Lab Technician

Job Title: Lab Technician

Job Description

This Lab Technician role combines hands-on laboratory work with active involvement on the production floor in an industrial plating and manufacturing environment. You will support lab waste treatment, perform basic wet chemistry and titration testing, and analyze how changes in chemistry impact product quality and process performance. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys process improvement, wants to grow long term, and is comfortable working both in the lab and in a fast-paced, industrial setting rather than a traditional "white lab coat" research lab.

Responsibilities

• Operate and support the waste treatment facility, ensuring safe and compliant handling of process waste streams.
• Perform basic wet chemistry, including titrations, pH testing and adjustment, metal precipitation, and polymer dosing and pumping.
• Analyze chemistry test results and determine appropriate bath and process adjustments to maintain optimal performance and product quality.
• Communicate clear, actionable recommendations to production staff based on laboratory findings and process analysis.
• Regularly walk the production floor to observe product quality, monitor process performance, and connect lab results to real-time operations.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements by linking chemical conditions to production outcomes and recommending changes.
• Partner with internal teams and external chemical supplier representatives to analyze data and optimize plating and finishing processes.
• Support quality control and quality assurance activities by providing timely and accurate lab data and documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting and helping implement changes that enhance efficiency, consistency, and product performance.
• Develop a deeper understanding of the production side over time, expanding from lab and waste treatment responsibilities into broader process improvement work.
• Take an active, hands-on role in learning new tools, techniques, and equipment used in plating, finishing, and chemical process operations.
• Grow into higher-level responsibilities as your skills and understanding of the processes and facility increase.

Essential Skills

• Experience working as a lab technician, in waste treatment, plating, process technician roles, or in a similar industrial or laboratory environment.
• Basic chemistry knowledge with the ability to perform and interpret wet chemistry tests and titrations.
• Strong interest in process improvement and a desire to use data and observations to enhance product quality and process performance.
• Comfort working in an industrial manufacturing setting, not solely in a traditional laboratory environment.
• Effective communication skills to explain findings and recommendations to production staff and other stakeholders.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to connect lab data, process conditions, and production outcomes.
• Willingness to work in a hands-on capacity and spend meaningful time on the production floor.
• Openness to learning and training, with the mindset and aptitude to grow from a more junior level into broader responsibilities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Exposure to atomic absorption, x-ray measurement, or similar analytical tools.
• Experience in metal finishing, plating, or chemical process operations.
• Chemistry education or coursework is preferred, particularly for candidates interested in applying practical chemistry in an industrial environment.
• Balanced interest in applied, hands-on work rather than purely research-focused roles.
• Motivation to build a long-term career with opportunities to expand from lab and waste treatment into process optimization and continuous improvement.
• Hands-on, proactive approach and genuine interest in learning the production side of the operation.
• Capacity to grow into higher-level responsibilities as skills, knowledge, and experience develop over time.

Work Environment

This role is based in an industrial plating and manufacturing environment rather than a traditional office or research lab. You will split your time between the lab and the production floor, performing basic chemistry analysis and then walking the floor to observe product quality and monitor how process changes impact output. The workday schedule is Monday through Friday, approximately 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the environment is hands-on, fast-paced, and collaborative. You will interact regularly with lab staff, production employees, facility leadership, and outside chemical representatives. The setting involves typical industrial conditions, including active production lines and plating operations, and is best suited to someone who is comfortable being visible on the floor, wearing appropriate industrial attire and protective equipment, and playing an active role in improving processes rather than remaining solely at the lab bench.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Ypsilanti, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $27.00/hr.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Ypsilanti,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 28, 2026.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.