Quality Control Technician

About the role

This contract Quality Control Technician role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic chemical production laboratory, performing final product release testing across multiple product lines. You will focus on wet chemistry, gas chromatography (GC), viscosity, and color testing in a production lab setting, ensuring that finished products meet established quality standards. The position runs through the end of the year with the potential for extension, and provides extensive cross-training across three distinct laboratories and product lines.

Responsibilities

• Perform final product quality control testing (no development testing) to support release of finished chemical products.
• Conduct wet chemistry analyses including titrations, auto-titrator operations, sizing, and visual color testing in accordance with established methods.
• Run gas chromatography (GC) analyses and interpret results for multiple product lines.
• Measure and record viscosity, loss on heating (LOH), specific gravity, and melting point for various materials.
• Follow detailed written test methods accurately from start to finish, ensuring consistency and reliability of results.
• Toggle between three different laboratories and product lines, adapting to varying procedures and requirements.
• Support testing of a legacy rubber tire additive product used as an anti-ozone stabilizer, including associated staining and dark-color material handling.
• Participate in highly specific and complex testing processes for sulfur-based oil additive products (P2S5) after thorough training, maintaining high levels of accuracy.
• Enter samples into Sample Manager, record test results in Sample Manager, and ensure final results are transferred accurately into SAP.
• Maintain a strong focus on accuracy and precision, particularly in the oil additive division where testing is highly involved.
• Collaborate with team members to cross-train on all product lines so that you can eventually run tests across all three labs.
• Adhere to all laboratory safety protocols and handle concentrated chemical materials responsibly.
• Support continuous improvement by learning new methods, refining procedures, and adapting to evolving technologies and equipment.

Requirements

• Core science degree (such as chemistry or a related discipline).
• Hands-on laboratory experience gained through academic coursework or industry roles.
• Practical experience in wet chemistry techniques, including titration and use of auto-titrators.
• Experience working in a lab environment with chemicals and analytical procedures.
• Ability to operate gas chromatography (GC) equipment or strong familiarity with GC principles.
• Capability to follow detailed analytical methods precisely and consistently.
• Comfort working with concentrated chemical materials and oily substances.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially in complex and highly specific testing.
• Proficiency in basic data entry and record-keeping in laboratory information systems.
• Adaptability to move between different labs, product lines, and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Analytical chemistry or coursework.
• Experience with quality control testing in a production or manufacturing laboratory.
• Familiarity with gas chromatography, titration, and other analytical chemistry techniques.
• Understanding of laboratory workflows involving oil additives, rubber additives, or chlorine-based products.
• Comfort working in a non-pharmaceutical production lab environment that may not be sterile but is well maintained.
• Openness to learning complex, highly specific testing methods and new technologies as equipment is updated.
• Ability to thrive in a versatile environment supporting diverse customers and product lines.
• Willingness to discuss fit if holding an advanced degree; strong preference for candidates without a Master’s degree, but open to consideration based on experience and working style.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Accuracy and precision.
• Data entry proficiency.
• Lab safety knowledge.
• Adaptability and cross-training ability.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Benefits

If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision coverage.
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital coverage.
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents).
• Short and long-term disability coverage.
• Health Spending Account (HSA).
• Transportation benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).

Pay and Schedule

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

Schedule

This is a Contract position based out of Sauget, IL.

Work Environment

You will work in a production laboratory environment within a chemical manufacturing facility that supports multiple product lines and diverse customers. The plant is spread out, but samples are brought up to the lab, so you typically will not need to go out into the plant areas. The lab itself is divided into different zones, including a cubicle area and several production labs. These labs are not pharmaceutical-grade cleanrooms, but they are well maintained and organized. Some equipment is new while other instruments are in the process of being updated, providing exposure to both established and evolving technologies. The work involves handling concentrated chemical materials and oily substances, and some products, such as sulfur-based oil additives, have strong odors. Individuals who are highly sensitive to smells may find this environment challenging. Uniforms are provided, and you will have access to locker rooms and changing areas, as staining and dark-colored materials are common when working with certain products.

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.