Production Technician

Job Description:

Join EarthOptics as a Production Technician! 

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.

With the recent merger of EarthOptics and Pattern Ag, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. Our unified 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 30 states and 2 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 will join our Memphis, TN Lab team to impact our mission through individual contributor responsibilities. As a Production Technician at our Memphis, TN lab, you will be responsible for performing daily soil processing tasks according to standard operating procedures (SOPs). You will ensure safe, efficient, and compliant handling of samples and basic analytical equipment. This role requires the ability to consistently follow provided operating procedures, adaptability in a fast-paced environment, and collaboration with coworkers to support sustainable and data-driven agricultural practices.

We have certain criteria across all our hires at EarthOptics, no matter the position or team. 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.

The digs: 

• Job Type: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Temporary to Permanent after 90-days based on performance and business needs
• Schedule:  Maximum of 30h/week Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm PT.
• Work Location: This is an onsite position in our Memphis, TN office and laboratory. 
• Travel: Less than 5% of the time
• Target Start Date: ASAP
• Compensation: $18.00/hour

What you’ll cultivate as a Production Technician: (Your responsibilities) 

• Ensure production spaces are kept clean, organized and compliant with safety protocols
• Execute daily tasks according to established procedures and quality standards
• Maintain high throughput expectations
• Receive and sort samples according to the analysis ordered
• Set up and operate equipment (ovens, soil grinders, vacuum sealers, scales, etc.) according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and monitor machines and tools used in the production process
• Handle high-temperature materials (360 C+) (PPE provided)
• Organize (label, package, store) processed samples in accordance with workplace procedures to be added to an extensive soil library
• Perform equipment maintenance as needed
• Record production data and complete required documentation
• Adhere to safety guidelines and regulatory requirements

Are you our soil-mate? You’ll bloom in this role if you have: (Your qualifications) 

• High school diploma required. Equivalent experience may substitute for education.
• Demonstrates ability to multitask and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
• Maintains exceptional reliability through consistent attendance, punctuality, and dependability
• Fosters a respectful workplace by building professional relationships and collaborating positively with all team members
• Adapts to flexible working hours, with availability for occasional after-hours work
• Applies strong attention to detail in all work tasks
• Works comfortably with large volumes of soil and soil slurry
• Performs repetitive tasks with consistent quality and focus
• Adheres to all safety procedures and utilizes provided PPE
• Demonstrates proficiency in basic computer/IT troubleshooting and competency with hand tools

• Ability to understand and precisely follow protocols and procedures
• Having knowledge of laboratory safety guidelines
• 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.

Although not required, we’d love to see roots in:

• Prior experience working in a soil processing lab or other production environment
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, start-up environment
• Prior experience working with environmental samples, especially soil samples

Aside from “the green”, we can offer you:

• 401k Plan + Employer Match up to 4%
• Accrued paid time off
• Candidate Referral Program
• Above and Beyond Bonus Program
• Regular opportunities to give feedback on our benefits offerings

How we stay grounded:

Although we have teammates working in the field, in-office, and at home, we aim to create a cohesive, diverse, and enriching environment for all of our employees. We embrace different tools to enhance our workflows and communicate intentionally, both live and asynchronously. A few quick facts you should know:

• We rely on Slack to communicate. Although there are a variety of team-specific systems to facilitate your work, this is our primary! 
• We love both food and emojis at EarthOptics. If hired, you’ll come to love (and use many) taco and donut emojis. 🌮🍩
• Our core business hours are Monday through Friday 11am-4pm EST. We have teammates in every time zone, and have some teams that operate outside of that timeframe. As a remote employee, you are asked to honor those hours to ensure enough time to overlap with key cross-functional teams.
• In order to maximize our remote culture, we host company-wide opportunities to connect (virtually and in-person) and create space for focus work. For example, we have a weekly all-hands stand-up meeting on Monday and reserve Fridays as a regular “No Meeting” day.
• Instead of values, we believe in actionable “cultural concepts”. Collectively, we hold one another to act and give feedback with these concepts in mind. Ours are information and intent, recognition and respect, and autonomy and accountability. 

Inclusion and Diversity at EarthOptics: 

At EarthOptics, we embrace diversity and equality, and stand against any form of discrimination or harassment. We base all hiring and promotion decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, parental status, veteran status, or disability.

We are deeply committed to welcoming and including every qualified individual. As a part of this commitment, we ensure that persons with disabilities have access to reasonable accommodations. If you require assistance during the job application or interview process, need support to perform essential job functions, or seek other benefits and privileges of employment, please reach out to us at accommodations@earthoptics.com.