Softgel Pilot Lab Technician – Scale-Up & Optimization

All Aviation Jobs; Vista (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

All Aviation Jobs in Vista, CA is seeking a R&D Pilot Lab Technician to support the development and scale‑up of softgel processes in the Product Development pilot facility. You will prepare and run pilot‑scale softgel batches, operate equipment, perform in‑process testing, and document results with high accuracy.

As the softgel pilot lab is newly established, you will help develop workflows, SOPs, batch records, and equipment readiness under the guidance of the Senior R&D Process Engineer, while

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience working in manufacturing, preferably in nutraceutical, pharmaceutical or food production.
• Must be able to read and interpret documents such as standard operating procedures, and regulations
• Must be able to work cross functionally with many different departments and various skill levels
• Basic knowledge of food & supplement regulations such as cGMPs is highly desirable
• Ability to deal with complex problems with many variables
• Basic skills in math, including algebra are required

Responsibilities

• Prepare and execute pilot‑scale softgel batches (including gelatin prep, fill formulation, encapsulation, drying) with increasing independence and strong attention to process parameters.
• Operate, clean, tear down, and maintain softgel pilot equipment; perform basic troubleshooting and identify mechanical or process issues for escalation within PD.
• Conduct in‑process and analytical testing (viscosity, density, fill weight, moisture, gel strength, pH) and prepare samples for QA, stability, or external laboratory evaluation.
• Support development and maintenance of pilot lab workflows, SOPs, batch records, equipment logs, and cleaning procedures for softgel operations.
• Maintain pilot lab inventory of raw materials, consumables, and testing instruments; ensure readiness and 5S organization across the lab.
• Contribute to small process improvement initiatives and support RCA/CAPA investigations through accurate data collection, documentation, and process observations, within the pilot lab environment.
• Execute small‑scale engineering trials under guidance, including parameter tracking, sampling, data logging, and trial documentation to support DOE, center‑lining, and process capability assessments.
• Work closely with PD Formulators and the Senior R&D Process Engineer to support softgel development, scale‑up readiness, and business‑sustaining technical activities.
• Communicate equipment issues, process risks, and trial outcomes to PD engineering leadership to support ongoing pilot lab development and optimization.

Skills

Detail oriented

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

MS Office proficiency

Tools

MS Office

Excel

Job description

All Aviation Jobs in Vista, CA is seeking a R&D Pilot Lab Technician to support the development and scale‑up of softgel processes in the Product Development pilot facility. You will prepare and run pilot‑scale softgel batches, operate equipment, perform in‑process testing, and document results with high accuracy.

As the softgel pilot lab is newly established, you will help develop workflows, SOPs, batch records, and equipment readiness under the guidance of the Senior R&D Process Engineer, while