PCS Instruments

Applications Scientist

Posted 12 Days Ago

Be an Early Applicant

Cambridge, MA, USA

In-Office

Mid level

Industrial • Manufacturing

The Role

Customer-facing technical role to drive US commercial growth for tribology instruments. Perform experiments, demonstrate equipment at lab and customer sites, troubleshoot, translate customer needs into tests, inform product development, and represent the company at industry events.

Summary Generated by Built In

Role: Applications ScientistLocation - Cambridge, MassachusettsReporting: Global Head of Commercial
Position OverviewAre you passionate about helping customers solve real-world tribology challenges and excited by the opportunity to grow markets, build relationships, and drive commercial success? Do you thrive at the intersection of technical understanding and business development, where your expertise helps customers choose the right solutions and unlock new applications?
At PCS Instruments, we are expanding our presence across the USA—and we’re looking for a proactive, commercially minded Applications Scientist to join our team.
This role is an opportunity to use your tribology and lubrication knowledge in a customer‑facing, market‑shaping capacity. You’ll engage directly with leading industrial and academic partners and, demonstrate how our equipment solves their challenges, and play a key role in accelerating our growth in the US market.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with customers, spotting commercial opportunities, shaping markets, and communicating complex ideas with clarity and impact, all while representing a global leader in tribology instrumentation.
Reporting to:
Global Head of Commercial
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

Execute our applications strategy in the USA’s specialist tribology sector.
Drive commercial growth, developing relationships that lead to new long-term partnerships.
Work side‑by‑side with world‑class engineers, scientists, and strategic customers, helping them unlock new applications for PCS test instruments.
Experiment, test, troubleshoot, and innovate—both independently and with customers.
Demonstrate cutting-edge tribology equipment at our Massachusetts laboratory and at customer sites.
Represent PCS Instruments at major industry events and conferences, engaging with influential industrial and academic partners.
Influence the future of our products, feeding customer insights and emerging market needs directly into new product development.
Assist with the potential contract/consultancy work, translating customer requests into tests to be performed by the service engineer, helping with the interpretation of the measurements.

This role is perfect for someone who loves science, thrives on solving technical problems, and is energized by building meaningful customer relationships.
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience
We’re looking for someone who is curious, technically exceptional and excited to help shape the next era of tribology solutions.You should have:

A Master’s or Doctorate in Engineering, ideally with postgraduate experience in lubrication science or tribology.
A proven track record in hands‑on experimental research.
Experience presenting and demonstrating complex scientific equipment.
The ability to analyse trends, make strategic recommendations, and act decisively.
Impeccable integrity
Excellent communication skills and confidence in front of customers.
A proactive, resilient, team‑oriented mindset.

Preferred Skills & Attributes• Natural team player who builds confidence and cooperative relationships.• Strong personal integrity and corporate compliance.• Self-motivated and goal-oriented.• Well organised and able to prioritise effectively.• Strong communication and networking skills.• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
What we Can Offer:

Competitive salary and performance-related bonus
Opportunities for international collaboration and travel
Access to cutting-edge tribology laboratories and equipment
Professional development and conference attendance
Supportive, innovative, and science-driven company culture

Skills Required

Master's or Doctorate in Engineering
Postgraduate experience in lubrication science or tribology
Proven track record in hands-on experimental research
Experience presenting and demonstrating complex scientific equipment
Ability to analyse trends and make strategic recommendations
Excellent communication skills and confidence in front of customers
Proactive, resilient, team-oriented mindset
Experience translating customer requests into tests and interpreting measurements
Willingness to travel and represent the company at conferences and customer sites

PCS Instruments Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about PCS Instruments and has not been reviewed or approved by PCS Instruments.

Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing resources are emphasized through access to the Calm app, mental health and stress‑awareness initiatives, and ongoing wellness activities such as monthly challenges and a book club. These elements indicate active support for day‑to‑day health and community.
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time away from work is supported via flexible working, flexi‑time, and an increased annual leave allowance. Together these signal breadth in time‑off options.
Parental & Family Support — Family support includes “enhanced” maternity leave and access to an assistance offering. These provisions suggest structured backing for family needs.