Become the gatekeeper of product quality. Use your chemistry or chemical engineeringto perform critical testing, support production, and make real-time quality decisions that impact manufacturing success.
Job Title: 1st Shift Quality Control Lab Technician
Job Description
The Quality Control Lab Technician supports a fast-paced manufacturing environment by performing accurate and timely quality testing on raw materials, bulk batches, and finished products. This role ensures that all materials meet specifications, communicates clearly with production operators on test results and batch adjustments, and initiates investigations into non-conforming materials. The position offers the opportunity to streamline testing processes, contribute to continuous improvement, and grow into higher-responsibility roles over time.
Responsibilities
-
Perform timely and accurate chemical, physical, and visual testing on raw materials, bulk batches, and finished goods using standard test procedures.
-
Determine appropriate raw material adjustment amounts for bulk batches to ensure products meet required specifications.
-
Enter test results for raw materials, bulk batches, and finished goods into the ERP system (SAP) accurately and promptly.
-
Perform timely usage decisions (accept or reject) for raw materials, bulk batches, and finished goods in SAP based on test results and specifications.
-
Collect, label, and store retain samples of raw materials, bulk batches, and finished products as required for traceability and investigations.
-
Take immediate action on internal non-conformances by creating notifications in SAP and performing initial investigations in collaboration with operators.
-
Support customer complaint investigations by reviewing batch records, analyzing retain samples, and providing clear documentation of findings.
-
Maintain critical laboratory equipment, instruments, and inventory of supplies to support continuous and uninterrupted quality control testing.
-
Review the daily production schedule and ensure test equipment, reagents, and materials are prepared to efficiently test all scheduled batches.
-
Provide clear documentation and visual quality control labels for materials and products that are acceptable, rejected, or on hold.
-
Issue, complete, maintain, and process all relevant quality control paperwork and records in an organized and compliant manner.
-
Participate in and support audits, including ISO and other quality system audits, by providing documentation and explaining lab processes.
-
Contribute to root cause and corrective action activities by helping identify issues, analyzing data, and updating documentation as needed.
-
Attend monthly meetings focused on quality, safety, housekeeping, and waste minimization, and actively contribute ideas for improvement.
-
Communicate all critical issues and problems related to quality control test equipment, test delays, or potential quality risks promptly to management.
-
Collaborate closely with production operators and other team members to ensure clear, proactive cross-communication and timely issue resolution.
-
Act as a team player by volunteering to help where needed, supporting colleagues, and contributing to a positive and collaborative work environment.
-
Help streamline the testing process by identifying opportunities to reduce duplication of effort and improve efficiency within the lab.
-
Participate in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement activities, applying principles such as Six Sigma where appropriate.
-
Handle production-related quality control tasks with urgency and accountability, recognizing the lab’s role as the gatekeeper of production quality.
Essential Skills
-
Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
-
Minimum of 1+ years of experience in a quality control, laboratory, manufacturing, or operations environment, ideally involving cross-functional communication.
-
Experience performing chemical, physical, and visual testing in a lab setting using standard test procedures.
-
Proficiency with ERP systems, specifically SAP, for entering test results and making usage decisions.
-
Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate promptly, clearly, and proactively with operators, peers, and management.
-
High attention to detail and accuracy in testing, documentation, and data entry.
-
Experience participating in audits, preferably within an ISO or similar quality management environment.
-
Exposure to root cause analysis and corrective action processes, including updating documentation and records.
-
Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook for data handling, collaboration, and communication.
-
Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced lab environment while meeting production schedules.
-
Demonstrated commitment to safety, including adherence to EHS requirements, safe work practices, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
-
Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or consumer products industries.
-
Experience working in or around adhesives, chemicals, or similar industrial materials.
-
Prior involvement in continuous improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency and waste reduction.
-
Strong project and time management skills, with the ability to plan testing around production schedules.
-
Comfort working as a key quality gatekeeper, making timely decisions that directly impact production flow.
-
Motivated, growth-oriented mindset with a desire to take on increasing responsibility and potentially advance into higher-level technical or leadership roles over time.
-
Flexibility and openness to learning new processes, equipment, and systems as the lab and facility evolve.
-
Willingness to consider long-term growth opportunities, including potential relocation to another facility in the future.
Work Environment
This is a first-shift position, typically scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., working in a laboratory setting within a manufacturing facility. The environment involves hands-on work with adhesives and related materials, and the lab and facility may have a strong, noticeable smell associated with these products. Candidates should be comfortable working in this type of sensory environment and will be made aware of these conditions during onsite interviews. The role requires consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to all environmental, health, and safety requirements. The lab supports a production operation in aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer products, so work is often time-sensitive and closely tied to production schedules. The culture emphasizes teamwork, proactive communication, continuous improvement, and professional growth, offering opportunities for long-term development for individuals who are eager to learn and advance.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Los Angeles, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $25.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Los Angeles,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 30, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
