Quality Assurance Lab Technician - 5pm -1:30 Am

Job Title: Quality Assurance Lab Technician (Evening Shift: 5:00 PM 1:30 AM) Job Description
The Quality Assurance Lab Technician performs laboratory testing and quality inspections on raw materials, in-process products, environmental samples, and finished goods to ensure they meet food safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This role supports production operations through microbiological, chemical, and physical testing, maintains accurate documentation, and actively supports GMP, HACCP, FSMA, and SQF programs. The position offers long-term growth potential, exposure to product development, and opportunities for advancement within a stable and growing organization.
Responsibilities
- Perform microbiological, chemical, and physical testing on raw materials, in-process products, environmental samples, and finished products to verify compliance with food safety and quality requirements.
- Collect and prepare samples according to established sampling plans and standard procedures.
- Accurately document laboratory results, maintain testing records, and ensure all data is complete, legible, and traceable.
- Verify product specifications such as pH, viscosity, temperature, weight, and other quality parameters.
- Conduct environmental monitoring and sanitation verification activities, including swabbing and ATP testing.
- Support product hold and release decisions by providing accurate and timely test results.
- Calibrate, operate, and maintain laboratory equipment to ensure reliable performance and accurate measurements.
- Perform line inspections and verify that production lines comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
- Complete GMP-compliant documentation and records in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) activities to resolve quality or food safety issues.
- Assist with internal and external audits and regulatory inspections by providing documentation, test data, and process explanations.
- Support and uphold HACCP, SQF, FSMA, and GMP programs through daily activities and continuous improvement efforts.
- Partner with production, sanitation, maintenance, and warehouse teams to ensure consistent product quality and food safety.
- Perform glass washing and other general laboratory housekeeping tasks to maintain a clean, safe, and organized lab environment.
- Contribute to sensory testing, allergen and pathogen monitoring, and other analytical quality assurance activities as needed.
Essential Skills
- Science-based degree or 13 years of experience in quality assurance, laboratory, or food manufacturing.
- Hands-on experience performing laboratory testing and documenting data accurately.
- Knowledge of microbiology, chemistry, biology, food science, or related scientific disciplines.
- Experience with pH, viscosity, temperature, and other analytical measurements.
- Ability to perform swabbing and ATP testing for environmental and sanitation verification.
- Understanding of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and food safety requirements.
- Familiarity with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) concepts in a food or laboratory setting.
- Ability to interpret product specifications and testing procedures.
- Strong attention to detail and excellent documentation skills.
- Basic computer proficiency and data entry experience for recording and managing test results.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Willingness and ability to work the 5:00 PM 1:30 AM shift and occasional mandatory overtime on Saturdays.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
- Experience in dairy manufacturing or broader food manufacturing environments.
- Familiarity with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and sanitation programs and their application in food production.
- Experience supporting audits, investigations, and corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes.
- Exposure to sensory testing, allergen control, pathogen monitoring, and analytical testing in a laboratory setting.
- Experience with quality assurance and quality control practices, including verification of critical control points (CCPs).
- Interest in long-term career growth, with a goal of developing and advancing within the organization over several years.
- Comfort working in a growing, stable environment with opportunities for overtime and advancement.
- Motivation to learn, adapt, and support product development activities when needed.
Work Environment
This role operates in a laboratory environment attached to a food manufacturing facility, providing direct interaction with production operations and real-time quality support. The standard schedule is an evening shift from 5:00 PM to 1:30 AM, with occasional mandatory overtime on Saturdays as business needs require. The work involves using laboratory equipment for microbiological, chemical, and physical testing, as well as performing environmental monitoring and sanitation verification. The facility offers a stable environment with opportunities for overtime, long-term growth, and exposure to product development. Healthcare coverage is company-paid, and the organization emphasizes a supportive, collaborative culture focused on food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Sun Valley, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $47840.00 - $54080.00/yr. 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. Fully paid healthcare once direct for employee
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Sun Valley, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Sun Valley,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 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
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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
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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