Microbiologist (Food Testing)
Carson, CAFull-time$21/hrPosted 1w agoStill listed 3 days ago
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At a glance
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Job overview
The Microbiologist I works in a laboratory environment, handling samples and performing analyses according to operating procedures and test methods. The role maintains and verifies equipment, reports deficiencies or malfunctions, keeps quality records, and documents nonconformities. The position requires a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related field, or commercial laboratory experience, and includes use of laboratory instruments and computer systems.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Company Description
We are SGS – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 99,600 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
Job Description
This job operates in a lab environment with equipment such as analytical balances, food homogenization equipment, pipetting tools, incubators, water baths, plate readers, various commercial protein and DNA based technologies for food pathogen detection (VIDAS, BAX, GDS, GeneUp, BioRAd), spectrophotometer, VITEK Microbial Identification System, basic wet chemistry equipment for analysis of moisture, protein, fat, ash, salt.
- Handles samples and performs analyses according to Operating Procedures and test methodology
- Maintains and verifies equipment
- Reports deficiencies or malfunction to the supervisor
- Maintains records of all quality activities as documented in Operating Procedures and test methods
- Identifies and records nonconformities on Corrective Action Requests.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree in Microbiology or related field or commercial laboratory experience - Required
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Language Skills: English
- Mathematical Skills: Basic level of knowledge
- Reasoning Skills/Abilities: Basic level
ADDITIONAL KSAS
- Proficient Computer Skills
- Computer Skills: Basic use of Microsoft Office 365 Suite required, experience with LIMS system
EQUIPMENT
- This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
- Regularly operates laboratory equipment such as analytical balances, food homogenization equipment, pipetting tools, incubators, water baths, plate readers, various commercial protein and DNA based technologies for food pathogen detection (VIDAS, BAX, GDS, GeneUp, BioRAd), spectrophotometer, VITEK Microbial Identification System.
Job Title: Microbiologist I Location: Carson, CA Schedule: Monday to Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., with the potential for occasional weekend shifts based on business needs. Compensation The expected salary range for this position is $21/hour. This range represents the minimum and maximum base salary we reasonably expect to pay for this role. Actual compensation within the range will depend on skills, experience, and qualifications. Our Benefits We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role.
- Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, employee assistance programs.
- Wealth: In addition to base pay, we offer 401(k) with company match (immediate vesting upon enrollment).
- Happiness:• Professional Growth: Online training courses, virtual and classroom development experiences, tuition reimbursement program
- Work-Life Balance: Paid-time off and family leave
Additional Information
SGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such we recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristics protected by law. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts the company’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. If you are applying for a position within the United States and you have difficulty completing the on-line employment application because of a disability, please call 201-508-3149 for assistance and leave a message. You will receive a call back. Please note, this phone number is not for general employment information, but is only for individuals who are experiencing difficulty applying for a position due to a disability.
How this job compares
Set against the 2,140 open Laboratory Technician jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 8, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$21/hr
- California median$25–29/hr114 hourly ranges
- US median$22–26/hr1,031 hourly ranges
This rate, $21/hr, is 23% below the California median midpoint ($27/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Laboratory Technician hourly ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 164 open Laboratory Technician jobs in California and 2,140 across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- Actalent20 open
- University of Southern California13 open
- Gilead Sciences, Inc.9 open
- Experience
- Laboratory Technician postings that state a minimum ask for 1 year of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 2 years (878 postings).
- Education
- 277 of the 2,140 open Laboratory Technician jobs (13%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 8, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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