Quality Assurance (QA) Lab Technician

BreweryJobs.com; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401k match

Paid vacation and holidays

On-demand pay via DailyPay

Employee stock ownership

Pro deals with local companies

Keg discounts

Free beer for 21+

Job summary

Deschutes Brewery is seeking a QA Laboratory Technician to support brewing, packaging, and warehouse production. The role operates on a 3-shift schedule (Fri–Sun, 6:00pm–6:30am) with potential changes based on business needs.

Compensation starts at $21.68/hour with a path to $32.81/hour after completing internal training for QA Analyst progression, plus a $3/hour night differential. The position emphasizes team-based operation, accurate lab work, and adherence to quality standards in a

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in Fermentation/Food Science or related disciplines OR at least 3 years of related manufacturing and/or lab experience.
• Ability to work in a team environment and across diverse personalities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective time management and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Operate lab equipment such as beer analyzer, gas chromatograph, spectrometer, and packaging analyzer.
• Perform packaging line quality control checks and coordinate with packaging operators on corrective actions.
• Operate packaging inspection equipment and maintain portable QC equipment.
• Conduct beer analyses including alcohol content, IBU, wort color, and other specs.
• Perform microbiology tasks including media prep, plating, and sterilization.
• Maintain sensory samples and library; report nonconformities timely.
• Support production schedule with timely tank releases and startup checks.
• Maintain general housekeeping within Quality Team areas.
• Assist with Deschutes Brewery strategic goals and initiatives.

Skills

Teamwork

Time management

Communication skills

Lab experience

Education

Fermentation/Food Science degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Founded in 1988 in Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery has been pushing the craft beer movement forward for more than three decades. Today, we're proud to be the 6th largest independent craft brewery in the United States, with a reputation built on innovation, quality, and a whole lot of passion for producing a great product. Deschutes continues to grow, with a footprint in all 50 states one of the fastest growing non-alcoholic portfolio's in the country. We've also partnered with brands including Patagonia Provisions, Boneyard Beer and PartyBomb, a new-to-world flavored malt beverage. From hop-forward classics to creative seasonal releases, award winning non-alcoholic beers to flavor forward malt beverages, we're driven by one simple goal: brew damn tasty beverages that bring people together. If you're looking to do meaningful work with people who care deeply about their craft -and know how to have fun along the way- Deschutes Brewery is a place where you can grow and make an impact.

We are currently recruiting for a Quality Assurance (QA) Laboratory Technician to join our team! The anticipated schedule for this role will be 3,12 hour shifts: Friday through Sunday 6:00pm – 6:30am. Schedule may vary or change based on business need. The QA Lab Technician is responsible for conducting lab operations to support brewing, packaging, and warehouse production of our damn tasty beer.

Compensation

Compensation is based on previous experience and starts at $21.68 per hour depending on previous experience, skills, and education/certifications. This position offers a career path up to $32.81/hour for our employees who successfully complete our internal training program to become a Quality Assurance Analyst along with several years of experience working with us. Additionally, we offer a $3.00 per hour shift differential for any hours worked between 6pm and 6am and additional opportunities for wage increases are also associated with cross-training, specialty certifications/licenses and promotional opportunities.

What You'll be Doing:

• Operate lab equipment: Beer analyzer, gas chromatograph, spectrometer, and Package Analyzer.
• Conduct packaging line quality control checks, including container integrity checks, beer quality checks and packaging line audits; work with packaging operators to take corrective actions as needed.
• Operate packaging inspection equipment on the packaging lines.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain portable quality control equipment.
• Beer analysis to determine alcohol content, total package oxygen, International Bittering Units measurements, wort color, etc.
• Perform microbiology tasks such as media preparation, sample plating, equipment sterilization, etc.
• Maintain and manage sensory samples and sensory library.
• Communicate and report product nonconformities.
• Support production schedule timeline with timely tank releases to packaging and start up checks for each production line.
• General housekeeping in all areas the Quality team is responsible for.
• Support Deschutes Brewery strategic initiatives and goals.
• Additional job duties will change as needed to cover Quality Team operations and all internal and external customer needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need For This Position

• Four-year college degree in Fermentation/Food Science or related disciplines OR at least 3 years of related manufacturing and/or lab experience OR a combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the position requirements.
• Success working in a team environment, working with diverse personality and communication styles.
• Ability to work independently and effective time management skills.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Packaging / Brewing.
• Experience in a team-based production environment.
• General lab experience, preferably either with analytical and/or microbiological focus.
• Computer proficiency with Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Just some of the awesome perks of working for Deschutes Brewery

• Awesome co-workers!
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401k Match of 4% vested immediately!
• 2 weeks paid vacation, 1 week sick leave, and paid holidays.
• On Demand Pay (get your money when you need it) available through DailyPay.
• Employee stock ownership - be a part owner of Deschutes Brewery!
• Pro deals with local companies.
• Keg discounts.
• Free beer for those 21+!