Quality Control Lab Technician

Job Title: Quality Control Lab Technician

Job Description

The Quality Control Lab Technician supports a high-volume manufacturing operation by performing accurate and timely quality testing on raw materials, bulk batches, and finished products. This role ensures that products meet strict specifications, communicates test results and batch adjustments clearly to production operators, and initiates investigations into non-conforming materials. The position offers strong long-term growth potential for someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, and eager to streamline testing processes and advance into higher-level technical roles over time.

Schedule: Thursday- Monday or Friday-Tuesday (8 am - 5 pm) or (7 am-4 pm)

Responsibilities

• Execute and adhere to all environmental, health, and safety (EHS) requirements, maintaining a safe work environment and following internal safety rules and procedures, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Participate in the general housekeeping of the plant and laboratory areas to maintain a clean, organized, and compliant workspace.

• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and quality standards in daily activities.

• Perform timely and accurate chemical, physical, and visual testing on raw materials, bulk batches, and finished goods using standard test procedures.

• Determine 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 and store retain samples of raw materials, bulk batches, and finished products as required for traceability and future investigations.

• Take immediate action on internal non-conformances by creating notifications in SAP and performing initial investigations in collaboration with production operators.

• Support customer complaint investigations by reviewing batch records, analyzing retain samples, and contributing to root cause analysis and corrective actions.

• Maintain critical laboratory equipment, including routine checks and basic troubleshooting, to support continuous and uninterrupted quality control testing.

• Monitor and maintain laboratory inventory of reagents, consumables, and supplies to ensure consistent testing capability.

• Review the daily production schedule and ensure that test equipment, reagents, and methods are prepared to efficiently test all scheduled batches.

• Provide accurate documentation and visual quality control labels for materials and products that are acceptable, rejected, or on hold.

• Issue, complete, maintain, and process all relevant paperwork and records related to testing, non-conformances, and quality documentation.

• Participate in monthly meetings focused on quality, safety, housekeeping, and waste minimization, contributing ideas for continuous improvement.

• Communicate all critical issues and problems concerning quality control test equipment, potential testing delays, and quality risks promptly to management.

• Act as a proactive team player by volunteering to help where needed, supporting colleagues, and contributing to shared goals.

• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles, including participation in audits, root cause and corrective action activities, and documentation updates.

• Manage multiple testing tasks and projects concurrently, demonstrating strong time management and prioritization skills in a laboratory setting.

• Serve as a reliable gatekeeper for production quality by responding quickly to issues, ensuring that non-conforming material is identified and addressed immediately.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.

• Minimum of 1+ years of experience, which may include internships or early-career roles, preferably in aerospace, manufacturing, or consumer products environments.

• Hands-on experience performing chemical, physical, and visual testing in a laboratory or production support setting.

• Proficiency with ERP systems, specifically SAP, including entering test results and making usage decisions.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook for data management, communication, and coordination.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate promptly and clearly, and to be proactive rather than reactive.

• High attention to detail and accuracy in testing, documentation, and data entry.

• Experience participating in audits and working within ISO or similar quality management environments.

• Exposure to or experience with root cause analysis and corrective action processes, including updating documentation.

• Familiarity with lean manufacturing concepts and continuous improvement practices.

• Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced lab and production environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and under the direction of senior lab staff, such as senior lab technicians, lab supervisors, or technical leaders.

• Strong sense of ownership and responsibility as a quality gatekeeper for production.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, or consumer products industries, particularly in operations or production support roles.

• Familiarity with GC-MS (Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometry) or similar analytical instrumentation.

• Exposure to Six Sigma or other structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Experience working in a quality control laboratory that supports adhesives or chemical products.

• Prior involvement in customer complaint investigations and non-conformance management.

• Experience working in a lean manufacturing environment with a focus on waste minimization and process optimization.

• Demonstrated ability to streamline testing processes and reduce redundancy in lab workflows.

• Proven record of participating in continuous improvement initiatives, including documentation updates and process enhancements.

• Strong professional attitude with a desire to learn, grow, and assume greater responsibility over time, including potential progression into senior or leadership roles.

• Willingness to consider future relocation for long-term career growth opportunities.

Work Environment

This role is based in a laboratory setting within a manufacturing facility that produces adhesive and related products. The lab and facility environment has a strong odor characteristic of adhesives, and candidates should be comfortable working in an area with noticeable smells; this will be clearly demonstrated during onsite interviews. The position requires consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to strict safety and EHS procedures. You will work closely with production operators, senior lab technicians, and technical leadership, managing multiple testing tasks aligned with the daily production schedule. The environment emphasizes project and time management, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement, with regular participation in quality, safety, housekeeping, and waste minimization meetings. The culture values proactive communication, teamwork, and professional growth, offering long-term development opportunities for individuals who are motivated, adaptable, and eager to take on increasing responsibility.

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.

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 Los Angeles,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 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.