Lab Technician Jobs in Virginia

Quality Lab Technician
Amsted Rail – Petersburg, VA | Quality| Schedule: M-F Days| Starting Pay Range: $22-$26

Amsted Rail Company, a global leader in freight rail solutions and an Amsted Industries business, is a 100% employee-owned company. Amsted Rail Petersburg is a global leader in tapered roller bearings and precision sealing solutions. We offer stability, growth, and the opportunity to make a real impact on our industries and communities. As part of one of the top employee-owned companies in the U.S., team members benefit directly from our success through annual stock awards, competitive pay, and strong benefits.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Quality Lab Technician is responsible for performing inspection, measurement, and laboratory testing activities in conformance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements. This role manages dimensional, metallurgical, physical, visual, destructive, and nondestructive testing and ensures accurate documentation, data traceability, and timely communication of results, including identification and reporting of nonconformances in accordance with established standards, procedures, and quality plans. The Quality Lab Technician supports continuous improvement initiatives, maintains laboratory equipment and work areas, and works collaboratively with Quality, Operations, Engineering, and other departments to maintain compliance with safety, quality, and industry standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To accomplish this job successfully, the candidate must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all plant wide safety, ergonomics, and environmental requirements as defined company health and safety programs.
• Follow applicable standards, procedures, quality plans, and laboratory requirements to ensure compliant inspection and testing activities.
• Maintain proper sample, material, and data traceability in accordance with laboratory and quality requirements.
• Use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adhere to safe work practices during all inspection, testing, and material handling activities including the use of various chemicals required for testing activities.

Inspection & Verification

• Perform process and final inspections as required by the quality procedures and plans.
• Verify product conformance to specifications through inspection of supplier, in‑process, and finished product samples.
• Interpret engineering drawings, diagrams, and specifications to determine compliance.
• Compare products using templates, samples, color charts, and visual standards to ensure conformance.
• Certify materials for chemical composition according to established requirements.
• Maintain and administer duties for quality related databases, software, and electronic data files.
• Calibrate and control masters for release to the production team.

Measurement, Testing & Analysis

• Operate, maintain, and assist in troubleshooting precision measurement testing equipment—including but not limited to calipers, micrometers, comparators, bench gages, CMMs, roundness testers, hardness testers, microscopes, spectrometers, and x-ray diffractometers efficiently and accurately.
• Set up and maintain master parts and gage blocks for inspection processes.
• Validate instruments and perform routine testing to ensure accurate and reproducible measurement results.
• Conduct dimensional, metallurgical, physical, optical, and destructive and non‑destructive testing in accordance with applicable standards and procedures.
• Prepare, create, and process samples from suppliers, manufacturing production runs, and finished products for testing.
• Collect, analyze, calculate, and document test data to assess product conformity.
• Assist with Statistical Process Control (SPC) activities and root cause analysis.

Documentation & Recordkeeping

• Accurately document, analyze, and report inspection and test results in accordance with established quality procedures and plans.
• Enter, maintain, and retrieve quality and test data in SAP and other quality databases or systems.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, logs, and reports, including documentation of non‑conformances.
• Support the development, use, and adherence to test procedures, protocols, and work instructions.

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate inspection results, test findings, and quality concerns with Quality, Operations, Engineering, suppliers, and other departments.
• Mentor and assist production personnel in understanding dimensional, functional, and quality expectations.
• Participate in meetings and provide feedback related to quality issues, testing results, and process performance.
• Work effectively with all levels and functions of the organization to support corrective action and continuous improvement initiatives.

Operational Support

• Perform basic equipment operation and material‑handling tasks as assigned.
• Set up, calibrate, clean, adjust, maintain, and operate laboratory, gaging, and inspection equipment to ensure proper function and accuracy.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready work area.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED) or Equivalent Experience
• Basic math and analytical skills to include averages, percentages, standard deviations, metric conversions, and interpretation of graphs
• Demonstrated basic understanding of computer operations
• Experience with MS Office programs
• Experience using computer driven applications such as spreadsheets and Statistical Process Control (SPC) databases
• Additional technical courses/seminars in job related subjects a plus

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug (including THC) & background screening
• Lift, push & pull 10 to 50 lbs. regularly
• Wear department required, employer provided, personal protection equipment (PPE)
• Be able to regularly stand and move throughout the department and shift
• Prior industrial experience a plus

Why Choose Amsted Rail Petersburg?

• Employee Ownership: Annual stock awards (10% of compensation)
• 401(k) Match: Up to 4% dollar-for-dollar
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA with company contributions, life insurance, disability coverage, and pet insurance
• Competitive Pay: Competitive hourly rate considering prior experience, plus annual bonus eligibility potential
• Career Growth: On the job training, pay for skill and advancement opportunities
• Work-Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 3 weeks of PTO, 11 paid holidays, M-F schedule (X:00 a.m.–X:00 p.m.)
• Additional Offerings: Tuition Reimbursement, Referral Bonuses, Employee Discount Programs

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.