Manufacturing Technician I

Actalent; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

PTO

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Rockville, MD is seeking a Manufacturing Technician I to support consumables, kits, and reagent production in a fast-paced, high-throughput laboratory environment. You will operate automated equipment to produce coated plates, buffers, diluents, reagents and assembled kits while following established procedures and quality standards.

The role includes routine documentation, equipment maintenance, and batch-record management, with training and opportunities to grow within a structured

Qualifications

• Experience operating laboratory and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and safe handling of reagents.
• Ability to follow SOPs and written instructions accurately.
• Strong attention to documentation and data capture.
• Experience in operations coordination and inventory control.
• Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, biotechnology, or related disciplines.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Team-oriented with capacity for training and advancement.

Responsibilities

• Operate automated equipment to produce assays and reagents.
• Meet daily/weekly production schedules for kits and reagents.
• Document data, forms, logbooks, and batch records accurately.
• Perform routine maintenance on production equipment.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and readiness of spaces.
• Assist with inventory and material labeling.
• Support process improvements and development activities.
• Manufacture custom requests per protocols and quality standards.
• Follow biosafety and aseptic technique requirements.
• Collaborate with team to meet training and production goals.

Skills

Automated equipment operation

Pipetting techniques

Aseptic technique

SOP adherence

Documentation accuracy

Inventory control

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Biology or Chemistry

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Technician IJob Description

The Manufacturing Technician I supports consumables, kit, and reagent production in a fast-paced, high-throughput laboratory manufacturing environment. This role focuses on producing coated plates, chemical buffers, biological diluents and reagents, and assembled kits to meet production schedules and customer order fulfillment needs. The position offers the opportunity to learn industry-standard laboratory manufacturing practices, contribute to process improvements, and develop strong technical skills while working with automated equipment and established procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate automated equipment to perform and produce biological assays and reagents in accordance with established procedures.
• Support the production of coated plates, chemical buffers, biological diluents and reagents, and assembled kits to meet daily and weekly production schedules.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives and assist with assay and process development activities for manufacturing.
• Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner, including data capture, forms, logbooks, and inventory batch records.
• Perform daily maintenance on production equipment and document all maintenance activities according to standard operating procedures.
• Participate in general laboratory maintenance by helping maintain cleanliness, organization, and readiness of laboratory spaces, supplies, and equipment.
• Maintain physical inventory by processing, aliquoting, vialing, and labeling materials as needed for production and inventory control.
• Prepare, maintain, and report raw material, reagent, and coated plate inventories to support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
• Participate in year-end physical inventory activities and assist with inventory reconciliation.
• Follow all laboratory safety precautions and consistently use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Manufacture custom and prototype requests for customers as needed, following established protocols and quality standards.
• Occasionally handle BSL2 reagents while adhering to all biosafety and aseptic technique requirements.
• Adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and aseptic techniques to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with team members and supervisors to ensure training, scheduling, and production goals are met.
• Perform other related duties as assigned based on departmental needs.

Essential Skills

• Ability to operate laboratory and automated manufacturing equipment for biological assays and reagent production.
• Proficiency with pipettes and pipetting techniques gained through coursework, internships, or previous work experience.
• Understanding of basic laboratory practices, including aseptic technique and safe handling of reagents and materials.
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and detailed written instructions accurately.
• Strong attention to detail for documentation, data capture, forms, logbooks, and batch records.
• Demonstrated experience in operations coordination and inventory control.
• Basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, biotechnology, or related scientific disciplines.
• Ability to maintain laboratory cleanliness, organization, and equipment readiness.
• Capability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-throughput production environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate or bachelors degree in Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Prior manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Experience handling reagents, buffers, and assays in an academic, internship, or industry setting is beneficial.
• Familiarity with BSL2 laboratory practices is advantageous.
• Comfort working with standard laboratory documentation systems, including inventory and batch records.
• Interest in gaining industry experience in a lab-based manufacturing role rather than research-focused work.
• Willingness to participate in a structured training program and learn new techniques and technologies.
• Ability to collaborate in a team-oriented, supportive environment with opportunities for internal advancement.

Work Environment

This role is based in a lab-based manufacturing environment focused on high-throughput production of consumables, kits, and reagents. Work involves routine use of laboratory equipment, automated systems, pipettes, and standard lab supplies while following SOPs and safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment. The schedule follows two main shift windows to extend operational hours without traditional shiftwork. Opening shifts typically start at 5:00 a.m. or 7:00 a.m., with corresponding lunch breaks at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The closing shift starts at 8:00 a.m., with lunch at 12:00 p.m. The 5:00 a.m. shift is reserved for team members who are fully trained on startup procedures and is usually scheduled for the full week or in combination with 7:00 a.m. shifts as needed. Other team members generally work a mix of three 7:00 a.m. shifts and two 8:00 a.m. shifts each week. Schedules are posted on Wednesdays for the following week, and advance requests and time off are accommodated when possible. During the first few weeks, start times are typically 7:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. until hands-on training begins, with details provided by supervision after orientation. The environment is collaborative and training-focused, offering a long, structured training program, opportunities to build foundational industry skills, and potential for advancement within and beyond the department.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $21.63/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) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Rockville, MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Rockville,MD.

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.