Job Description

QA Lab Technician I

Last Updated: 08/2026

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At Athletic Brewing, we are on a mission to revolutionize the beer industry and we are doing it with a team of doers. We move quickly, we hold a high bar, and we reward performance. We are a company of hard workers and dedicated professionals who take ownership, drive results, and want their impact to be visible.

We believe in merit, accountability, and earning opportunities through contribution. High performers grow here. If you are motivated by building, improving, and winning as a team, you will thrive at Athletic.

Through our products and our people, we believe we can positively impact health, activity, and opportunity in our communities. We actively seek representation from diverse backgrounds and experiences and are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve.

About the Role

Athletic Brewing Company’s Quality team is committed to the highest standards of quality and innovation both inside and outside our walls. Quality is required and is reflected in everything we do: from lab testing and documentation, to interpretation and communication. Integrity is required through accurate and timely data collection, clear communication of out-of-spec results, adherence to GMPs and SOPs, and maintaining confidentiality of company processes.

Collaboration and inclusion are necessary as this role partners with teams across brewing, packaging, food safety, and other departments through sensory evaluations, shared observations, and communication of lab results. We share knowledge, and contribute to a safe, respectful, and productively organized environment where all team members can directly contribute to achieving our shared goals.

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs daily analysis- cell counts, cell viability, ABV, gravity, pH.
• Inputs lab data into the appropriate Smartsheet in a timely and accurate manner.
• Analyze and record TPO/DO/CO2 and fill level semi-hourly. Communicate out of spec deviations to supervisor, Packaging Operators & Leadership.
• Accurately perform color analysis to ensure consistent SRM values and trends.
• Perform daily validation checks on Alcolyzer.
• Ensures daily calibration and upkeep of all pH meters by using the standard buffers and cleaning solution.

• Performs weekly deep cleaning, preventative maintenance and calibration of the CBoxQC, TPO Tower and Alcolyzer.
• Media is prepared and forecasted weekly for micro needs.
• Help the sensory team facilitate daily Sensory panels with all departments, including Draughtlab Pro.
• Organize and manage the cold and ambient beer libraries. Two 6 packs from every production run are properly labeled and stored. Old inventory is disposed of after 13 months.
• Writes and sends out the Lab EOS on a daily basis if required
• Maintains overall cleanliness, upkeep and organization of the entire lab and follows personnel GMP's.
• Maintains a professional, positive, productive, solution driven, can-do attitude.
• Consistently professional, positive, productive, and solution driven. Pro-actively looks for new projects and opportunities to improve internal and external departmental processes. Displays qualities of a team player and leadership. Always operates with positive intent, is trustworthy, and understanding to others.
• Performs package integrity testing.
• Able to consistently perform micro plating and reporting.
• Ability to operate a NIBEM
• Ability to review and complete process deviation
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Desired Experience/ Traits

Who You Are:

• Personal curiosity in improving systems
• Desire to have a positive impact on customers
• Skilled listener, great verbal and written communication
• Passion, Integrity, Honesty, Dependability, Attention to detail
• Independent operator - disciplined and self-driven
• Ability to execute multiple projects
• Team-oriented and results driven with a commitment to quality
• Experience with Excel/ Google sheet

Skills and Experience:

• BS in Biology, Chemistry, Food Science or equivalent degree preferred
• Minimum 1 year work experience/internship in brewery/food production QA
• Cellar/Brewhouse work experience also preferred
• Basic microbiological lab proficiency (media production, plating, interpreting results, aseptic technique)
• Working knowledge of basic lab equipment (pipettes, microscope,...)

Job Details:

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Salary: Commensurate with experience - Starting rate: $27.50
• Benefits: Company-paid health, vision, dental, life, 401k with 5% company match, and Paid Parental Leave
• Community Program: In addition to Paid Time Off, all team members receive one paid day per month to dedicate to volunteering activities.
• We value internal mobility and team equity.
• We are an equal opportunity employer – we thrive when we champion diversity and inclusion. We are welcoming, respectful, and supportive at work and in our community.
• We encourage and welcome members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Frequent use of hands to handle, feel, and operate equipment and tools.
• Regularly lift, move, and/or carry up to 50 pounds without assistance; occasional lifts up to 85 pounds may be required.
• Ability to work on feet for extended periods, often for the duration of a shift.
• Work in a production environment with varying temperatures, noise levels, and exposure to wet or slippery surfaces.
• May be required to climb ladders, work at heights, and navigate tight or confined spaces.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to wear and use required personal protective equipment (PPE) as determined by the hazard assessment, including eye and face protection, protective footwear, hearing protection, and hand protection, for the duration of the shift, as applicable.
• Ability to recognize and respond to instructions and alert signals in the work environment.