Title: Lab Tech - Quality Department

Position: Full Time

Location: Dragoon Brewing Company

Compensation: Hourly Rate, Holiday Pay, Sick Leave, Vacation (after 1 year), and Healthcare, Vision, and Dental Insurance Programs. Other benefits include beer perks, PPE stipend, and yearly bonuses based on company performance.

Reports to: Head Brewer

Company summary

Dragoon Brewing Co. is a small, independent brewery located in Tucson, Arizona. We are dedicated to the safety of our employees and customers; the quality and consistency of our products; involvement and leadership in our local and greater beer communities; and upholding the highest level of service to our customers and business partners.

Job overview

The Lab Tech reports to the Head Brewer. They are responsible for working with the rest of the production team to continuously improve product quality and workflow through monitoring, measurement, analysis and testing. Specific areas of focus will include microbiological stability, yeast enumeration and health, chemical/physical consistency and stability, sensory analysis, and process consistency.

Desired qualities

We’re looking for a self-motivated individual that also works well as part of a team. The right candidate will have a combination of prior related laboratory experience, brewery experience and/or microbiology/chemical engineering education. They will also be able to demonstrate that they are detail-oriented, thorough, and dedicated to quality. The successful candidate will need to keep the safety of themselves and their co-workers a top priority.

Job description

● Implement daily/weekly sensory program and periodic sensory training

● Weekly package/draft chemical & physical analysis

○ IBU, SRM, ABV

○ Additional chemical & Physical analyses (VDK, Foam, etc)

● Daily/weekly Cell counting/viability

● Weekly data analysis and reporting

● Provide feedback to production team regarding analytical results

● Assisting of microbiological screening program (FV, BBT, Cans)

● Executing ASBC quality analytical methods

● Executing manufacturer analytical methods

● Adapting existing methods to work in our laboratory environment

● Support production team with other tasks as needed

Essential Functions:

● Regular and predictable on-site job attendance

● Eligible for some off-site/remote work

● Managing unscheduled and scheduled tasks

● Physical activity including but not limited to:

○ Standing for long periods of time

○ Squatting/crouching

○ Bending/Kneeling

○ Twisting

○ Lifting up to 60 lbs unassisted and up to 160 lbs assisted

○ Manually manipulating parts, pumps and hoses

○ Pushing and pulling heavy loads

● Access, input, and retrieve information from a computer

● Perform computational functions using pivot tables, databases and other software

● Operating packaging and cleaning equipment

● Handling hazardous chemicals

● Teamwork

● Occasionally working in isolation

● Working in hot and cold temperatures

● Working on uneven surfaces

● Working in wet conditions

● Repetitive movements

● Working under time pressure

● Encountering frequent interruptions

● Using effective written and verbal communication