Production Technician - Carbon (Emeryville)

About the role

Join EarthOptics as a Production Technician! Our mission is to be the leading soil information company, delivering maps that growers, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders use to cost-effectively increase yields and improve soil health and the climate. We are creating a future where traditional sampling methods are obsolete. At EarthOptics, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain.

Responsibilities

• Support routine soil processing tasks in the lab, including sample preparation, basic testing workflows, and data entry
• Learn and follow EarthOptics’ standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and equipment operation guidelines
• Receive, sort, label, package, store, and track soil samples according to established lab procedures
• Operate basic lab and production equipment, such as ovens, soil grinders, vacuum sealers, scales, and related tools, in accordance with SOPs
• Maintain clean, safe, organized, and compliant production spaces
• Complete routine documentation accurately and consistently to support sample tracking and production records
• Work closely with lab staff and primary operators to support timely and accurate sample handling
• Absorb and assist with FTIR and Elemental Analyzer workflows as directed and under appropriate guidance

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent relevant work experience required
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced production or laboratory environment
• Demonstrated reliability through consistent attendance, punctuality, and dependability
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately and consistently
• Ability to follow SOPs, work instructions, and established laboratory protocols with precision
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain professional, respectful relationships with team members across functions
• Flexibility to work varying schedules, including occasional after-hours and weekend support as business needs require
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and commitment to following safety policies including the proper use of PPE
• Comfortable handling soil, soil slurry, and other lab materials throughout daily workflows
• Ability to safely operate common laboratory equipment and hand tools
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to perform simple equipment or hardware troubleshooting
• Familiarity with LIMS or other laboratory sample tracking systems
• Prior experience working in a soil processing lab, environmental lab, production lab, or similar high-throughput environment
• Prior experience with soil grinding, texture workflows, MIR plating, carbon sample preparation, or related sample processing tasks
• Prior experience working with environmental samples, especially soil samples
• Prior experience in a fast-paced start-up or production environment

What you’ll cultivate as a Production Technician

As a Production Technician at our Emeryville, CA lab, you will be responsible for performing daily soil processing tasks according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). You will ensure safe, efficient, and compliant handling of samples and basic analytical equipment. This role requires the ability to consistently follow provided operating procedures, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and collaboration with coworkers to support sustainable and data-driven agricultural practices.

Are you our soil-mate?

You’ll bloom in this role if you have:

• High school diploma or equivalent relevant work experience required
• Ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced production or laboratory environment
• Demonstrated reliability through consistent attendance, punctuality, and dependability
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to perform repetitive tasks accurately and consistently
• Ability to follow SOPs, work instructions, and established laboratory protocols with precision
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain professional, respectful relationships with team members across functions
• Flexibility to work varying schedules, including occasional after-hours and weekend support as business needs require
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices and commitment to following safety policies including the proper use of PPE
• Comfortable handling soil, soil slurry, and other lab materials throughout daily workflows
• Ability to safely operate common laboratory equipment and hand tools
• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to perform simple equipment or hardware troubleshooting
• Familiarity with LIMS or other laboratory sample tracking systems
• Prior experience working in a soil processing lab, environmental lab, production lab, or similar high-throughput environment
• Prior experience with soil grinding, texture workflows, MIR plating, carbon sample preparation, or related sample processing tasks
• Prior experience working with environmental samples, especially soil samples
• Prior experience in a fast-paced start-up or production environment