documentation, analyze reports, and recommend corrective actions as needed. • Use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track service requests and document activities. • Train peer technicians on equipment use, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting. • Maintain compliance with company policies, including internal department, quality system, and health and safety policies. • Meet customer expectations, maintain relationships, and provide follow-up plans. • Other responsibilities and duties as assigned. • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science-related field (e.g., Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Engineering, Biology) highly preferred; equivalent education, training, or experience will be considered. • Associates degree or high school diploma/GED with 5+ years of directly relevant experience may be acceptable. • 3+ years of hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, such as Spectrophotometers, Chromatography Systems (LC, GC, HPLC/UPLC, SFC), and Mass Spectrometry Systems. • Eagerness to learn and keep pace with new technologies and laboratory solutions. • Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and address specific customer needs. • Personal integrity and commitment to quality • Effective time management and ability to prioritize service requests. • Advanced troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving abilities • Ability to produce clear and concise documentation All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​ • The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​ • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​ • This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​ ​ Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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