Laboratory Technician

Planet Pharma Group; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma is seeking a hands-on Laboratory Technician in Menlo Park, CA for a 12-month contract onsite. You will support a high-throughput materials R&D environment with calibration, QC, material prep, inventory management, and SOP development.

Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, able to perform repetitive tasks accurately, and eager to contribute to automation and workflow improvements while maintaining rigorous documentation and safety standards in a scientific lab setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Eng, Mechanical Eng or related field.
• Experience in lab, manufacturing, QC, or technical setting.
• Strict SOP adherence and clean lab practices.
• Proficient with Excel or Google Sheets and basic lab software.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive lab tasks with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Perform instrument calibrations, verifications, and document results.
• Execute QC protocols and support data integrity initiatives.
• Prepare materials including weighing, labeling, packaging, and batch prep.
• Maintain inventory and chemical management systems.
• Create and update SOPs for routine procedures.
• Identify inefficiencies and drive continuous improvement.
• Support onboarding and training of new lab personnel.
• Assist with validation and qualification of new equipment and methods.
• Troubleshoot lab equipment and process issues.

Skills

SOP Adherence

Documentation

Excel/Sheets

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

LIMS

LES

MES

SCADA

Job description

Laboratory Technician

Location: Menlo Park, CA (100% onsite)
Duration: 12-month contract with extension/possible conversion
Schedule: Swing shift with weekend flexibility

Position Overview

Seeking a hands-on Laboratory Technician to support a high-throughput materials R&D environment. This individual will be responsible for equipment calibration, quality control activities, material preparation, inventory management, SOP development, and general laboratory operations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable performing repetitive laboratory tasks, and interested in improving processes through automation and workflow optimization.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform instrument and sensor calibrations, verification activities, and documentation.
• Execute QC protocols and support data integrity initiatives.
• Handle material preparation activities including weighing, labeling, packaging, and batch preparation.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, chemical management systems, and overall lab organization.
• Create, update, and follow SOPs for routine laboratory procedures.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support onboarding and training of new laboratory personnel.
• Assist with validation and qualification of new equipment, instruments, and methods.
• Troubleshoot laboratory equipment and process issues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related scientific discipline.
• Experience working in a laboratory, manufacturing, quality control, or technical environment.
• Strong adherence to SOPs, documentation practices, and laboratory cleanliness standards.
• Experience with Excel, Google Sheets, or basic laboratory software systems.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive hands‑on laboratory tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-throughput R&D, pilot plant, automation, or robotics-integrated laboratories.
• Familiarity with:
  • LIMS
  • LES
  • MES
  • SCADA
• Experience in cleanroom, semiconductor, battery, or analytical chemistry environments.
• Exposure to characterization techniques such as:
  • XRD
  • SEM/EDS
  • TGA/DSC
  • BET
  • Metrology equipment
• Experience operating powered equipment (pallet jacks, impact wrenches, etc.).

Ideal Backgrounds

Candidates coming from companies such as Tesla, Enovix, QuantumScape, Sila Nanotechnologies, Amprius, Applied Materials, Lam Research, KLA, Intel, Micron, Western Digital, Form Energy, Genentech, Thermo Fisher Scientific, or EAG Laboratories would likely align well with the technical and laboratory requirements of this role.