OEM Computer Specialist

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Role Purpose

The OEM Computer Specialist is the technical visionary responsible for the compute backbone of Thermo Fishers instrumentation portfolio. This role bridges the gap between scientific instrument design and the rapid release cycles of Tier-1 hardware (Dell HP) silicon (NVIDIA Intel) and software (Microsoft) partners.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Harmonization & Governance

• Multi-Divisional Standards:Drive the harmonization of computer and OS architectures across disparate Thermo Fisher divisions (Analytical Instruments Life Sciences Specialty Diagnostics) to leverage enterprise-scale buying power and simplify global support.
• Strategic Interface Management:Negotiate requirements betweenThermo Fishers specialized scientific groups Tier-1 hardware vendors (Dell/HP) and external integrators to ensure a consistent branded and high-performance product.
• Lifecycle Convergence:Harmonize mismatched product lifecycles across the enterprise by coordinating Last Time Buy programs and multi-year supply strategies for shared hardware components.
• Compliance Unification:Consolidate to asingle quality management frameworkfor computer systems validation (CSV) reducing redundant documentation efforts across divisions while maintaining rigorousFDA 21 CFR Part 11standards.
• Design Synchronization:Help create a unified framework for Golden Images and hardware builds that allows different instrument groups to share core components while maintaining the ability to specialize where scientifically necessary.

2. Strategic Lifecycle & Roadmap Management

• Multi-Tier Lifecycle Alignment:Synchronize the 10-year lifecycle of scientific instruments with the 1836 month refresh cycles of Tier-1 vendors. Secure Extended Lifecycle (XE/XL) hardware to prevent premature obsolescence.
• Supplier Diplomacy:Act as the primary technical interface forDell OEM Solutions NVIDIA and Microsoft influencing their future roadmaps to meet the specific power thermal and stability needs of lab environments

3. Regulatory Compliance & Validation

• Define Validated Base Images:Architect and maintain Locked Configurations for OS and hardware ( 10/11 IoT Enterprise LTSC) to ensure a stable reproducible environment required forInstallation (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) FDA 21 CFR Part 11and GxP compliance.
• Serviceable Security:Negotiate cybersecurity requirements to protect instruments from network threats while ensuring the OS is not so locked down that Field Service Engineers (FSEs) cannot perform diagnostics or local repairs.
• Quality Risk Management:ConductValidation Risk Assessments (RA)for any proposed computer hardware changes ensuring that technology refreshes do not compromise the instruments validated state.

4. Integrator & Operations Management

• Integrator Governance:Direct third-partyComputer Integrators(e.g. Unicom Avnet MBX) on custom hardware builds including custom BIOS settings branding/labeling and specialized shock-resistant packaging.
• Integrator Management:Act as the primary technical point of contact for external Computer Integrators. Oversee the conversion of standard Tier-1 (Dell/HP) hardware into Thermo Fisher Branded appliances through custom imaging BIOS configuration and hardware hardening.
• Custom Hardware Engineering:Specify and validate mechanical customizations including custom labeling (branding/regulatory silk-screening) specialized packaging (shock-vibration protection) and unique physical security features (port blockers custom cabling).
• OS & Image Governance:Manage the delivery and maintenance of golden images (Windows LTSC/Linux) to the integrator. Ensure the deployment of Locked OS environments that disable non-essential services to guarantee instrument stability and security.
• Supply Chain Continuity:Manage Long-Term Stocking programs and Last-Time-Buy (LTB) events with the integrator to bridge gaps between Dell/NVIDIA hardware EOL dates and the end-of-support dates for Thermo Fisher instruments.

Required Qualifications

• Education:B.S. or greater in Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience:3 years in systems architecture specifically within anOEM integrationor industrial computing context
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of computer hardware fundamentals (CPU RAM data logic).Strong knowledge ofDell/HP OEM portfoliosandNVIDIA GPU architectures. Expertise inWindows IoT Enterprise LTSCand Linux hardening.
• Soft Skills:Exceptional strategic thinking analytical problem-solving and the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Enterprise Architecture:Strong understanding ofEnterprise Architecture (EA) governanceprinciples and their application in industrial/scientific environments.
• Technical Soft Skills:Demonstrated ability tonegotiate technical requirementsacross competing internal departments (Quality Cybersecurity Engineering and Field Service).
• Cybersecurity Knowledge:Familiarity withEndpoint Detection and Response (EDR)tools and their impact on high-performance computing environments.
• Manufacturing Instruction & SOPs:Develop the detailed Build-to-Order (BTO) documentation for the integrator defining everything from drive partitioning to the exact torque specs for custom mounting brackets.
• Quality Audit Participation:Participate in technical audits of the integrators facilities to ensure their production lines meet the quality standards required for medical device and life science instrumentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Service Background:(Preferred) Prior experience in field service or technical support to provide empathy-driven design for the serviceability of the system.
• Leadership Presence:Proven ability to influence and leadcross-functional teamsand senior stakeholders in a highly matrixed global organization.
• Conflict Resolution:Act as the final arbiter when Security Requirements conflict with Instrument Performance (e.g. anti-virus scans interrupting high-speed data acquisition from a mass spec).