Media Prep Technician

Actalent; Vacaville (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and 5

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick)

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Media Prep Technician for a fully onsite role in Vacaville, CA. You will prepare and mix production materials, load fermentation processes, and ensure aseptic conditions to support microbial production.

The ideal candidate has 1–2 years in manufacturing or lab settings, basic microbiology knowledge, and strong documentation skills. This contract position offers competitive hourly pay and benefits as described.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• 1–2 years in manufacturing, fermentation, lab, or production environments.
• Basic understanding of microbiology, sterile processing, or sanitation procedures.
• Ability to follow detailed SOPs and maintain accurate documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and reliability in production settings.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Teamwork and clear communication in a collaborative environment.
• Hands-on experience with sample prep and aseptic practices.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and mix production materials and substrates per procedures and specs.
• Load fermentation containers and inoculate using aseptic techniques.
• Operate sterilization and production equipment safely to support manufacturing.
• Support workflows including material prep, incubation, harvesting, and drying of microbial products.
• Follow SOPs and aseptic practices to maintain quality and minimize contamination.
• Clean and sanitize production areas, tools, and equipment.
• Complete batch records and logs accurately and quickly.
• Report equipment issues or safety concerns to enable continuous improvement.
• Assist with inventory management, including receiving and tracking materials.
• Collaborate with production team to meet daily and weekly goals.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

1–2 years experience

Microbiology basics

Follow procedures & documentation

Attention to detail

Lift 50 lbs + stand

Teamwork & communication

Aseptic manufacturing practices

Education

Associate degree or technical training in Microbiology/Life Sciences

Job description

Job Title: Media Prep TechnicianJob Description

Responsibilities

• Prepare and mix production materials and substrates according to established procedures and specifications.

• Load fermentation containers and perform inoculation activities using appropriate aseptic techniques.

• Operate sterilization and production equipment safely and efficiently to support ongoing manufacturing processes.

• Support production workflows including material preparation, incubation, harvesting, and drying of microbial-based products.

• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and aseptic manufacturing practices to maintain product quality and minimize contamination risks.

• Clean and sanitize production areas, tools, and equipment to uphold strict hygiene and safety standards.

• Complete batch records, production logs, and other required documentation accurately and in a timely manner.

• Report equipment issues, process deviations, or safety concerns promptly to ensure continuous improvement and safe operations.

• Assist with inventory management, including receiving, organizing, and tracking materials and supplies.

• Collaborate with the production team to meet daily and weekly manufacturing goals and contribute to a culture of high-quality scientific work.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or GED.

• 1–2 years of experience in manufacturing, fermentation, laboratory, or production environments.

• Basic understanding of microbiology, sterile processing, or sanitation procedures.

• Ability to follow detailed procedures and maintain accurate, organized documentation.

• Strong attention to detail and reliability in a production setting.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods during production activities.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

• Hands-on experience with sample preparation and aseptic manufacturing practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical training in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related field is preferred.

• Experience working with microbial-based products or fermentation processes is beneficial.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

• Interest in contributing to sustainable agriculture and climate-focused scientific solutions.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite, five days per week, Monday through Friday, in a biological production facility focused on microbial sciences and sustainable agriculture solutions. The environment includes laboratory and production areas with sterilization and fermentation equipment, where strict aseptic techniques, sanitation procedures, and adherence to SOPs are essential. Team members collaborate closely with highly trained scientists and production staff, contributing to high-quality scientific research and manufacturing. The work involves standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 lbs, and working in a fast-paced setting that emphasizes safety, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Vacaville, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $33.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Vacaville,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 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.