QC Chemist

Actalent; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a QC Chemist in West Haven, CT for contract-to-hire. The role focuses on sample preparation for analytical testing, including standards, reagents, and materials to enable accurate QC analyses.

Responsibilities include preparing samples for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC, CVS, and titration, maintaining records, and ensuring safety and traceability. The ideal candidate has a chemistry background with lab experience and strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field.
• Previous laboratory experience in sample preparation or wet chemistry is preferred.
• Ability to perform weighing, pipetting, dilutions, and solution preparation.
• Strong understanding of safe chemical handling and waste disposal.
• Ability to follow written procedures accurately and consistently.

Responsibilities

• Prepare QC samples following approved SOPs and specifications.
• Weigh, pipet, dilute, digest, extract, and filter samples with accuracy.
• Maintain standards, reagents, and lab materials with proper traceability.
• Prepare samples for ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC, CVS, and titration analyses.
• Keep accurate records of calculations, dilutions, and reagent IDs.
• Follow contamination control practices to ensure data integrity.
• Communicate potential delays or constraints to management.

Skills

Chemistry degree

Lab experience

Weighing & pipetting

Calculations

Safety & waste

Procedural compliance

Attention to detail

Time management

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Tools

ICP-OES

ICP-MS

HPLC

CVS

Titration

Job description

Job Title: QC Chemist

The QC Chemist (Sample Preparation Chemist) supports the quality control laboratory by performing timely, accurate, and controlled preparation of raw material, in-process, finished-product, engineering, and other laboratory samples for analytical testing. This role prepares samples, standards, reagents, and associated materials in accordance with approved methods and laboratory procedures to enable efficient and reliable analytical testing by QC Chemists. The position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, technical environment focused on innovation, sustainability, and customer-oriented problem solving, with exposure to advanced technologies serving automotive, aerospace, electronics, construction, and industrial manufacturing sectors, as well as opportunities for career growth within a larger global specialty chemicals organization.

Responsibilities

• Prepare QC samples in accordance with approved analytical methods, standard operating procedures, specifications, and laboratory requirements.
• Perform weighing, pipetting, dilution, digestion, extraction, filtration, mixing, and other required sample preparation activities with high accuracy and control.
• Prepare and maintain standards, reagents, solutions, and related laboratory materials in compliance with established expiration dates and traceability requirements.
• Stage prepared samples for analytical techniques such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC, CVS, titration, and other applicable testing methods.
• Maintain accurate and complete sample preparation records, including calculations, dilution factors, reagent identification, and traceability documentation.
• Follow appropriate contamination control practices for trace-metal and other sensitive analytical testing to ensure data integrity.
• Prioritize sample preparation activities based on production schedules, shipment needs, customer requirements, investigations, and project timelines, and communicate potential delays or resource constraints.
• Keep sample preparation areas, glassware, equipment, supplies, reagents, standards, and consumables organized and in inspection-ready condition.
• Perform routine checks and basic maintenance on sample preparation equipment as assigned to support reliable laboratory operations.
• Support laboratory investigations involving sample preparation errors, contamination, atypical results, or preparation-related variability.
• Adhere to applicable environmental, health, and safety requirements for chemical handling, waste segregation, personal protective equipment, and hazardous material handling.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities aimed at enhancing laboratory workflow and improving QC turnaround time.
• Support training and qualification activities related to assigned sample preparation procedures, sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues.
• Perform other QC laboratory activities within the scope of demonstrated training and qualification as needed to support overall laboratory operations.

Essential Skills

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant laboratory experience.
• Previous laboratory experience preferred, including sample preparation, wet chemistry, or chemical handling.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory techniques such as weighing, pipetting, dilution, solution preparation, filtration, and sample handling.
• Ability to perform routine calculations associated with dilutions, concentrations, and solution preparation.
• Understanding of proper chemical handling, contamination control, laboratory safety, and hazardous waste practices.
• Ability to follow written analytical procedures accurately and consistently.
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to maintain precise records and ensure accuracy in all sample preparation activities.
• Effective time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• Ability to work independently on assigned activities while recognizing when issues require escalation.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a laboratory team, collaborating with scientists, engineers, manufacturing professionals, and commercial teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with sample preparation for advanced analytical techniques such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, HPLC, CVS, and titration is beneficial.
• Familiarity with quality control laboratory practices and documentation requirements is an advantage.
• Interest in continuous improvement and willingness to participate in activities that enhance laboratory workflow and turnaround time.
• Comfort working in a collaborative, technical environment with exposure to innovative technologies in specialty chemicals and surface finishing solutions.
• Alignment with a culture that emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused problem solving.
• Appreciation for an inclusive work environment that values diverse perspectives as a driver of innovation and growth.

Work Environment

This role is based in a quality control laboratory environment where the QC Chemist spends most of the day standing while performing sample preparation activities. The typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The work involves regular use of laboratory equipment, glassware, reagents, and analytical instrumentation, and requires adherence to environmental, health, and safety practices, including appropriate use of personal protective equipment and proper handling of chemicals and hazardous waste. Employees work in a collaborative, technical setting alongside experienced scientists, engineers, manufacturing professionals, and commercial teams, with exposure to innovative technologies supporting customers in automotive, aerospace, electronics, construction, and industrial manufacturing industries. The organization promotes a culture of innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused problem solving, and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity as integral elements of its work environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of West Haven, CT.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $30.00/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 West Haven,CT. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 2, 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.