About This Career

Conducts tests to determine quality of raw materials, bulk intermediate and finished products. May conduct stability sample tests.

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics cluster Science and Mathematics pathway.

A person in this career:

• Conducts routine and non-routine analyses of in-process materials, raw materials, environmental samples, finished goods, or stability samples.
• Interprets test results, compares them to established specifications and control limits, and makes recommendations on appropriateness of data for release.
• Calibrates, validates, or maintains laboratory equipment.
• Performs visual inspections of finished products.
• Ensures that lab cleanliness and safety standards are maintained.
• Completes documentation needed to support testing procedures, including data capture forms, equipment logbooks, or inventory forms.
• Compiles laboratory test data and performs appropriate analyses.
• Identifies and troubleshoots equipment problems.
• Writes technical reports or documentation, such as deviation reports, testing protocols, and trend analyses.
• Investigates or reports questionable test results.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel