Production Technician - Chemistry

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. At EarthOptics, we are combining cutting-edge genomic analysis, data science, microbiology, and remote sensing to revolutionize agriculture. 

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 20 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 the Chemistry team in our Emeryville, CA laboratory as an individual contributor, supporting EarthOptics' mission through high-quality laboratory operations. In this role, you will execute daily soil processing and chemistry workflows in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs). Responsibilities include processing and handling soil samples, operating laboratory equipment, maintaining clean and organized workspaces, accurately documenting production activities, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with quality standards in a high-throughput environment. Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to consistently follow established procedures, adaptability in a fast-paced laboratory setting, and effective collaboration with teammates to support sustainable, data-driven agriculture.

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 Regular, Part-Time after 90-days based on performance and business needs
• Schedule: The role is 30 hours per week, and operations may occur 7 days a week during peak season. Employees may be scheduled for day, evening, and weekend shifts. Actual days worked will vary based on operational needs.
• Work Location: This is an onsite position in our Emeryville, CA office and laboratory. 
• Travel: Less than 5% of the time
• Target Start Date: August 31, 2026
• Compensation: $22.00/hour

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

• Maintain clean, organized, and compliant laboratory and production workspaces
• Execute daily soil processing and chemistry workflows according to standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Receive, sort, label, and prepare soil samples for analysis based on testing requirements
• Operate and monitor laboratory equipment, including ovens, grinders, vacuum sealers, dishwashers, and scales
• Perform routine lab support tasks, including cleaning, drying, and restocking glassware and lab consumables
• Load, operate, and maintain laboratory dishwashing equipment, ensuring proper cleaning cycles and chemical use
• Prepare and restock laboratory materials, including extraction tubes, pipette tips, reagents, and consumables
• Support sample extraction workflows by preparing plates (e.g. adding beads, NAPTs) and handling post-processing cleanup
• Dispose of laboratory waste, including sharps and non-hazardous materials, in accordance with safety guidelines
• Monitor inventory levels and notify appropriate personnel when supplies need to be reordered
• Record production data and complete required documentation accurately and consistently
• Perform basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting as needed
• Adhere to all safety protocols, including proper handling of high-temperature materials and equipment
• Collaborate with cross-functional lab teams (e.g., blending lab, carbon lab) to support overall lab operations and workflow efficiency

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

• High school diploma required or equivalent experience required. Additional coursework or training in chemistry, biology, or a related field is preferred.
• 1+ years of experience in a laboratory, production or manufacturing environment preferred.

• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) with accuracy and consistency.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality in repetitive, high-throughput work.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced laboratory environment while managing priorities effectively.
• Basic knowledge of laboratory safety practices and safe operation of laboratory equipment.
• Basic mechanical aptitude with the ability to perform routine equipment troubleshooting and identify or escalate quality or process issues.
• Comfort working with high-temperature equipment or hazardous materials (with training) 
• Ability to maintain organized, clean, and compliant workspaces.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills when working with cross-functional teams.
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and accountability.
• Basic computer skills for data entry, documentation, and laboratory systems.
• 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 with closed toes shoes and long pants
  • Personal Protective 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, environmental lab, production lab, or similar high-throughput environment.
• Prior experience working 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. 🌮🍩
• 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 autonomy, accountability, collaboration, customer centricity, grit and grace.

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 [email protected].