Laboratory Technician

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd; Tewkesbury; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly profit-sharing bonus

31 days' holiday including Bank Holid

Pension - 3% employer 5% employee

Paid professional development

Discounts and savings portal

Wellbeing portal

Cycle to Work

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance policy

Job summary

Jackie Kerr Recruitment Ltd is assisting a Gloucestershire-based manufacturing client to hire a Laboratory Technician. The role supports the Quality and Process team with routine chemical analysis and process testing to keep plating, etching and other lines within specification.

You will read drawings (IPC-A-600), perform tests, maintain records and help investigate quality issues while ensuring safe chemical handling and lab compliance on site.

Qualifications

• Understanding of chemistry principles and practical laboratory technique.
• COSHH awareness and safe chemical storage, handling and disposal.
• Good record-keeping and report-writing skills for QA documentation.
• Experience with routine chemical analysis or laboratory testing.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine chemical analysis of process solutions and monitor concentration.
• Make chemical additions and adjustments to manufacturing lines per procedures.
• Carry out laboratory tests (e.g. solderability, ionic contamination) to investigate quality issues.
• Produce clear test reports to support QA decisions and regulatory requirements.
• Read and interpret drawings and IPC-A-600 to assess product conformance.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, calibration schedules and traceability.
• Handle and dispose of chemicals safely per COSHH and site rules.
• Support investigation of non-conformances and process deviations.
• Maintain a clean, safe laboratory environment and 6S practices.
• Assist with movement of chemical drums and materials with manual handling and forklift if trained.

Skills

Chemistry principles

Practical laboratory technique

COSHH awareness

Record-keeping & reporting

Manual handling up to 25kg

Education

A-level Chemistry or equivalent

Tools

Forklift truck licence

Job description

We at JKR are recruiting for a Laboratory Technician to join our client, a fast-growing manufacturing company in Gloucestershire!

The Laboratory Technician supports the Quality and Process team by carrying out routine chemical analysis and process control testing across manufacturing chemistry, ensuring plating, etching and other wet-process lines remain within specification. The role investigates quality issues through structured testing, producing clear reports that support QA decision-making. Working safely with process chemicals at all times, the Laboratory Technician helps protect product quality, process consistency and regulatory compliance across the site.

Laboratory Technician

Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out routine chemical analysis of process solutions (e.g. plating baths, etching and cleaning chemistries) to monitor concentration, contamination and process control limits

• Make chemical additions and adjustments to manufacturing process lines in line with agreed procedures and control limits

• Carry out laboratory and physical tests (e.g. solderability, microsectioning, ionic contamination, peel strength) to investigate quality issues and support root cause analysis

• Produce clear, accurate test reports and records to support the QA department's decision-making and customer/regulatory requirements

• Read and interpret mechanical drawings and specifications (e.g. IPC-A-600) to assess conformance of product samples

• Maintain accurate laboratory records, calibration schedules and traceability of test equipment and samples

• Store, handle and dispose of laboratory and process chemicals safely, in line with COSHH and site environmental requirements

• Support the Quality and Process team with investigation of non-conformances, customer complaints and process deviations

• Maintain a clean, organised and safe laboratory environment, promoting a 6S culture

• Support the movement and handling of chemical drums and laboratory materials, including manual handling and forklift-assisted transport where trained and authorised

• Ensure all laboratory and process chemistry work is carried out safely and in compliance with health and safety legislation and company policy, including COSHH, PPE and safe chemical handling procedures at all times

Laboratory Technician

Core Requirements:

• Understanding of chemistry principles and practical laboratory technique (e.g. titration, sample preparation)

• Awareness of COSHH and safe chemical storage, handling and disposal requirements

• Good record-keeping and report-writing skills to support QA documentation

• A-level Chemistry (or equivalent) or a relevant scientific/laboratory qualification

• Experience carrying out routine chemical analysis or laboratory testing, ideally in a manufacturing or process environment

• Understanding of COSHH and safe chemical handling practices

• Ability to lift and handle loads up to 25kg (50lb) safely, following manual handling training

Laboratory Technician

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Understanding of PCB manufacturing process chemistry (e.g. plating, etching, cleaning lines)

• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and specifications

• Awareness of IPC-A-600 visual acceptability standards

• Knowledge of, or qualification in, IPC-A-600 (or willingness to train)

• Experience or qualification in a PCB, electronics or similarly regulated manufacturing environment

• Forklift truck licence

Laboratory Technician

Working Hours & Benefits:

• 08:30-17:00 Monday-Thursday 08:30-16:00 Fridays

• Quarterly profit-sharing bonus

• 31 days' holiday including Bank Holidays

• Pension - 3% employer 5% employee

• Paid professional development

• Discounts and savings portal

• Wellbeing portal

• Cycle to Work

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Life Assurance policy