Quality Lab Technician

Actalent; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and R

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA (Health Spending Account)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Quality Control Color Specialist in Batavia, IL to join our coatings technology team. You will ensure appearance, performance, and quality of aerospace-grade coatings, working alongside chemists and production staff in a hands-on role.

You'll develop expertise in color science, spectrophotometer operation, and data analysis, contributing to continuous improvement and manufacturing excellence across demanding industries.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the sciences with chemistry lab experience (undergraduate research, internships, academia, etc.).
• High school diploma and previous quality lab testing experience.
• Ability to manipulate QC data in Excel and Access databases.
• Excellent color vision.
• Excellent math skills including metric to standard conversions.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook), ERP system and other office machinery.
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.
• Excellent team building and communications skills.
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to multi‑task.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate color, gloss, and appearance standards.
• Use advanced color measurement equipment.
• Create and review sample panels.
• Perform laboratory quality testing.
• Partner with chemists to resolve technical challenges.
• Make data‑driven adjustments that improve product quality.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.

Skills

Color data manipulation

Excel & Access proficiency

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sciences with chemistry lab experience

High school diploma with quality lab testing experience

Tools

Excel

Access databases

Job description

Quality Control Color Specialist

Launch your career in coatings technology, color science, and advanced manufacturing.

Become a technical problem-solver responsible for ensuring the appearance, performance, and quality of coatings used in demanding aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

This position offers a unique opportunity to learn a specialized skill set that combines chemistry, manufacturing, color science, and data analysis. Working alongside chemists, engineers, and production teams, you'll gain hands‑on experience with industry‑leading technology while developing expertise that is highly valued throughout the coatings and manufacturing industries.

Why Join?

Build a Career, Not Just a Job

In This Role You'll Develop Expertise In

• Color matching and color science
• Industrial coatings technology
• Laboratory testing and quality systems
• Process improvement and data analysis
• Manufacturing operations
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Industry-leading color measurement technology

The skills you gain here can lead to future opportunities in Quality, Research & Development, Process Engineering, Technical Service, and Manufacturing Leadership.

What You'll Learn

As part of our Quality team, you will receive hands‑on training in:

• Professional color matching techniques
• Spectrophotometer operation and color analysis
• Paint and coatings formulation concepts
• Quality control laboratory testing
• Manufacturing data analysis
• Problem‑solving and root cause investigation
• ERP and quality management systems
• Environmental health and safety practices

No other entry‑level manufacturing position offers the same combination of laboratory work, production exposure, chemistry, technology, and visual analysis.

Day‑to‑Day Impact

You'll play a critical role in ensuring every batch meets customer expectations by:

• Evaluating color, gloss, and appearance standards
• Using advanced color measurement equipment
• Creating and reviewing sample panels
• Performing laboratory quality testing
• Partnering with chemists to resolve technical challenges
• Making data‑driven adjustments that improve product quality
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility

Every day presents a new challenge, and your work directly impacts products used by customers across aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in the sciences and some chemistry lab experience (undergraduate research, internships, academia, etc.)
• High school diploma and previous quality lab testing experience
• Ability to manipulate QC data in Excel and Access databases.
• Excellent color vision.
• Excellent math skills including metric to standard conversions.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook), ERP system and other office machinery.
• Superb written and verbal communication skills.
• Willing to work in a team environment and contribute to group goals.
• Excellent team building and communications skills.
• Ability to receive and provide instructions in a positive manner.
• Must be detail oriented with the ability to multi‑task.

Candidates with internships, laboratory coursework, manufacturing experience, or strong mechanical aptitude are encouraged to apply.

What Will Help You Succeed

We're Looking For Individuals Who Are

• Naturally detail‑oriented
• Curious and eager to learn
• Comfortable working with data and numbers
• Interested in science and manufacturing
• Strong communicators and team players
• Passionate about solving technical problems

Most importantly, we're looking for people who want to develop a long‑term career in manufacturing, quality, coatings, or laboratory operations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Batavia, IL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Batavia,IL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 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.