Production Technician - Intake (Emeryville)

EarthOptics•Emeryville, CA

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Join EarthOptics as a Production Technician - Intake! 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. Our mission is to help farmers and ranchers sustainably increase their yields and feed the growing world through all things soil. We are a growing company with a passion for soil health, innovative technologies, and supporting all within the food value chain. We currently have ~100 individuals spread across 20 states and two countries, and they come from all walks of life, industries, and experiences. We are deeply focused on building the future of AgTech and sustainability and helping the world see soil differently. Our Production Technician - Intake will join our Emeryville, CA Lab team to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. As a Production Technician on our Intake team, you will be responsible for supporting the Emeryville laboratory by receiving, documenting, organizing, and routing incoming soil samples according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). This role is responsible for maintaining sample identity and traceability, identifying and escalating receiving issues, and ensuring samples are directed to the appropriate downstream workflow. During periods of lower intake volume, the technician will also support dry-soil processing and other laboratory production activities. This position requires accuracy, adaptability, and effective collaboration in a fast-paced, high-throughput environment. Regardless of the role, our team embraces learning, craves collaboration, and is driven by a fast-paced environment. If you resonate with our values and goals, we encourage you to apply—even if you don't meet every requirement. You could be the perfect fit for this role or future opportunities.

Requirements

High school diploma required.
1+ years of experience working in a manufacturing, production or other similar fast-paced environment.
Ability to accurately follow sample receiving, labeling, documentation, and routing procedures while maintaining sample traceability.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and accuracy in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to identify and escalate sample discrepancies, including damaged, mislabeled, or nonconforming samples.
Basic computer skills and experience with barcode scanners, label printers, and data entry.
Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to work independently when needed.
Ability to safely operate laboratory equipment and follow quality, safety, and regulatory procedures.
Comfort working with dusty soil samples, damaged packaging, regulated soil, and samples requiring special handling, with appropriate training and PPE.
While performing duties of this job, you will be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands.
Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
This job will be performed in a Lab environment; dress is casual and Protective Personal Equipment is supplied as well as lab coats.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor or transfer visas at this time.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a fast-paced, start-up environment
Prior experience working in a soil processing lab, environmental lab, production lab, or similar high-throughput environment.

Responsibilities

Receive, inspect, organize, and log incoming soil samples into the laboratory information system, ensuring accurate identification and traceability.
Sort, label, and route samples to the appropriate processing workflows while maintaining quality, chain of custody, and documentation standards.
Identify and resolve routine sample discrepancies, escalating complex issues and coordinating with laboratory, production, and project teams as needed.
Operate and maintain intake equipment, workspaces, and supplies while following all safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain an orderly intake queue and prioritize samples according to operational needs.
Support downstream soil processing activities, including drying, homogenization, subsampling, labeling, storage, and other production tasks to maintain efficient laboratory operations.
Support other laboratory and production activities as operational needs require.