Lab Tech II – Process Engineering & Sterile Manufacturing
Location: Hybrid – North Chicago/Lake County, IL 60064
Contract: 1 year, with potential for extension
Schedule: Monday–Friday, standard business hours
Pay: $20–$23/hour
Benefits: Medical benefits available at a cost
We are seeking a highly motivated Lab Tech II – Process Improvement to join our dynamic research and development team. In this role, you will be instrumental in optimizing laboratory processes, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and supporting scientific research initiatives. Your expertise will contribute to enhancing laboratory efficiency, maintaining rigorous quality control, and advancing innovative solutions within a regulated environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in laboratory techniques, process improvement methodologies, and regulatory compliance to drive continuous improvement efforts.
If you are passionate about advancing laboratory processes through innovation and meticulous attention to detail, we encourage you to apply today. Join our team dedicated to scientific excellence and continuous improvement.
About the Opportunity:
We are seeking an early-career Associate Scientist/Lab Technician II to support process engineering, continuous improvement, and laboratory activities within a sterile drug product manufacturing environment.
This is a hands-on, process-focused position—not a traditional analytical chemistry role. Approximately 50% of the role will focus on process engineering and 50% on continuous improvement and laboratory support. You will help conduct laboratory studies, troubleshoot manufacturing challenges, evaluate process changes, and prepare technical reports summarizing experimental outcomes.
Recent graduates with relevant laboratory experience are encouraged to apply. Previous pharmaceutical or manufacturing experience is preferred, but applicable internships, academic research, validation exposure, or technical operations experience will also be considered.
What You’ll Do:
- Support laboratory studies involving sterile drug product processes, including formulation and filtration activities.
- Assist with process engineering and continuous improvement initiatives designed to improve quality, yield, throughput, cycle time, capacity, and cost.
- Investigate manufacturing and process-related challenges using structured problem-solving and scientific principles.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret process data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Use statistical tools such as Minitab to support process monitoring and data analysis.
- Participate in change-request assessments and evaluate the potential impact of process, material, or technology changes.
- Write technical reports, scientific summaries, justification memos, protocols, and other documentation describing laboratory studies and experimental outcomes.
- Support process validation activities, including operational changes, new raw materials, and the introduction of new processes or technologies.
- Assist with experimental, demonstration, and validation lots.
- Maintain accurate and compliant laboratory and manufacturing documentation.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operational Excellence, and EHS teams.
- Provide responsive laboratory and technical support for changing manufacturing priorities and time-sensitive activities.
- Follow applicable GMP, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
What We’re Looking For:
- Associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in a scientific or engineering discipline.
- Degrees in Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering are especially relevant.
- Previous hands-on laboratory experience through employment, internships, co-ops, or academic research.
- Interest in process engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing, validation, technical operations, or continuous improvement.
- Ability to document experiments and communicate scientific findings through clear technical reports and memos.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to adjust priorities in a dynamic, responsive environment.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively after completing training.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience or internship exposure within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or regulated manufacturing.
- Familiarity with sterile or aseptic manufacturing processes.
- Exposure to GMP requirements, process validation, technical operations, or manufacturing support.
- Experience with formulation, filtration, process troubleshooting, statistical process control, or Minitab.
- A combination of laboratory and manufacturing experience.
Who Will Be Most Successful?
This opportunity is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career scientific professional who enjoys solving process-related problems and wants to build experience within sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing. The successful candidate will be flexible, responsive, comfortable supporting last-minute laboratory activities, and capable of becoming increasingly independent after completing the initial training period.
Candidates relocating to the area may be considered but must be able to relocate at their own expense.
Interview Process - The interview process will include two virtual rounds, with a panel interview during the final stage.
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.
Pay: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you worked in or been exposed to a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or manufacturing environment? Please describe the setting and your responsibilities.
- Do you have experience with process-focused laboratory work, such as formulation, filtration, process development, manufacturing support, scale-up, or troubleshooting?
- Have you participated in process validation, equipment validation, technical operations, change controls, deviations, or manufacturing investigations?
- Have you supported sterile or aseptic manufacturing processes? If so, what products or processes were involved?
- What exposure do you have to GMP, GLP, controlled documentation, or other regulated laboratory practices?
Education:
Experience:
- Technical documentation: 3 years (Preferred)
- Industrial laboratory: 3 years (Preferred)
- Process improvement: 3 years (Preferred)
Location:
- North Chicago, IL 60064 (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- North Chicago, IL 60064 (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in North Chicago, IL 60064
