Lab Technician (Life Science)

Job Title: Lab Technician

Job Description

The Lab Technician will perform a broad range of laboratory operation, including quality control testing, research and development support, and color matching. This role offers significant variety beyond a traditional QC-only position, providing hands-on experience in paint appearance and physical properties testing, formulation support, and technical troubleshooting. The Lab Technician will work closely with a small, collaborative technical team to ensure coating batches meet internal standards and customer requirements while supporting the development and documentation of quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform laboratory operations related to paint and coatings, including appearance and physical properties testing to support quality control and product development.

• Conduct laboratory tests such as viscosity, adhesion, color, appearance, and other physical property measurements to evaluate paint and coating performance.

• Execute quality control testing of paint batches to verify they meet internal specifications and customer requirements.

• Learn and apply dispensing processes to safely and effectively use various paint application and blending tools, including spray guns and other coating application equipment.

• Assist with research and development projects, including color matching, formulation support, and product performance testing.

• Support the development, implementation, and documentation of quality assurance procedures and processes for coatings and related products.

• Maintain accurate and organized laboratory documentation, including test records, regulatory records, and instrument calibration logs.

• Collaborate closely with the technical team to troubleshoot products and resolve issues with coating batches, contributing to continuous improvement of product performance.

• Participate in quality systems and documentation activities to ensure compliance with internal standards and customer expectations.

• Engage in ongoing learning across quality control, paint and coatings testing, color matching, R&D, and technical troubleshooting to expand technical ownership over time.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific field is required.

• Degrees in Chemistry, Materials Science, Biochemistry, Biology, Math, or a related scientific discipline are preferred.

• 02 years of laboratory experience are preferred, including academic, internship, or industry experience.

• Ability to perform physical property testing such as viscosity, adhesion, color, and appearance measurements.

• Capability to follow established laboratory procedures and quality control methods accurately and consistently.

• Strong attention to detail for maintaining precise laboratory documentation, regulatory records, and calibration logs.

• Ability to learn and safely operate paint dispensing, blending, and coating application equipment, including spray guns.

• Effective collaboration skills to work closely with a small technical team in a laboratory environment.

• Motivated, hands-on, self-starter mindset with the ability to handle variety and manage multiple tasks in the lab.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with quality systems, quality assurance procedures, and documentation practices is an advantage.

• Interest in research and development, product performance testing, and technical troubleshooting.

• Desire and ability to grow into higher-level laboratory or quality roles over time.

• Comfort working in a small, collaborative, family-owned organization where individuals wear multiple hats.

Work Environment

This role is 100% onsite in Shakopee, Minnesota, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position is part of a small, collaborative, family-owned organization and a five-person technical team, providing significant exposure to different areas of the laboratory. Team members work closely together across technical projects, quality systems, and troubleshooting activities. As employees develop, they have the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities, expand their technical ownership, and progress into higher-level laboratory or quality roles. The company emphasizes a quality work environment that supports employee development and fosters mutual respect among co-workers, customers, and suppliers. Employees receive comprehensive benefits, including annual 401K Safe Harbor contributions, 401K profit sharing, salary increases, and bonuses that together can add a significant percentage to base compensation.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Shakopee, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $25.00/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 Shakopee, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 25, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Shakopee,MN.

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.