Quality Control Laboratory Technician

Job Title: Quality Control Laboratory Technician - Paints and CoatingsJob Description

This role focuses on performing quality control laboratory testing on chemical products, specifically paints and coatings, to ensure they meet defined specifications and customer requirements. You will set up and operate laboratory equipment, conduct tests on raw materials and finished products, and collaborate closely with quality, research and development, and production teams. This position offers hands-on experience with a variety of products and clear opportunities for career growth based on performance.

Responsibilities

• Set up, adjust, calibrate, and operate laboratory equipment, including spray guns, spectrophotometer, glossmeter, Hegman grind bar, UV-Vis instruments, and related tools.

• Monitor product characteristics such as viscosity, gloss, color, density, and resistance using spray guns and other laboratory equipment.

• Use mathematics to perform ratios, conversions, and calculations needed to adjust products and ensure they meet specifications.

• Perform defined tests to evaluate product properties and characteristics, ensuring all customer specifications and internal standards are met.

• Conduct tests on raw materials to verify they meet required standards and confirm results against certificates of analysis.

• Inspect and test product batches to confirm they meet all quality and performance specifications before release.

• Work closely with production teams to perform batch adjustments when test results indicate deviations from target specifications.

• Accurately document all quality data, testing results, batch information, and any adjustments made in accordance with laboratory procedures.

• Assist with laboratory audits by providing documentation, test records, and support as needed.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of work instructions for laboratory testing and production standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Essential Skills

• Hands-on laboratory experience, preferably in a quality control environment.

• Experience performing laboratory testing on chemical products, particularly paints and coatings, or closely related materials.

• Strong mathematics skills, including the ability to perform ratios, conversions, and calculations to support testing and product adjustments.

• Knowledge and practical use of UV-Vis instrumentation for laboratory testing.

• Experience operating a spectrophotometer for color and related measurements.

• Background in chemistry and/or biology sufficient to understand chemical product behavior and testing methods.

• Ability to accurately document test results, batch information, and quality data in a structured and consistent manner.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to ensuring products meet defined specifications and standards.

• Capability to collaborate effectively with quality, R&D, and production teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Education or formal training in chemistry or biology.

• Experience with quality control laboratory testing, including developing familiarity with standard test methods and procedures.

• Exposure to paints, coatings, or similar chemical products in a laboratory or production setting.

• Comfort working with laboratory audits and contributing to the creation or maintenance of work instructions and SOPs.

• Interest in career growth into areas such as research and development, based on performance and demonstrated capability.

Work Environment

You will work primarily in a quality laboratory environment and a dedicated paint spray area used for testing products. The role involves regular use of laboratory instruments such as spray guns, spectrophotometers, glossmeters, Hegman grind bars, UV-Vis equipment, and related testing tools. This is a first-shift position, Monday through Friday. The preferred schedule is 5:00 a.m. to 1:30-2:30 p.m., with flexibility to work an alternative schedule of approximately 6:00 a.m. to 2:30-3:30 p.m. The environment is collaborative, with regular interaction across quality, R&D, and production teams, and offers exposure to a variety of products and processes along with clear pathways for career advancement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Pewaukee, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $22.00/hr.

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 Pewaukee,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 6, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 jobs.institutedata.com 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.