Engineering Lab Tech - Engineering Technical Support

Overview

Piper Companies is seeking an Engineering Lab Tech 4 to provide engineering technical support for aerosol exposure research at a high-containment government laboratory located at Fort Detrick, Maryland
. This role supports pathogenesis and medical countermeasure studies against biothreat agents by performing aerosol exposures and assisting with the design, testing, certification, and maintenance of aerosol exposure equipment.

The position operates in BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratory environments and requires strict adherence to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards,
IACUC protocols
, and USAMRIID SOPs
. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with AAT leadership, study Principal Investigators (PIs), and other technical staff while maintaining the highest standards of safety, documentation, and regulatory compliance.

• Provide mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering support for aerosol exposure systems, including design, testing, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Generate, characterize, and sample biological aerosols to support pathogenesis and medical countermeasure studies, including assisting with and supervising aerosol exposures.
• Perform animal plethysmography and provide aerosol supervision during in vivo studies conducted under IACUC authority.
• Conduct approximately 75–120 aerosol exposures per year in BSL‑2, BSL‑3, and BSL‑4 laboratory environments under the guidance of a Study PI.
• Assemble, test, and document aerosol systems in a non‑containment shop area
  , including maintaining a dedicated equipment notebook for each system.
• Coordinate review of assembled aerosol systems with AAT leadership prior to movement into containment.
• Move aerosol systems into Class III biosafety cabinets
  , perform testing, and document results in compliance with GLP and USAMRIID SOPs.
• Calibrate, validate, and certify approximately 8–12 aerosol systems annually
  .
• Perform and supervise biological decontamination of Class III biosafety cabinets following aerosol exposures (approximately 75–120 decontaminations per year
  ).
• Certify and maintain Class III biosafety cabinets and transporters
  , supporting approximately 12–15 units per year
  .
• Assist with the writing, revision, and review of SOPs to meet GLP requirements (typically 10–15 SOPs per year
  ).
• Maintain accurate records for all laboratory activities, maintenance, and certifications in accordance with GLP standards and institutional procedures.
• Attend required internal training provided by qualified AAT staff and participate in external training as determined by the government.
• Collaborate with AAT leadership to support the development and implementation of an AAT technical training program and assist in training other technical staff once qualified.
• Complete annual GLP training and maintain all required documentation.
• Promptly report any safety concerns or SOP non‑compliance in accordance with applicable guidance and regulations.
• Maintain active enrollment in the Chemical Surety Personnel Reliability Program (CS‑PRP) and Biological Personnel Reliability Program (BPRP) in accordance with contract requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering
  , or a related engineering or scientific discipline.
• Experience supporting laboratory or aerosol systems
  , including equipment assembly, maintenance, calibration, or troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with GLP standards
  , IACUC protocols
  , and highly regulated laboratory environments preferred.
• Experience or willingness to work in BSL‑2, BSL‑3, and BSL‑4 containment laboratories.
• Strong technical documentation and SOP writing skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to meet and maintain CS‑PRP and BPRP requirements and comply with all safety, reliability, and regulatory standards.

• Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year, based on experience and qualifications.
• Comprehensive Benefits: CIGNA Medical, Dental, Vision; 401k through ADP, sick time as required by law.

This job opens for applications on 1/26/2026
. Applications for this job will be accepted for…