Quality Assurance Lab Technician
Location: 3 Daughters Brewing: Saint Petersburg, FL
Reports To: Head Brewer
Type: Hourly
Overview:
The QA Lab Technician is responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of raw materials and finished products in the brewery through inspection, testing, and data analysis. This role involves maintaining a professional laboratory environment, performing microbiological and chemical analyses, and collaborating with brewery staff to support quality control, research, and development efforts. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, adept at multitasking, and committed to upholding safety and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Inspect, test, sample, sort, or weigh raw materials and processed products to ensure compliance with quality specifications.
- Operate and maintain precision laboratory instruments (e.g., pH meter, spectrophotometer, microscope, cellometer, lab centrifuge) for quality assurance testing.
- Perform microbiological testing using PCR and plating methods, including aseptic and environmental sampling throughout the brewery.
- Conduct yeast cell counts, viability assessments, and microscopic analysis of microbial growth.
- Prepare microbiological media and sterile plating for testing.
- Perform chemical and microbial analysis of water, wort, yeast, beer, and brewery environment.
- Monitor temperature and pressure at all production stages to ensure product consistency.
- Generate, compile, organize, and evaluate QA/QC data for brewing, fermentation, and cellaring processes.
- Enter and manage data in brewery software for brew logs, fermentation, cellar operations, and QA/QC records.
- Maintain laboratory functionality, ensuring proper inventory of materials, lab consumables, yeast, and quality samples.
- Collaborate with staff to ensure proper calibration and precision of brewing, cellaring, and laboratory equipment.
- Assist the Head Brewer with quality assurance, research and development (R&D), and recipe development.
- Problem-solve based on collected data to enhance product quality and consistency.
- Follow good manufacturing practices (GMP) and laboratory safety procedures when handling hazardous chemicals.
- Support cross-department tasks related to beer production and quality as needed.
- Participate in staff training to stay updated on industry best practices and quality standards.
- Contribute to research and product improvement initiatives for quality enhancement.
Qualifications:
- Experience in a laboratory setting, preferably in a brewery or related industry.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.) for data management and reporting.
- Familiarity with general laboratory instruments and techniques, including pH meters, spectrophotometers, microscopes, cellometers, serial dilutions, pipetting, aseptic techniques, and lab centrifuges.
- Knowledge of manufacturing, laboratory, and documentation practices.
- Ability to safely handle hazardous chemicals in compliance with safety standards.
- Strong multitasking skills with the ability to work independently on multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail.
- Commitment to meeting production, quality, and safety standards.
- Openness to cross-training and assisting with other brewery tasks related to production and quality.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with PCR testing and microbiological analysis in a brewery setting.
- Understanding of brewing processes and quality control principles.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to analyze data for quality improvement.
Work Environment:
- This role requires working in a laboratory and brewery environment, handling chemicals, and occasionally lifting moderate weights.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and work in varying temperatures (e.g., cold cellars, warm brewing areas).
To Apply:
Please submit fill out an application online at: https://3dbrewing.com/job_application/
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our team. Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be subject to change based on brewery needs.
