Data Systems Specialist - Laboratories at Onterris in Orange, CA

Job description

About Us At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact. “For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive. When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact. Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way. A Day in the Life Onterris Laboratories, located in Orange, CA, is seeking a Laboratory Data Systems Specialist to serve as the bridge between laboratory operations and technology solutions by translating business needs into practical tools, workflows, reporting solutions, automation opportunities, and system enhancements that improve efficiency, reduce manual effort, and support laboratory growth. If you are a data systems person disguised as a chemist, then this position is what you’re looking for! The ideal candidate already works in CT LIMS in a chemistry or data review role and genuinely enjoys the technology side of the work. This is not a traditional programming role: we want logical, lab-savvy people who write clear specifications and run user testing, using approved AI tools to do the coding. A primary focus of this role is CT LIMS, the Onterris Enterprise LIMS at the Orange and Anaheim sites. The role serves as the onsite technical systems advocate for Orange and Anaheim, promoting adoption, standardization, and effective use of enterprise systems while ensuring legitimate operational and client needs are understood, translated into actionable technical requirements, appropriately prioritized, and tracked through resolution The role follows a standard-first approach: before pursuing new reports, EDDs, customizations, or other development, it determines whether the need can be met through existing CT LIMS functionality or another established enterprise system and supports users in adopting standard solutions wherever possible. Custom solutions should be pursued only when a requirement is essential, justified, and cannot reasonably be met through standard functionality. When a need cannot yet be met, a documented interim workaround may be used outside LIMS, provided the requirement is formally registered and tracked to permanent resolution. The role serves as the local point of contact for routine CT LIMS configuration and user requirements, coordinating with the enterprise LIMS team as needed, but does not develop or modify CT LIMS code. This is a 100% onsite position, M-F normal business hours, working between our Orange and Anaheim locations. Reports to: Laboratory Director, with dotted line into Director of Enterprise LIMS, Dedicated 100% to the Orange and Anaheim laboratories, with day-to-day work directed by the Orange Laboratory Director in coordination with the LIMS team. Full-time permanent. The compensation range for this role is $30 to $40 , commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location. To thrive in this role, you’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities: Partner with laboratory, project management, business development, and operational excellence teams to understand operational and client requirements. Gather and document business requirements for reporting, automation, workflow, and system enhancements, working from priorities set by Laboratory Management. Classify each as Use As-Is, Work Around, or Build New with documented rationale, challenging requests that reflect preference rather than need given the long-term maintenance cost of bespoke work. The Laboratory Director and the Director of Enterprise LIMS then collaborate to re-