MCS Manufacturing Associate

Actalent; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Honda?

Job summary

Actalent in Thousand Oaks, CA seeks a MCS Manufacturing Associate to support regulated manufacturing. You will set up and operate equipment, prepare buffers, and document work in real time, ensuring cGMP compliance and safety.

Collaboration with Quality, Engineering, and Automation is essential for continuous improvement. Education options include a biology/life sciences degree or related manufacturing experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Life Sciences preferred.
• Experience or formal education aligned with cGMP manufacturing.
• Willingness to work in a regulated, fast-paced facility and follow SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Set up, clean, sanitize, and inspect manufacturing equipment per SOPs.
• Prepare buffers and media following master production records and SOPs.
• Follow GMP/cGMP documents with strict safety and compliance.
• Perform in-process sampling and operate analytical equipment as needed.
• Draft, revise, and improve SOPs and MPs reflecting best practices.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Automation, and other teams.

Skills

SOPs & GMP

Equipment setup

Documentation

Safety compliance

Teamwork

Training readiness

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or Life Sciences

Associates degree + 4 years experience

High school diploma/GED + 6 years experience

Tools

Chromatography

Filtration

UF/DF operations

Job description

MCS Manufacturing Associate Recent Science Graduates Job Description The MCS Manufacturing Associate plays a key hands-on role in a regulated manufacturing environment, supporting the production of high-quality products through precise execution of procedures, operation of equipment, and adherence to cGMP and safety standards. This position involves setting up, operating, cleaning, and inspecting manufacturing equipment, preparing buffers and media, documenting work in real time, and collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations across various shifts.

Responsibilities

• Set up, clean, sanitize, and inspect a variety of manufacturing equipment and process areas according to approved procedures and standards.
• Prepare buffers and media following defined manufacturing procedures, master production records (MPs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Follow GMP documents, including SOPs and MPs, with strict adherence to safety, compliance, and cGMP requirements at all times.
• Perform and monitor critical manufacturing processes, conduct basic troubleshooting, and respond to alarms or unexpected conditions by following procedures and notifying appropriate support teams.
• Perform in-process sampling of equipment and operate analytical equipment as required to support production activities.
• Carry out washroom activities, including cleaning small and large-scale equipment used in production.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized workspace and ensure process areas are kept in a state of readiness.
• Work in a clean room environment while wearing appropriate protective attire, including steel toe shoes, full clean room gowning, hairnet, and gloves.
• Initiate quality reports and support quality‑related investigations as needed.
• Draft, revise, and improve documents such as SOPs and MPs to reflect current practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify, recommend, and implement improvements related to routine functions and manufacturing processes.
• Assist in the review of documentation for assigned functions, including equipment logs and batch records, to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Perform manufacturing activities according to approved procedures, batch records, and cGMP requirements, including buffer preparation, chromatography, filtration, and UF/DF operations as applicable.
• Complete batch documentation and electronic records accurately, thoroughly, and in real time.
• Verify equipment status, materials, and documentation before and during operations to ensure readiness and compliance.
• Monitor process parameters, record observations, and elevate issues promptly to Quality, Engineering, Automation, and other support groups.
• Communicate process status, issues, and handoff details clearly to teammates and to the next shift to ensure continuity of operations.
• Participate in training, qualification, and continuous improvement activities to maintain and enhance operational competence.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Quality, Engineering, Automation, and other support groups, to keep manufacturing activities on track.
• Perform activities that include periods of rigorous, repetitive work and work around high-pressure systems and heavy equipment while following all safety guidelines.
• Work effectively within a team environment, contribute to a positive work culture, and support colleagues in completing operational tasks.
• Remain available to work various shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays, on 3x12 or 4x12 hour schedules as dictated by the production plan.

Essential Skills

• Experience following SOPs, batch records, GMP, and cGMP requirements with strong compliance and safety focus.
• Familiarity with equipment setup, operation, cleaning, sanitization, and status checks in a manufacturing or operations environment.
• Ability to perform manufacturing steps accurately and document work in real time in both paper and electronic systems.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety, product quality, and procedural adherence.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills in a fast‑paced, shift‑based environment.
• Willingness to learn new processes and complete required training and qualification activities.
• Ability to work in teams to complete operational tasks and contribute positively to the work environment.
• Ability to take direction well and follow documents, policies, and procedures at all times.
• Ability to take initiative and proactively identify and support process improvements.
• Physical ability to regularly lift up to 35 pounds, push and pull objects requiring up to 50 pounds of force, and work on feet for long durations.
• Physical ability to perform bending, reaching above the head, climbing, kneeling, squatting, stooping, walking upstairs, and standing on portable stairs or ladders up to 6 feet off the ground.
• Education and experience meeting one of the following: bachelors degree; associates degree 4 years of manufacturing/operations experience; or high school diploma/GED 6 years of manufacturing/operations experience.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Biology or Life Sciences is preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working around high-pressure systems and heavy equipment.
• Experience in buffer preparation, chromatography, filtration, and UF/DF operations in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience collaborating with Quality, Engineering, Automation, and other support groups.
• Prior experience working in a clean room or other controlled manufacturing environment.
• Experience drafting, revising, and reviewing SOPs, MPs, equipment logs, and batch records.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in continuous improvement activities and implement process enhancements.

Work Environment This role is based in a regulated manufacturing facility with a clean room environment and a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and cGMP compliance. You will work around high-pressure systems and occasionally heavy equipment, performing hands‑on operations and repetitive tasks on the production floor. The position requires wearing appropriate protective attire, including steel toe shoes, full clean room gowning, hairnet, and gloves for most activities. The work is fast‑paced and shift‑based, with flexibility to work various shifts such as days, nights, weekends, and holidays on 3x12 or 4x12 hour schedules depending on production needs. The environment promotes teamwork, clear communication across shifts, and collaboration with Quality, Engineering, Automation, and other support groups, while maintaining a clean, organized, and safety‑focused workspace.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Thousand Oaks, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $25.00/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)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Thousand Oaks,CA.

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.