Lab Technician

Actalent; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Onsite position

Performance recognition

Job summary

Actalent in San Jose, CA is seeking a Lab Technician to support an innovative R&D and manufacturing team. You will operate production equipment at an R&D level, handle chemicals safely, and help ensure products meet strict quality standards.

The role emphasizes safety, hands-on work, and collaboration while performing documentation, repetitive tasks, and process improvements in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in synthesis, manufacturing, chemical handling, or related field.
• Strong safety awareness and adherence to procedures.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and handle 55-gallon drums.

Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment at a research and development level following SOPs.
• Load and unload materials to support daily production activities.
• Handle chemicals and chemical waste with proper safety and disposal.
• Inspect products to verify they meet quality requirements and documentation standards.
• Complete production records and logs accurately and promptly.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area following 5S.
• Monitor equipment performance and report safety or quality concerns.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures at all times.
• Support daily production, quality, and efficiency goals through teamwork.
• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements and basic manual tasks.
• Use hand tools and basic manufacturing equipment as needed.
• Adapt to changing synthesis and production needs and support improvements.

Skills

Safety compliance

Lab equipment

Document control

SOP adherence

Team collaboration

Detail oriented

MS Office

Physical stamina

Lab safety

Chemical handling

Job description

Job Title: Lab Technician

This Lab Technician role supports an innovative research and development team in a fast-paced laboratory and manufacturing environment. You will operate production equipment at an R&D level, handle chemicals and waste safely, and help ensure products meet strict quality standards. The ideal candidate is safety-focused, eager to learn, dependable, and enjoys working collaboratively while performing hands-on work.

Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment at a research and development level in accordance with standard work instructions and established procedures.
• Load and unload materials, components, and finished products to support daily production activities.
• Handle chemicals and chemical waste on a daily basis while following appropriate safety and disposal procedures.
• Inspect products to verify they meet all quality requirements, specifications, and documentation standards.
• Complete production records, logs, and documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area by following 5S principles and housekeeping standards.
• Monitor equipment performance and promptly report any operational, quality, or safety concerns.
• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and work practices at all times.
• Support the achievement of daily production, quality, and efficiency goals through effective work habits and teamwork.
• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements and other physical tasks required for laboratory and manufacturing operations.
• Use hand tools and basic manufacturing equipment as needed to support synthesis and production processes.
• Adapt to changing synthesis and production needs by learning new skills and supporting process improvements.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in synthesis, manufacturing, chemical or waste handling, or a closely related field.
• Strong safety awareness and strict adherence to safety procedures and protocols.
• Ability to handle chemicals and chemical waste confidently and responsibly.
• Experience working in a laboratory, production, or reactor-based environment.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and detailed work instructions.
• Attention to detail and a strong commitment to product and documentation quality.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams for documentation and communication.
• Basic math and measurement skills for accurate calculations and material handling.
• Effective teamwork and communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and support shared goals.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately and consistently.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and problem-solving abilities to address routine equipment or process issues.
• Reliability, dependability, and consistent attendance to support production schedules.
• Comfort working in a manufacturing environment and performing hands‑on tasks.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time during shifts.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and push 55‑gallon drums as required.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and arm movements safely and efficiently.
• Ability to work in an environment with noise, dust, and varying temperatures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience using hand tools and basic manufacturing equipment is a plus.
• Familiarity with reactors and basic chemistry concepts is beneficial.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a willingness to support process enhancements and optimization initiatives.
• Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to evolving synthesis and production requirements.
• Comfort working in a small‑company environment with strong financial backing and growth potential.
• Ability to contribute positively to a supportive, collaborative, and team‑oriented culture where colleagues help one another.

Work Environment

This role is based in a lab and manufacturing environment that combines research and development activities with production operations. You will work around laboratory equipment, reactors, and production machinery while handling chemicals and chemical waste. The setting includes typical manufacturing conditions such as noise, dust, and varying temperatures, and requires standing for extended periods, lifting up to 40 pounds, and pushing 55‑gallon drums. The culture offers a small‑company feel with strong financial support, where team members are collaborative, supportive, and focused on safety, quality, and continuous improvement. Dress code is appropriate laboratory and manufacturing attire suitable for handling chemicals and working around equipment, in alignment with safety policies.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $30.00/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)
• Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 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 [e-mail] 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.