Laboratory Technician - contract to hire

Periodic Labs; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Periodic Labs is looking for an experienced Laboratory Technician in Menlo Park. The role involves supporting the operations of a high-throughput materials experimentation facility, ensuring lab efficiency through tasks like instrument calibration and quality control.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related field, possess strong attention to detail, and be comfortable with both manual tasks and technical contributions. Familiarity with laboratory software and tools is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or equivalent experience in a lab setting.
• Ability to follow detailed SOPs with high standards.
• Experience in physical, repetitive tasks with precision.

Responsibilities

• Perform calibration and verification of instruments.
• Execute quality control workflows for data integrity.
• Develop and document SOPs for lab procedures.
• Support new technician training.

Skills

Attention to detail

Technical curiosity

Communication skills

Efficiency in physical tasks

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

LIMS, LES, MES or SCADA

Job description

Location

Menlo Park

Employment Type

Full time

Location Type

On-site

Department

Atoms: Lab, physics, chemistry, etc.

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Laboratory Technician to support the daily operations of our high-throughput materials experimentation facility. This role is ideal for someone with a science or engineering background who enjoys working with instruments, performing physical lab tasks, and improving workflows over time. You’ll help ensure the lab runs efficiently by performing calibrations, executing quality control (QC) protocols, supporting method development, and contributing to standard operating procedure (SOP) creation. The role involves both manual repetitive tasks (with a mindset for automation and optimization) and technical contributions that improve reliability and throughput.

Responsibilities

• Perform regular calibration and verification of instruments and sensors.

• Execute and refine quality control (QC) workflows to ensure data integrity.

• Perform and optimize manual material handling and preparation steps (e.g., weighing, labeling, packaging).

• Assist with inventory tracking and lab organization.

• Collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop and document SOPs for routine lab procedures.

• Identify inefficiencies in manual workflows and propose or implement improvements.

• Support onboarding of new technicians by training them on best practices.

• Support development of QC and metrology protocols for new processes and instruments.

• Participate in test runs and validation of new labware, equipment, or experimental methods.
  Assist with troubleshooting equipment or process anomalies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience in a technical lab setting.

• Demonstrated ability to follow detailed SOPs and maintain high standards of consistency and cleanliness.

• Comfortable performing physical, repetitive tasks with precision and motivated to make them more efficient.

• Technically curious and excited to learn how to operate, maintain, and improve complex equipment.

• Not afraid to do hands-on work (moving materials, cleaning tools, prepping batches) as part of daily routine.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Comfortable using basic software tools (Excel/Google Sheets, lab inventory systems, etc.).

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience in a robotics-integrated lab, pilot plant, or high-throughput R&D environment.

• Familiarity with systems like LIMS, LES, MES or SCADA, metrology tools, or process control.

• Prior work in cleanroom, semiconductor, battery, or analytical chemistry settings.

• Powered machinery and power tools familiarity (pallet jacks, impact wrench, etc…)