Research And Development Technician

Actalent; Union City (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Research and Development Technician Assistant in Union City, CA, to support the R&D team with laboratory and sample preparation activities that enable experiments, product development, and process improvements.

You will make and ship samples, monitor experiments, maintain equipment, manage supplies, and collect data while adhering to food safety and quality standards and internal customer expectations. This role is contract-to-hire and onsite.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 12 years of experience working in a laboratory or commercial kitchen environment preferred.
• Familiarity with laboratory and kitchen equipment and instruments.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and complete records.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to follow safety protocols consistently and maintain a safe working environment.
• Good organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and other relevant software applications.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, package, and ship samples to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring high sample quality and timely turnaround.
• Monitor experiments and trials, accurately record observations, and document results in a clear and organized manner.
• Collect, organize, and maintain experimental data and research records, and assist with basic data analysis as directed.
• Maintain laboratory and kitchen equipment, including routine cleaning, checks, and minor upkeep to keep equipment in good working order.
• Order, receive, and stock laboratory and kitchen supplies, ensuring materials are available when needed and properly stored.
• Adhere to all safety protocols, food safety guidelines, and quality standards to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
• Communicate effectively with Research and Development team members regarding project status, sample needs, and laboratory requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, share observations, and contribute ideas and suggestions to improve laboratory processes and procedures.
• Support internal customer satisfaction by responding promptly to sample and data requests and maintaining professional service levels.
• Follow established procedures and documentation practices to ensure accurate record-keeping and traceability.
• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Research and Development in support of ongoing projects.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Team collaboration

English fluency

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in related field (food science / laboratory science)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Job description

Research and Development Technician Assistant

The Research and Development Technician Assistant supports the Research and Development team by performing laboratory and sample preparation activities that enable experiments, product development, and process improvement. This role focuses on making and shipping samples, monitoring experiments, maintaining and cleaning laboratory and kitchen equipment, ordering and stocking supplies, and collecting and organizing data, all while adhering to food safety and quality standards and internal customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, package, and ship samples to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring high sample quality and timely turnaround.


• Monitor experiments and trials, accurately record observations, and document results in a clear and organized manner.


• Collect, organize, and maintain experimental data and research records, and assist with basic data analysis as directed.


• Maintain laboratory and kitchen equipment, including routine cleaning, checks, and minor upkeep to keep equipment in good working order.


• Order, receive, and stock laboratory and kitchen supplies, ensuring materials are available when needed and properly stored.


• Adhere to all safety protocols, food safety guidelines, and quality standards to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.


• Communicate effectively with Research and Development team members regarding project status, sample needs, and laboratory requirements.


• Participate in team meetings, share observations, and contribute ideas and suggestions to improve laboratory processes and procedures.


• Support internal customer satisfaction by responding promptly to sample and data requests and maintaining professional service levels.


• Follow established procedures and documentation practices to ensure accurate record-keeping and traceability.


• Complete other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Research and Development in support of ongoing projects.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.


• 12 years of experience working in a laboratory or commercial kitchen environment preferred.


• Familiarity with laboratory and kitchen equipment and instruments.


• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate and complete records.


• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively within a team.


• Fluency in English with strong verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to follow safety protocols consistently and maintain a safe working environment.


• Good organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks and changing priorities.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, and other relevant software applications.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field such as food science, laboratory science, or a similar discipline preferred.


• Experience in food science or food-related laboratory work is an advantage.


• Comfort working with food safety and quality standards and understanding their impact on laboratory procedures.


• Ability to support internal customer satisfaction by delivering accurate samples and data on time.


• Willingness to learn new laboratory techniques, equipment, and software as needed.


• Strong problem-solving mindset with the ability to identify process improvements in laboratory workflows.

Work Environment

This position operates in a laboratory and processing environment that may also include commercial kitchen settings. The role frequently requires standing, walking, lifting, reaching, stooping, bending, smelling, listening, speaking, and seeing to perform essential job functions. Work conditions and hours vary based on project needs, and flexibility is important. Temperatures in processing departments can range from approximately 5°F to 90°F, and the technician may move between cold and warm areas during the day. The work environment may involve exposure to hazardous chemicals and materials, and the technician must follow all safety protocols and wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as lab coats, gloves, and safety glasses as required. The role requires the ability to bend, stoop, pull, and lift up to 35 pounds and to stand for long periods of time. Close visual acuity is necessary to view computer terminals, analyze reports, manage data, and review detailed information. The culture emphasizes food safety, quality, internal customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement in laboratory processes.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Union City, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $28.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 11, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Union City,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.

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.