Senior Lab Technician - ICP

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Sr. Lab Technician - ICP

Job Description

Lab Technician – ICP supports advanced analytical testing in a quality-focused production environment, serving as a technical resource for laboratory operations. In this role, you operate and optimize sophisticated instrumentation, generate reliable data for process decisions, and contribute to troubleshooting and continuous improvement initiatives. You combine strong analytical chemistry expertise, practical problem-solving skills, and leadership capabilities to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of laboratory testing programs.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strict compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards across all work areas, making safe work practices a top priority.
• Actively participate in safety meetings and contribute to the identification and mitigation of workplace hazards.
• Support the drafting, review, and improvement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory equipment and processes.
• Operate and maintain ICP-OES and ICP-MS instrumentation for quantitative determination of metals in solutions, leachates, and process materials.
• Operate X-ray diffraction (XRD) equipment to identify and quantify mineralogical and crystalline phases in a variety of samples.
• Support complementary analytical techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), particle sizing (Mastersizer), and other methods as required by the laboratory.
• Develop, optimize, and validate analytical methods for new process matrices and prototype materials to meet evolving testing needs.
• Prepare and verify calibration standards, calibration curves, and certified reference materials to ensure accurate and traceable measurements.
• Perform instrument calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting for ICP and related equipment, coordinating with the Laboratory Coordinator or ICP Specialist when needed.
• Interpret, validate, and report analytical results within the laboratory information management system (LIMS), ensuring clarity and accuracy of data.
• Communicate analytical findings and trends to the laboratory coordination team to support process control and decision-making.
• Support root cause investigations and nonconformance analyses through detailed analytical characterization and data review.
• Provide technical oversight to junior technicians in sample and solution preparation, ensuring proper technique, traceability, and data integrity.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve test methods, reduce analysis turnaround times, and enhance instrument reliability and uptime.
• Support external audits aligned with site-applicable standards such as ISO 9001 and other quality frameworks.
• Prioritize and organize workflow in a fast-paced environment to meet testing deadlines and production requirements.
• Apply a proactive approach to solving complex analytical problems and addressing unexpected results or instrument issues.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement, quality, and accuracy of results in all laboratory activities.
• Mentor and train junior lab staff, sharing best practices and fostering a culture of learning and technical excellence.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• 1–2+ years of hands-on experience operating ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS, Atomic Absorption, XRD, or UV-Vis instrumentation.
• 1–2+ years of prior experience working in a quality control laboratory environment.
• Practical experience with sample digestion techniques for inorganic analysis, including acid digestion and microwave digestion.
• Experience with trace metals analysis, including calibration curve preparation and use of certified reference materials (CRMs), strongly preferred.
• Solid understanding of statistics as applied to quality control, method validation, and interpretation of analytical data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide clear technical guidance and leadership.
• High attention to detail and a strong commitment to data integrity and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to work independently under pressure while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines in a production-oriented setting.
• in analytical chemistry and wet chemistry techniques within a laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with GMP, quality control, and quality assurance principles in manufacturing or laboratory settings.
• Experience with HPLC or related analytical instrumentation is an asset.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Ability to prioritize and organize workflow effectively in a fast-paced, production-focused environment.
• Proactive mindset for solving complex analytical and instrumentation problems.
• Strong commitment to continuous improvement, quality, and accuracy of analytical results.
• Willingness and ability to mentor, train, and support junior laboratory staff.
• Comfort working with multiple analytical platforms, including ICP, XRD, XRF, Mastersizer, and other complementary techniques.
• Experience supporting external audits and working within structured quality systems such as ISO 9001.
• Demonstrated capability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in contributing to innovative work in rare earth elements and advanced materials.
• Ability to adapt to evolving processes, new test methods, and an expanding laboratory footprint as the organization grows.

Work Environment

This position is based in a manufacturing setting with two on-site laboratories that are climate controlled and designed for advanced analytical work. The role follows a day-shift schedule, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional Saturdays as needed to support production and testing demands. You work with modern analytical technologies, including ICP-OES/ICP-MS, XRD, XRF, Mastersizer, and other laboratory equipment within a structured quality control environment. The broader operation includes multiple facilities, with one location evolving into a research and development hub and another featuring renovated spaces with clean rooms, new laboratory areas, and extensive production lines. The environment emphasizes safety, data integrity, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge work in rare earth elements and advanced materials while collaborating closely with technical and production teams.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Noblesville, IN.

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $38.46/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 Noblesville,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 12, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.