Surge Support

Amentum company; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement benefits (401(k) matching)

Educational reimbursement

Parental leave

Employee stock purchase plan

Tax-saving options

Disability and life insurance

Pet insurance

Job summary

Amentum is seeking Surge Support Staff in Richmond, CA to perform essential lab tasks under DHS requirements. You will handle samples, perform DNA extraction and real-time PCR, ensure QA/QC and GLP compliance, maintain CoC, and log results in lab systems with 24/7/365 readiness.

Minimum qualification: bachelor’s in microbiology or molecular biology, plus at least one year of bench experience; BSL-3 experience desirable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, molecular biology, or related field and at least 1 year of bench lab experience outside academics; PCR, aseptic techniques, and biological assays.
• Biological Safety Level (BSL)-3 experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Handle, receipt, and processing of samples potentially containing biological threat agents.
• Perform DNA extraction and real-time PCR to identify and characterize pathogens.
• Prepare reagents and samples.
• Maintain QA/QC and GLP compliance; ensure CoC.
• Data entry and log results in lab systems.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and calibration.
• Collect and analyze QA/QC samples for contamination monitoring.
• Properly dispose of bio-hazardous waste.
• Restock supplies and maintain inventory.
• Be available for 24/7/365 emergency reporting; holiday/work weekend required.

Skills

PCR

Aseptic techniques

QA/QC

Data entry

BSL-3 experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology or related field

Job description

Amentum Position Description: The Surge Support Staff shall perform, at a minimum, the following tasks and responsibilities in accordance with standard operating procedures:

Must be able to obtain/maintain a DHS Suitability security clearance

• Handling, receipt, and processing of operational, Quality Assurance, and/or special event samples potentially containing biological threat agents;
• Performing non-research biological science work utilizing microbiological and molecular techniques, which currently includes DNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) to identify and characterize pathogenic bacterial and viral agents (analytical methods and technologies may change over the life of the contract);
• Preparing reagents and samples;
• Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP);
• Decontamination of workspaces, including Biological safety cabinets, hoods/air boxes, equipment, and other items associated with processing and analysis activities;
• Maintaining chain-of-custody (CoC);
• Interpretation of results;
• Data entry utilizing computerized or computer-linked systems;
• Performing routine equipment calibration, cleaning, assembly, and maintenance;
• Collecting, processing, and analyzing internal laboratory swipes/swabs for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and contamination monitoring;
• Proper disposal of bio-hazardous waste;
• Restocking and maintaining proper inventory of necessary supplies;
• Adhering to QA/QC requirements in accordance with the Public Health Laboratory quality management systems and the BioWatch Laboratory Operations Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP);
• Maintaining documentation of records demonstrating compliance with applicable training/retraining, competencies, and document reviews;
• Proper archiving and storage of samples;
• Must be available to report to the lab 24/7/365 in case of emergency. Holiday and weekend work are required.

Position Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in microbiology, molecular biology, or related course work in biological sciences, and at least one (1) year of prior applicable laboratory bench experience required outside of an academic environment, utilizing PCR, aseptic techniques, and biological assays.
• Biological Safety Level (BSL)-3 experience is desirable.

Desired Qualifications

• Must be previously approved by the Public Health Laboratory and/or BioWatch Laboratory Lead to perform this work

Compensation Details:

$34.00

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

09/28/2026 - Until Filled

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.