Quality Assurance Associate Harken Research Pasadena, CA Job Details Full-time $26 - $32 an hour 2 hours ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Vision insurance 401(k) matching Opportunities for advancement Qualifications Customer communication Laboratory procedures Laboratory instruments Analytical chemistry Customer service Spreadsheets Laboratory experience Laboratory quality control Full Job Description Company Description Harken Research is an
ISO17025
accredited testing laboratory located in Pasadena with two core business units: consumer product testing and pharmaceutical contract research. Within the consumer product testing unit dietary supplements, food, and cosmetics are the focus - with additional testing services catering to other industries. Our strengths are our ability to offer customized testing and problem solving to address client needs; excellent customer service; and quick turnaround times. Summary We are seeking a Quality Assurance Associate to support data review, documentation checks, and Certificate of Analysis (COA) preparation. This role is ideal for someone with early-career laboratory or QA experience who is detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working with analytical data. This position focuses on accuracy, consistency, and learning internal systems. With strong performance, there is opportunity to grow into more technical or senior QA responsibilities. Duties Documentation & Chain of Custody Review Review incoming Chain of Custody (CoC) forms for completeness and clarity Flag missing or unclear information and coordinate with internal teams and clients to resolve Use scientific judgment to choose appropriate tests in ambiguous situations Ensure documentation is properly entered into internal systems Label and Ingredient Review Review product labels and basic ingredient lists to confirm requested tests align with typical product types Escalate unusual or complex questions to senior staff Data Review & Verification Review analytical results for transcription errors or inconsistencies Verify calculations, unit conversions, and basic data accuracy Flag potential issues for review by senior scientists Discuss unclear results with scientists COA Preparation Enter approved results into Certificate of Analysis templates Check formatting, units, rounding, and consistency before release Document organization and recordkeeping Stability Study Support Track sample pull points and timelines Organize results and update summary tables Send results and data summaries to clients Team Support & Coordination Work closely with laboratory staff, customer service, and QA personnel Communicate clearly and professionally when requesting corrections or clarifications Escalate technical questions when needed Essential Functions Working independently Working on a computer for extended periods of time Working in a laboratory for extended periods of time Communication with clients and employees including laboratory, administrative, and sales personnel; ownership; vendors; contractors Required Qualifications 2-3 years of experience in a laboratory, QA, or analytical testing environment Basic hands-on experience with HPLC or similar analytical instrumentation Strong attention to detail and organizational skills Comfortable working in Excel and performing basic calculations Strong written communication skills Ability to follow procedures carefully and work in a fast-paced environment Preferred Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field Exposure to dietary supplements, food testing, or contract laboratories Familiarity with ISO 17025 or regulated laboratory environments Experience reviewing lab reports, COAs, or batch documentation Compensation & Benefits $26 - 32/hour (depending on experience) Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays and PTO 401(k) with company match Training and advancement opportunities Why Join Harken Research? Gain experience in a fast-growing analytical testing laboratory Learn practical QA, data review, and reporting skills used across the industry Work alongside experienced scientists and leadership Opportunity to grow into more technical or senior roles as the company expands
Job Type:
Full-time Pay:
$26.00 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance
Experience:
Laboratory:
1 year (Required) Customer service: 1 year (Required) Ability to
Commute:
Pasadena, CA 91105 (Required) Ability to
Relocate:
Pasadena, CA 91105: Relocate before starting work (Required)
