Research Lab Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Research Lab Technician

Job Description

The Quality Technician performs in‑process inspection and testing of production batches on the manufacturing floor and in the technical laboratory. This role ensures that materials and finished goods meet established quality standards, maintains accurate batch documentation, supports production with lab-related activities, and completes additional technical tasks as needed.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Print batch tickets and drum tags for production and ensure all batch tickets are fully and accurately completed.
• Enter batch information into Word and Excel files and maintain accurate electronic records.
• Scan batch tickets and organize them in an electronic database for traceability.
• Issue corrections for materials that do not meet viscosity specifications and document corrective actions.
• Perform all required testing for production batches as specified on the batch ticket.
• Write hold tickets for nonconforming batches and materials and communicate status to relevant team members.
• Conduct 3‑day and 30‑day retain viscosity checks to verify product stability over time.
• Perform final inspection of finished goods as needed to confirm compliance with quality standards.
• Report status updates and handoffs to the next shift’s Lab Technician to ensure smooth shift transitions.
• Operate a forklift at times to move materials and products, following completion of forklift training and certification.
• Inspect incoming raw materials when required to confirm they meet quality and specification requirements.
• Perform dock audits on the production floor to verify proper handling, documentation, and quality controls.
• Split duties between the lab and production, spending approximately 60% of time in the lab and 40% on the production floor.
• Support batch mixing, batching, compounding, blending, and chemical handling activities in alignment with quality procedures.
• Assist with inventory and material handling tasks related to lab samples and production materials.
• Communicate effectively with production and lab team members to resolve quality issues and support continuous improvement.
• Follow established safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment at all times.

Essential Skills

• Quality experience with 2+ years preferred and at least 1+ year in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with computers, including Word, Excel, and email for data entry, documentation, and communication.
• Strong attention to detail, dependability, and the ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills to identify root causes and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills for managing documentation and coordinating with multiple shifts.
• Ability to perform mixing, batching, compounding, and blending activities in a production or chemical environment.
• Experience with machine operation and production processes in a manufacturing setting.
• Basic inventory and material handling skills, including safe movement and tracking of materials.
• Ability and willingness to operate a forklift after training and certification.
• Ability to work on the production floor and in a chemical plant environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, pivot, crouch, and climb ladders and stairs for 8–10 hour shifts.
• Ability to move on and off a forklift throughout the shift and perform cleaning of equipment, products, and floors.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent education.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English to follow procedures and complete documentation accurately.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Quality control or quality assurance experience is preferred but not required.
• Mobile equipment experience, such as operating forklifts or similar equipment, is preferred but not required.
• Proficiency in SPC (Statistical Process Control) and SAP is preferred but not required.
• Good knowledge of chemistry and math to support testing and analysis of materials.
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Chemistry, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Comfort working with chemicals and automotive materials in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing shift structures, including 4‑day/10‑hour or 5‑day/8‑hour schedules.
• Willingness to work mandatory or voluntary weekend overtime when business needs require.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a comprehensive training program, including forklift certification, that supports skill development and long‑term career growth. The role offers production bonuses of up to 30%, shift differentials, and opportunities for overtime, providing the chance to increase overall earnings. Team members work in an environment that values reliability, collaboration, and professional development, with clear pathways for advancement tied to performance and experience.

Work Environment

This role is based in a chemical plant that primarily produces automotive materials, with a climate‑controlled work environment in most areas. Team members work in a manufacturing setting with exposure to moving equipment, noise, fumes, vibrations, dust, and other typical plant conditions, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The position requires working on the production floor and in the lab, with frequent standing, walking, bending, twisting, pivoting, crouching, and climbing ladders and stairs during 8–10 hour shifts. Work includes moving on and off a forklift throughout the shift and performing cleaning of equipment, products, and floors as needed. The schedule is contract‑to‑hire with a typical 90‑day period, and shifts commonly include 1st shift (5:00am–3:30pm, Monday–Friday) and 3rd shift (11:00pm–7:30am, Sunday-Thursday), with potential adjustments such as a 4‑day/10‑hour schedule (e.g., 3:30pm–2:00am, Monday–Thursday) and future return to standard 8‑hour shifts. Weekend work may be scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, and mandatory weekend overtime may be required based on business needs, with overtime schedules posted weekly. Required attire includes steel‑toed shoes, and safety PPE such as safety glasses, respirators, gloves, and earbuds is provided and must be worn as directed.

This is a Contract position based out of Evansville, IN.

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $21.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Evansville,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.