At Deschutes Brewery, we unapologetically make award-winning, damn tasty beer. We are determined to innovate, challenge the status quo, and be thought leaders at every turn. Our company culture bonds us together and creates conditions for success. It is lived daily as a behavioral expression of our collective set of core values: Love It or Dump It, One Team One Dream, Blow Our Customers' Minds, Time for Better Is Now, Celebrate, Crafted for Community and Own It! If you are on our team, it means you are part of creating something extraordinary. You're part of Deschutes.

We are currently recruiting for a Quality Assurance (QA) Laboratory Technician. The anticipated schedule for this role is four, 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday 5pm - 3:30am, and may need to flex their schedule to other days/times occasionally to meet production demands. Compensation is based on previous experience and starts at $20.44 per hour depending on previous experience, skills and education/certifications. This position offers a career path up to $30.93/hour for our employees who successfully complete our internal training program to become a Quality Assurance Analyst and along with several years of experience working with us. Additionally, we offer a $3.00 per hour shift differential for any hours worked between 6pm and 6am and additional opportunities for wage increases are also associated with cross-training, specialty certifications/licenses and promotional opportunities. The QA Lab Technician is responsible for conducting lab operations to support brewing, packaging and warehouse production of our damn tasty beer. Examples of lab operations include, but are not limited to:

• Beer analysis to determine alcohol content, total package oxygen, etc.
• Microbiological tasks
• Auditing packaging line operations and working with operators to take immediate corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain and manage sensory samples and sensory library
• Preventative maintenance and troubleshooting equipment
• General housekeeping in all areas the Quality team is responsible

What You'll be Doing:

• As a member of the Deschutes Brewery Quality team you will learn multiple skills from well qualified co-owners and be able to apply that knowledge to your problem-solving teams, troubleshooting efforts and daily work.
• You will be working in a fast paced, team environment where you will be working with minimal supervision and operating under GMP and Food Safety rules. Training provided!
• Your daily work may include, but is not limited to:
  • Conduct packaging line quality control checks, including container integrity checks, beer quality checks and packaging line audits.
  • Operate packaging inspection equipment on the packaging lines.
  • Operate, calibrate, and maintain portable quality control equipment.
  • Operate lab equipment: Beer analyzer, gas chromatograph and Orbisphere
  • Beer analysis: International Bittering Units measurements, wort color, etc.
  • Perform microbiology tasks such as media preparation, sample plating, equipment sterilization, etc.
  • Maintain sample collection and beer library.
  • Communicate and report product nonconformities.
  • Support production schedule timeline with timely tank releases to packaging and start up checks for each production line
• Support Deschutes Brewery strategic initiatives and goals
• Additional job duties will change as needed to cover Quality Team operations and all internal and external customer needs.
• Other duties as assigned

What You'll need for this Position:

• Four-year college degree in Fermentation/Food Science or related disciplines OR at least 3 years of related manufacturing and/or lab experience OR a combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to meet the position requirements.
• Success working in a team environment, working with diverse personality and communication styles
• Ability to work independently and effective time management skills
• Solid written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Packaging / Brewing
• Experience in a team-based production environment
• General lab experience
• Computer proficiency with Excel, Word, and Outlook

Just some of the awesome perks of working for Deschutes Brewery:

• Awesome co-workers!
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, active after 30 days
• 401k Match of 4% vested immediately!
• 2 weeks paid vacation, 1 week sick leave, and paid holidays
• "On Demand Pay" (get your money when you need it) available through DailyPay
• Employee stock ownership - be a part owner of Deschutes Brewery!
• Pro deals with local companies
• Deschutes Brewery and Boneyard merchandise and food discounts
• Uniform stipend
• Keg discounts
• Free beer!

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact HR@deschutesbrewery.com to discuss your application.