Quality Assurance Technician I

Actalent; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Time Off / PTO

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Quality Assurance Technician I/II/III for a contract role in Carson, CA. The position involves hands-on QA/QC in a food production setting, with responsibilities spanning product checks, sanitation validation, and environmental monitoring.

You will operate on the production floor, perform sensory tests, and document results for leadership review. LEVEL I–III responsibilities scale with experience, including GMP inspections, equipment readiness checks, and CAPA-driven

Qualifications

• Experience in quality control/assurance in food production.
• Ability to perform temperature checks, weight checks, and pH readings accurately and consistently.
• Strong attention to detail in documenting results and identifying deviations.
• Comfort working with SOPs and CAPA processes.

Responsibilities

• Perform product temperature checks.
• Conduct ATP hygiene checks.
• Inspect production equipment cleanliness.
• Record results and report deviations to QA leadership.
• Assist GMP inspections on the floor.
• Support audits and root cause investigations.

Skills

Quality control experience

Temperature checks

pH readings

GMP inspections

Documentation accuracy

SOPs & CAPA

Meat industry experience

Data entry

Clear communication

Education

Bachelors in Food Science

Tools

Vacuum testing equipment

Thermometer calibration

pH meters

Job description

Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician I / II / III

Job Description

This multi-level Quality Assurance Technician role supports comprehensive quality control and food safety activities within a production environment. Technicians at levels I, II, and III perform product and equipment checks, verify sanitation and labeling, conduct environmental monitoring, and contribute to continuous improvement of quality and food safety programs. The position offers structured responsibilities by level, hands-on work on the production floor, and an opportunity for long-term growth after an initial contract period.

Responsibilities

• Perform product temperature checks throughout production to ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards.

• Conduct ATP equipment hygiene checks to verify cleanliness and sanitation effectiveness.

• Inspect production equipment for cleanliness and readiness prior to use.

• Perform Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspections on the production floor.

• Conduct sanitizer concentration verification to confirm proper levels for effective sanitation.

• Measure pH and salt concentrations for in-process and finished products.

• Perform pre-operational inspections prior to production start-up.

• Verify water temperatures to ensure they meet required specifications.

• Accurately document all test results and promptly report deviations to Quality Assurance leadership.

• Perform all Quality Control Technician I responsibilities when working in Technician II or III capacities.

• Conduct thermometer calibrations to maintain accurate temperature measurement devices.

• Perform seal integrity checks using vacuum testing equipment to confirm proper packaging performance.

• Collect sensory and retain samples for future reference and evaluation.

• Conduct sensory evaluations of finished products to assess quality and consistency.

• Verify label accuracy and compliance with regulatory and internal standards.

• Communicate food safety and product quality concerns clearly to supervisors and production teams.

• Perform all Quality Control Technician I and II duties when working in Technician III capacity.

• Monitor and document freezer and cooler temperatures to ensure proper cold chain control.

• Conduct environmental swabbing in ready-to-eat (RTE) production areas to verify sanitation and environmental controls.

• Oversee receiving inspections of ingredients and raw materials to confirm quality and compliance with specifications.

• Assist in root cause investigations and support implementation of corrective actions for quality or food safety issues.

• Support internal and external audits by providing documentation, data, and process information.

• Provide guidance and training to junior team members on quality control procedures, documentation, and food safety practices.

Essential Skills

• Experience in quality control or quality assurance within a production or food environment.

• Ability to perform temperature checks, weight checks, and pH readings accurately and consistently.

• Strong attention to detail when documenting results and identifying deviations.

• Comfort working with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

• Meat industry experience.

• Basic to intermediate computer skills for data entry and documentation.

• Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors and production teams regarding food safety and quality concerns.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Food Science is helpful.

• Familiarity with quality assurance practices in food manufacturing, including sanitation verification and GMP inspections.

• Experience with ATP equipment hygiene checks and sanitizer concentration verification.

• Experience using vacuum testing equipment for seal integrity checks.

• Ability to conduct sensory evaluations and collect sensory and retain samples.

• Comfort monitoring freezer and cooler temperatures and conducting environmental swabbing in ready-to-eat areas.

• Experience supporting audits and participating in root cause investigations and corrective actions.

Work Environment

This role is based in a food production facility with active processing and packaging operations. Technicians work on and around the production floor, performing frequent checks on equipment, products, and environmental conditions. The position involves standing, walking, and working in refrigerated areas such as freezers and coolers while monitoring temperatures and performing inspections. Work is organized by shifts, with multiple openings available: Quality Control Technician I positions are 7 AM, 9 AM, or 10 AM start times, and Quality Control Technician II positions are on first shift with early morning start times (approximately 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM). Training during the first week takes place from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM to ensure thorough onboarding and familiarity with procedures and equipment. The environment emphasizes adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices, sanitation standards, and food safety protocols, and offers the opportunity for long-term growth following an initial six-month contract duration.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.85 - $24.57/hr.

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 position based out of Carson, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Carson,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.

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.