R&D Laboratory Technician

Job Title: R&D Laboratory Technician

Job Description

The R&D Laboratory Technician supports product development, sensory evaluation, and day-to-day laboratory operations in a first-shift, MondayFriday schedule. This role works closely with Flavorists and other chemists to prepare, apply, and evaluate raw materials and finished flavors, contributing directly to strategic product initiatives and customer projects.

Responsibilities

• Gather and organize raw materials to compound formulas according to specific project requirements and laboratory standards.

• Assist Flavorists with creative ideation and product development, contributing to new flavor concepts and applications.

• Apply flavors to finished products for tasting and evaluation, ensuring accurate preparation and consistent application methods.

• Set up and execute lab-level sensory testing, including sample preparation, panel organization, and documentation of results.

• Perform basic quality control testing and data review, including measurements such as refractive index, specific gravity, total alcohol, total aldehyde, acid and acid values.

• Operate and support analytical equipment such as UV/Vis spectrophotometers and gas chromatography (GC) instruments under established procedures.

• Manage laboratory inventory by tracking materials, organizing stock, and assisting with inventory control processes.

• Maintain laboratory equipment and work areas, following strict safety, sanitation, GLP, and GMP standards.

• Support lab operations by sampling products, labeling, and recording test data accurately in laboratory systems.

• Assist with customer meetings and trade shows by preparing samples, presentations, and supporting materials.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams by communicating project updates, timelines, and test results clearly and professionally.

• Apply solid math skills to perform formulas, calculations, and metric conversions required for compounding and testing.

• Use PC skills to enter data, maintain records, and prepare basic reports related to lab activities and project progress.

• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making skills to address laboratory issues and support continuous improvement.

• Manage time effectively to handle multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Work as a team player, showing flexibility and adaptability when moving between lab work and production floor activities.

• Follow all safety guidelines and physical requirements, including occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds and safely handling chemicals and materials.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

• 12 or more college credits in a relevant field OR a minimum of 4 years of laboratory experience.

• Demonstrated experience in food manufacturing, food safety, or commercial kitchen environments.

• Proven ability to follow Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

• Basic cooking skills applicable to flavor preparation and product applications.

• Solid math skills, including working with formulas and performing metric conversions.

• Strong PC skills for data entry, documentation, and basic report preparation.

• Ability to perform basic quality control testing and data review.

• Familiarity with chemistry concepts relevant to flavor and food applications.

• Effective problem-solving, time management, and decision-making abilities.

• Strong teamwork skills and flexibility to support various lab and production activities.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with cross-functional teams and documenting results.

• Physical ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds in a laboratory and production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelors degree in a related field is preferred.

• Experience with sensory evaluation and sampling techniques in a lab or food environment.

• Background in quality assurance or quality control processes.

• Hands-on experience with UV/Vis or UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

• Exposure to gas chromatography (GC) and related analytical methods.

• Understanding of measurements such as refractive index, specific gravity, total alcohol, total aldehyde, and acid values.

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills for managing inventory and maintaining accurate records.

• Comfort working in both laboratory and production floor settings.

• Enthusiasm for learning new flavor technologies and supporting product innovation.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily in a laboratory setting on a MondayFriday, first-shift schedule. You will work alongside chemists and Flavorists in a collaborative environment that emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and adherence to GLP and GMP standards. The position requires periodic work on the production floor to support applications, sampling, and product evaluations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Abingdon, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $24.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Abingdon, MD.

Application Deadline

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

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Abingdon,MD.

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 [email protected] 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.