Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Quality Control Laboratory TechnicianJob Description

This role focuses on ensuring consistent, high-quality coil and extrusion paint products through rigorous laboratory testing and strict adherence to safety and quality procedures. As a Quality Control Laboratory Technician, you perform batch approval testing, maintain laboratory instruments and records, support production with timely in-process checks, and contribute to continuous improvement in a growing, specialized paint manufacturing environment with potential career paths into R&D and other lab roles.

Responsibilities

• Follow all site safety rules, use required personal protective equipment, and comply with SDS procedures for all materials handled.

• Maintain laboratory housekeeping, organization, and 5S standards during every shift to ensure a clean, efficient, and safe work area.

• Perform batch approval and hold/release testing, including viscosity, grind fineness, color (visual and spectrophotometer/Delta E), gloss, weight per gallon, and film appearance using drawdown panels.

• Prepare drawdown panels by selecting appropriate substrates, applying coatings, and curing panels according to the specified bake schedule.

• Operate the spectrophotometer, verify calibration, and maintain the color standard library to ensure accurate and consistent color measurement.

• Conduct clean check evaluations for filling operations and promptly approve or reject samples to support production throughput.

• Perform in-process quality checks on batches during production, including viscosity, grind, color, and appearance, as requested by production.

• Carry out physical and performance testing, including adhesion (ASTM D3359), flexibility (T-bend, mandrel bend, reverse impact), hardness (ASTM D3363), film thickness, gloss, and chemical resistance (MEK rub).

• Verify instrument calibration at the start of each shift and maintain accurate calibration records for all laboratory instruments.

• Complete all laboratory records, batch tickets, and ERP data entry in Datacor accurately and in real time.

• Collect, label, and store retain samples according to the established retention schedule.

• Support customer complaint investigations by retrieving retain samples, preparing comparison panels, and documenting findings.

• Perform raw material incoming inspections when required, verifying materials against certificates of analysis and incoming material specifications.

• Dispose of waste and samples in accordance with established waste handling procedures and applicable EPA requirements.

• Participate in quarterly inventory counts and complete departmental paperwork as assigned.

• Promptly notify appropriate supervisors when equipment failures or out-of-spec conditions occur so that corrective action can be taken.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in a quality control laboratory environment, preferably related to paint, coatings, or a similar industry.

• Strong attention to detail and the ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately while following defined processes.

• Understanding of quality control principles and laboratory practices, including GMP and general QC methodologies.

• Basic knowledge of chemistry as it relates to coatings and laboratory testing.

• Ability to operate and maintain laboratory instruments, including spectrophotometers and equipment used for viscosity, grind, gloss, and film thickness measurements.

• Capability to follow standardized test methods such as ASTM D3359 for adhesion and ASTM D3363 for hardness.

• Proficiency in documenting test results clearly and completing ERP data entry in systems such as Datacor.

• Process-oriented mindset with the ability to follow established procedures and retention schedules consistently.

• Ability to work safely with chemicals and laboratory equipment, adhering to SDS and EPA requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in an industrial paint or coatings laboratory is preferred.

• Experience with color computers and spectrophotometric color matching is a plus.

• Familiarity with coil and extrusion paint manufacturing processes is beneficial.

• Interest in career growth opportunities, including potential movement into R&D or other laboratory roles.

• Strong organizational skills to support 5S standards and accurate recordkeeping.

• Effective communication skills to collaborate with production teams and support customer complaint investigations.

Work Environment

This position is based in a dedicated Quality Control Laboratory within a coil and extrusion paint manufacturing facility. The role involves working closely with production operations to support batch approval and in-process testing. You will use a range of laboratory instruments, including spectrophotometers, viscosity and grind measurement tools, gloss meters, film thickness gauges, and equipment for standardized tests such as adhesion, hardness, flexibility, and chemical resistance. The team consists of a total of six laboratory technicians, providing a collaborative environment with opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues. There are openings on both first and second shift. The first shift typically runs from 5:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with some flexibility to start earlier if needed. The second shift runs from 12:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Work is performed in a controlled laboratory setting that requires adherence to safety protocols, proper use of PPE, and compliance with SDS and EPA guidelines. The environment supports professional growth in a privately held, growing paint manufacturer, with pathways into R&D and other technical roles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bessemer, AL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $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 Bessemer,AL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 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.