Quality Control Technician

Job Title: Quality Control Technician Battery MaterialsJob Description

The Quality Control Technician for battery materials is responsible for screening, characterizing, and performing quality control on raw materials that support electrode and cell development programs. In this role, you operate a suite of analytical instruments to generate high-quality materials data that directly informs purchasing decisions, supplier qualification, and formulation development. This position suits someone who enjoys detailed, measurement-intensive work, takes pride in producing reliable analytical data, and helps keep materials programs running smoothly.

Responsibilities

• Perform incoming materials characterization on raw materials and make clear pass or fail determinations against established acceptance criteria.

• Operate analytical instruments for materials characterization, including particle size analyzers, BET surface area analyzers, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), thermal analysis instruments such as TGA and DSC, slurry rheology equipment, and conductivity measurement tools.

• Carry out wet chemistry sample preparation and analysis, including titration and related techniques, to support materials characterization.

• Prepare materials samples using techniques such as milling, drying, pressing, and cross-sectioning to ensure consistent and reliable analysis.

• Maintain and update the materials inventory database, ensuring accurate tracking of raw materials and test results.

• Support supplier qualification by generating comparative characterization datasets across different vendor samples and summarizing findings.

• Generate clear characterization reports, data summaries, and tables that communicate results to internal stakeholders.

• Escalate anomalous results, unexpected trends, or potential instrument performance issues promptly to ensure timely investigation and resolution.

• Perform routine instrument maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting on analytical equipment to ensure consistent and accurate performance.

• Maintain calibration logs, standard reference trackers, and standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation, and coordinate service calls with external providers as needed.

• Follow all chemical hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety protocols while working with materials and analytical instruments.

• Manage consumables inventory, including chemicals, standards, and lab supplies, to support uninterrupted laboratory operations.

• Keep characterization laboratory spaces clean, organized, and compliant with safety and quality standards.

• Contribute to the writing, review, and updating of SOPs to reflect best practices and continuous improvement in laboratory processes.

Essential Skills

• 13 years of hands-on experience operating analytical instruments in a materials, chemistry, or battery laboratory environment; internship experience counts toward this requirement.

• Strong background in chemistry or analytical chemistry, with practical laboratory experience.

• Proficiency with materials characterization techniques such as particle size analysis, BET surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM/EDS, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), and rheometry or slurry rheology.

• Experience with materials sample preparation techniques, including milling, drying, pressing, and cross-sectioning.

• High attention to detail and a methodical approach to measurement and data collection.

• Demonstrated commitment to data quality, including careful documentation, verification, and review of results.

• Ability to read, interpret, and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) accurately.

• Capability to contribute to the drafting and updating of SOPs based on laboratory experience and process improvements.

• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, including safe chemical handling, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures.

• Ability to operate and maintain analytical instruments, perform routine calibrations, and troubleshoot basic equipment issues.

• Strong organizational skills for maintaining inventory databases, calibration logs, and laboratory documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Academic or practical training in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline.

• Experience working in a battery, energy storage, or advanced materials laboratory environment.

• Familiarity with generating comparative datasets to support supplier qualification and material selection.

• Experience writing clear technical reports, summary tables, and documentation for internal stakeholders.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, data-driven environment where analytical results inform purchasing and development decisions.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite in a laboratory environment in San Leandro. You work primarily in a hands-on lab setting with analytical instruments such as particle size analyzers, BET surface area analyzers, XRD, SEM/EDS, TGA/DSC, rheometers, and conductivity measurement systems. The position involves regular handling of chemicals and materials, so you follow established chemical hygiene practices and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times. The lab environment emphasizes cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety protocols, with structured documentation, calibration logs, and SOPs guiding daily work. You collaborate closely with technical teams involved in electrode and cell development, contributing data that supports material selection, supplier qualification, and formulation optimization.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Leandro, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 San Leandro,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.