QA Tech

QA TechnicianThe QA Technician supports food manufacturing quality and safety by sampling and testing products, recording accurate data, and ensuring compliance with internal standards, USDA grade charts, and buyer specifications. This role involves hands-on inspection, operation of testing equipment, and close collaboration with production teams in a fast-paced food processing environment.ResponsibilitiesSample, weigh, thaw, grade, and record product samples accurately while using scales and basic measurement tools.Recognize and separate product defects and perform sensory evaluations, including tasting product, to verify quality.Apply working knowledge of pounds, ounces, kilograms, grams, linear measurements, and basic mathematics to perform daily tasks.Track totes and maintain accurate records of product movement and inventory.Understand and apply resource usage and application requirements while documenting inventory levels.Interpret and use USDA grade charts and buyer specifications to evaluate product quality.Perform temperature and peroxidase testing to verify product and process parameters.Conduct pesticide and 10 oz sampling in accordance with established procedures.Operate shearpress equipment, run the machine safely, and record tenderometer readings for each load.Carry out various tests on each load, including split checks, brine checks, and pea waste checks, and document all results.Record test outcomes and load results clearly and accurately in the appropriate logs or systems.Use basic computer skills to enter, update, and maintain quality data and reports.Work with moderate precision and attention to detail to ensure accurate measurements and consistent quality outcomes.Collaborate with production and other team members to address quality issues and support continuous improvement.Follow all safety, food safety, and quality procedures while working in a food processing environment.Essential SkillsExperience in quality assurance, quality control, or inspection within a food manufacturing or food processing environment.Ability to perform sampling, weighing, thawing, grading, and recording of product samples accurately.Proficiency in using scales and understanding weights and measures, including pounds, ounces, kilograms, grams, and linear measurements.Strong basic mathematics skills to support measurement, calculation, and data recording tasks.Ability to recognize and separate product defects and perform sensory evaluations such as tasting product.Knowledge of USDA grade charts and buyer specifications and ability to apply them to product evaluation.Experience with temperature testing, peroxidase testing, pesticide sampling, and 10 oz sampling.Ability to operate shearpress equipment and record tenderometer readings accurately.Familiarity with conducting split checks, brine checks, and pea waste checks in a production environment.Basic computer skills and the ability to use software or systems to record and track quality data.Moderate dexterity to handle small objects, operate testing equipment, and perform detailed tasks.Ability to work with people at a moderate to high level of interaction and communication.Capacity to work with high precision and maintain accuracy in repetitive tasks.Ability to manage moderate to high stress levels while maintaining focus on quality and safety.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience in food safety practices within a food manufacturing or food processing facility.Experience in general labor within industrial or production settings.Comfort working with numerical data and performing repetitive measurements and tests.Ability to maintain focus and productivity in tasks with low to moderate boredom levels.Strong attention to detail and commitment to following established procedures and standards.Why Work Here?You join a team that values precision, reliability, and collaboration in delivering safe, high-quality food products. The role offers the opportunity to build hands-on technical experience with specialized testing equipment while working closely with production and quality professionals. You benefit from a structured environment where clear procedures guide your work, providing stability, consistency, and opportunities to develop your skills in quality assurance and food safety.Work EnvironmentThe work environment is a food processing facility with concrete floors and metal platforms as primary work surfaces. Temperature, cold, heat, and humidity levels vary, requiring adaptability to changing conditions. Dust and fumes are present at moderate levels, and chemical exposure is low. Noise levels are high enough that hearing protection is required. The role involves frequent standing and walking, up to a maximum of approximately three hours before each break period. You regularly lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with a maximum lift of 25 pounds. The position requires climbing and balancing on ladders, stairs, scaffolding, and similar structures, as well as maintaining body equilibrium on narrow or potentially slippery surfaces. You frequently reach with both hands and arms, handle and grasp objects, and perform fine finger movements such as pinching and picking small items. You use color vision to distinguish and identify colors and depth perception to judge distances and spatial relationships accurately. Physical movements include twisting and turning the trunk, stooping by bending at the waist, and kneeling. You rely on touch to perceive size, shape, and texture of objects, particularly with the fingers. The work demands moderate repetition, moderate numerical work, moderate dexterity, and high precision, with moderate to high interaction with others and moderate to high stress levels.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Moses Lake, WA.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $18.05 - $18.05/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 TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Moses Lake, WA.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 2026.