QC Laboratory Lead

Job Description

Job Description

QC Laboratory LeadOverview

We are seeking a highly motivated QC Laboratory Lead to provide technical leadership and daily operational support within a GMP-regulated Quality Control laboratory. This role serves as the primary technical resource on the laboratory floor, partnering closely with QC Analysts, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing teams to ensure timely, compliant, and high-quality testing execution.

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical laboratory expertise, hands-on experience with chromatography instrumentation, and demonstrated leadership in a pharmaceutical QC environment. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for coordinating laboratory activities, driving compliance, supporting product release timelines, and fostering a culture of quality and continuous improvement.

• Coordinate and prioritize daily QC testing activities to support manufacturing and product release schedules.
• Assign workloads, monitor testing progress, and ensure timely completion of laboratory deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and mentorship to QC Analysts.
• Serve as the primary laboratory resource for troubleshooting analytical and instrumentation issues.

• Ensure all testing activities are conducted in accordance with SOPs, cGMP regulations, and applicable regulatory guidelines.
• Review analytical data for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Support laboratory investigations, deviations, OOS/OOT events, and corrective actions.
• Maintain inspection readiness and uphold data integrity standards.

• Partner with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and other functional teams to resolve technical issues and support production timelines.
• Communicate testing status, priorities, and potential risks to key stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across the laboratory.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• 4+ years of Quality Control laboratory experience within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences environment.
• At least 1 year of experience leading laboratory personnel or serving as a technical lead.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • cGMP regulations
  • SOP compliance
  • USP, EP, and ICH guidelines
  • Data integrity requirements
• Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation, including:
  • HPLC
  • GC
  • Dissolution, UV-Vis, or related analytical techniques
• Experience reviewing analytical data and laboratory documentation.
• Proven troubleshooting, problem-solving, and investigation skills.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration abilities.

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing release testing.
• Peptide analytical testing experience.
• Experience with laboratory investigations, deviations, CAPAs, and OOS/OOT processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop laboratory personnel.
• Prior experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing support environment.

• Onsite role within a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
• Fast-paced laboratory environment supporting commercial manufacturing operations.
• Requires routine use of laboratory PPE and GMP gowning.
• Position involves standing, walking, laboratory bench work, and computer-based documentation.
• Occasional overtime, evening, or weekend support may be required to meet operational and production needs.

• Opportunity to make a direct impact on product quality and safety.
• Visible leadership role within a growing Quality organization.
• Collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Career growth opportunities in Quality Control and laboratory leadership.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

The pay range for this position is $33.00 - $40.00/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 Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in San Diego,CA.

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.