Lab Technician Level 1

Job Summary

As a Lab Technician I, you are the foundation of our testing operation. You will receive and log incoming samples, prepare test specimens, run tests across our full test menu, and record the data that becomes our customers' deliverable.

This is an entry-level position and we provide all required training. You are not expected to know laboratory testing on day one. You are expected to show up ready to work, take direction well, and build real skill with intention. Training and day-to-day direction come from our experienced technicians and the Quality team. As you demonstrate competency on a test or activity and a member of Quality signs you off, you take that work on independently. Sign-off is earned through demonstrated ability — not handed out with time served.

Clear advancement exists for the right person. This seat leads to Lab Technician II or Quality Technician I.

What Matters Most in This Role

We can teach you how to run every test in the building. We cannot teach you these:

• Dedication. You show up, on time, every day, ready to go.
• Work ethic. You take on the task in front of you, including the unglamorous ones, and you finish it.
• Attention to detail. Accuracy in measurements, in documentation, in observations. A transposed digit or a blank field on a worksheet is a real problem for a real customer.
• Integrity. You record what actually happened, not what should have happened. You flag problems immediately instead of hoping nobody notices. Our accreditations depend on the honesty of every data point.

If those describe you, we will handle the rest.

Sample Receipt & Order Entry

• Receive incoming samples and verify they match the accompanying work order documentation.
• Log work order information into the laboratory management system: customer name, order number, sample count, required tests, and any special instructions.
• Assign unique identifiers to each sample and apply labels for full traceability through the testing process.
• Stage samples in designated receiving areas, organized by work order and priority.
• Immediately flag any discrepancy between sample condition and the work order — wrong quantity, damaged parts, missing specifications.

Sample Preparation

• Prepare test specimens by cutting, grinding, mounting, and polishing as required by the applicable test standard.
• Confirm sample preparation meets specification requirements before handoff: no defects, correct dimensions, proper surface condition.
• Prepare test panels for process qualification work including anodize, plating (electroless nickel, zinc, cadmium, chrome), and chemical film tank qualifications.
• Maintain organized staging of prepared samples linked to their work orders throughout the prep process.
• Keep prep areas, tools, and equipment clean and organized at all times.

Test Execution

• Perform tests according to industry standards (ASTM, AMS) and customer specifications.
• Work under direct guidance while learning each test.
• Once Quality has signed off on your competency for a specific test or activity, perform it independently going forward.
• Follow all specified conditions and parameters exactly, and flag deviations immediately.

Documentation & Data Recording

• Record all required data on the applicable test worksheet: sample ID, test parameters, equipment used, environmental conditions, start and stop times, and raw observations.
• Keep worksheets legible, complete, and accurate. No blank fields. No approximations without notation.
• Record data only — determinations are made by the Quality team, not at the Level I position.
• Report anomalies, parameter deviations, and unusual observations immediately, and document them on the worksheet.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

• Operate all lab equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer instructions.
• Clean and maintain assigned equipment after each use.
• Report equipment malfunctions, abnormal readings, or damage immediately.
• Assist with periodic function checks and support the calibration schedule as directed.

Safety & Lab Compliance

• Follow all safety protocols and PPE requirements without exception.
• Dispose of chemical waste according to established guidelines and applicable regulations.
• Report safety concerns, near misses, and incidents immediately.
• Maintain a clean, organized, hazard-free work environment at all times.

Schedule

Full-time, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. All testing technicians participate in a rotating weekend shift, distributed evenly across the technician group. Weekend coverage is scheduled in advance and coordinated by the General Manager.

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions precisely and consistently.
• Strong attention to detail — accuracy in measurements, documentation, and observations.
• Reliable attendance and willingness to participate in the rotating weekend shift.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, lift samples and equipment, and work in a laboratory environment.
• Basic computer proficiency for data entry and work order system use.
• Willingness to work with chemicals, acids, and laboratory solutions under proper PPE protocols.

Preferred

• Experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, or technical environment.
• Familiarity with ASTM or AMS standards — general awareness is a plus.
• Experience in metal finishing, plating, anodize, or aerospace.
• Any quality or laboratory certifications.

Skills

• Follow a written procedure exactly, every time, without shortcuts.
• Produce complete, legible, accurate records under a normal production workload.
• Recognize when something looks wrong and speak up about it immediately.
• Keep a workspace and equipment clean and organized without being asked.
• Ask good questions and seek to understand why a procedure exists, not just what it says.
• Work as part of a small team where reliability is visible and matters.

Experience

• Laboratory, manufacturing, or technical environment: not required — full training provided.
• Metal finishing, plating, anodize, or aerospace: preferred.
• Exposure to ASTM or AMS standards: preferred.

401(k) with Company Match

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Company-Paid Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)