Quality Lead

reubensbrews; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

401(k) retirement savings plan with 4% company match

Job summary

Reuben's Brews in Seattle, WA is seeking a Brewery Quality Lead to join our award-winning team. The successful candidate will champion craft excellence and ensure product consistency through rigorous quality control.

Responsibilities include microbiological testing, compliance with safety guidelines, and leading sensory evaluation programs. Candidates should have at least 2–3 years of hands-on experience in a brewery setting and a degree in a relevant scientific field.
We offer benefits like medical insurance and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2–3 years of experience in quality control in a production brewery.
• Degree in relevant scientific field is highly beneficial.
• Ability to lift up to 55 lbs and stand for long intervals.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily microbiological and chemical testing on beer.
• Audit brewing and packaging lines for specifications.
• Lead sensory evaluation program and train team members.

Skills

Microbiological testing

Chemical testing

Laboratory equipment familiarity

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Education

Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Brewing Science

Tools

Spectrophotometers

DO meters

Microscopes

Brewery ERP software (Ekos)

Job description

Position summary

Reuben's Brews is seeking a Brewery Quality Lead to join our award‑winning team at our production facility in Seattle, WA. In this role, you will be our on‑the‑floor champion for craft excellence, product consistency, and sensory standards. You will report directly to the Head of Production and Quality.

About us

Reuben's Brews is a family brewery that opened in 2012. We brew from the glass backwards: designing each beer with intention, unbound by constraints. We know making the extra effort is worth it. We are the most decorated brewery in Washington, have two brewhouses, two tasting rooms, and two private event spaces, and we distribute our beer predominantly in the Pacific Northwest.

The role

Laboratory Operations & Analysis

• Perform daily microbiological and chemical testing on yeast, wort, and finished beer.
• Track critical metrics including gravity, VDK (diacetyl), ABV, CO2 & O2 levels, and turbidity.
• Manage, calibrate, and maintain all laboratory instrumentation and inspection equipment.
• Monitor yeast health, viability, cell counts, and pitch rates across multiple brewhouses.

Production & Packaging Quality Control

• Audit brewing, cellaring, and packaging lines to verify physical specifications.
• Perform packaging integrity checks, including can seam inspections and dissolved oxygen testing.
• Lead the brewery’s sensory evaluation program and train team members on off‑flavor detection.
• Investigate out‑of‑specification batches and coordinate corrective actions with the cellar team.

Food Safety & Compliance

• Maintain Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance.
• Update and manage the brewery's Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program.
• Ensure strict adherence to Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) and King County Public Health safety guidelines.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience: Minimum 2–3 years of hands‑on experience in a quality control or quality assurance role within a production brewery environment.
• Education: Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Food Science, Brewing Science, or a related field is highly beneficial.
• Technical Skills: Deep familiarity with laboratory equipment (e.g., spectrophotometers, DO meters, microscopes) and brewery ERP software (such as Ekos).
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 55 lbs, stand for long intervals, and work in hot, cold, or wet production environments.

We also expect the successful candidate to demonstrate the following:

• Glass Backwards mentality – taking unique, solution‑focused approaches to problems
• A proven track record of Making it Happen – infectiously enthusiastic and can‑do attitude – a thirst to learn, to teach others, and an obsessive commitment to our brewery’s success is an absolute must
• Recognition that we are here to delight - for internal and external customers, partners, and the Reuben’s team as a whole
• A One Team mentality – a team‑focused approach to achieving results
• Assume the Best Intent – no ego, a focus on team results, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves and jump in where needed
• A Passion for Craft – recognize and live a mentality that the extra effort is worth it.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time as necessitated by business demands. Roles and responsibilities may evolve over the years reflecting the growth and maturity of the brewery.

Benefits

• Medical and Dental Insurance (for all employees who work 20+ hours per week)
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with 4% company match

Details

• Must be over 21
• This position is in‑person
• $30.00-$33.00/hour DOE