Lab Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Confidential – Lab Technician (Metals Testing / Heavy Industry)

Chicago, IL | $20–$25 / hr | 1st Shift | Direct Hire

A well-established industrial manufacturer with over 100 years in operation is seeking a Lab Technician to join their Quality team. This role is ideal for someone with hands-on lab or shop-floor testing experience who thrives in a heavy industrial environment (steel, metals, or machining). Unlike sterile or medical labs, this setting is dynamic, fast-paced, and offers exposure to advanced testing methods directly tied to production.

What’s in it for you :

Direct hire opportunity with full benefits and union membership

1st shift schedule (6 : 00 AM – 4 : 00 PM, flexibility available)

Overtime available (time-and-a-half + occasional Saturday work)

Competitive compensation : $20–$25 / hr depending on experience

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, PTO, 401(k) match, quarterly bonuses, and monthly company-paid lunches

Join a solid, experienced team in a company recognized globally for innovation and quality

Day-to-Day Responsibilities :

Perform material testing : tensile, impact, chemical analysis, grain size, microstructure, Jominy hardenability

Prepare and section test samples from production materials

Maintain logs, inventory of lab consumables, and ensure accurate documentation of test results

Support external lab testing when required

Perform basic maintenance on testing equipment (Mazak tooling, abrasive sand systems, band saws, tensile / impact machines)

Collaborate with Metallurgy and Quality teams to support production, trials, and failure analysis

What We’re Looking For :

High school diploma or GED

1+ years of experience in steel manufacturing, machining, or metals testing (not medical labs)

Familiarity with precision measurement tools and lab testing equipment

Ability to follow work instructions and document results (basic MS Office skills required)

Comfortable in a hands-on, industrial lab environment with overtime as needed

Experience with ISO 9001 quality systems is a plus

This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to apply their lab and testing skills in a heavy industrial environment and grow with a stable, well-managed company.