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Contamination Control Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IPG Photonics

Contamination Control Engineer

Oxford, MA · On-site

$86K - $112K/yr

Lead and advance contamination control strategies for DUV laser manufacturing * Analyze and mitigate photochemical and surface-driven degradation mechanisms affecting optics, coatings, crystals, and ...

Allergan

Lead and coordinate all contamination control activities on the assigned shift, ensuring activities are prioritised and executed in line with production requirements, schedules and Key Process ...

General Atomics

Contamination Control Engineer

Acton, MA · On-site

$91K - $118K/yr

With limited direction, the Contamination Control Engineer is responsible for developing ... Lead contamination risk assessments through product design, manufacturing, transportation, and ...

TerraPower LLC.

Quality Control Microbiologist

Everett, WA

$28.25 - $37/hr

Lead risk assessments for contamination sources and recommend mitigation strategies throughout ... Train QC and Operations staff in aseptic techniques and microbiology best practices. * Build strong ...

TerraPower LLC.

Quality Control Microbiologist

Everett, WA · On-site

$28.25 - $37/hr

Lead risk assessments for contamination sources and recommend mitigation strategies throughout ... Train QC and Operations staff in aseptic techniques and microbiology best practices. * Build strong ...

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Contamination Control Lead information

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How much do contamination control lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for contamination control lead in the United States is $32.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $39.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contamination control lead?

A Contamination Control Lead is a professional responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing procedures to minimize contamination risks in controlled environments, such as laboratories, cleanrooms, or manufacturing facilities. They lead teams to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards, conduct training, and monitor contamination sources. Their work is crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and electronics, where strict contamination control is essential for product quality and regulatory compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contamination control lead?

To excel as a Contamination Control Lead, you need a solid understanding of contamination control principles, cleanroom standards, and quality assurance, often supported by a degree in life sciences or engineering. Familiarity with relevant regulatory guidelines (such as GMP and ISO 14644), environmental monitoring systems, and risk assessment tools is typically required. Attention to detail, leadership, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing teams and ensuring compliance. These skills and qualifications are essential for maintaining product safety, regulatory adherence, and operational integrity in controlled environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a contamination control lead, and how can they be addressed in daily operations?

A Contamination Control Lead often encounters challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to protocols, managing cross-functional teams, and promptly identifying sources of contamination. Addressing these requires proactive communication, ongoing training, and robust monitoring systems to ensure all staff follow established procedures. Regular audits and quick response plans also help minimize risks and maintain compliance with industry standards. Collaborating closely with quality assurance and production teams is key to resolving issues efficiently and sustaining a contamination-free environment.

What is the difference between Contamination Control Lead vs Quality Assurance Specialist?

AspectContamination Control LeadQuality Assurance Specialist
CertificationsISO 13485, GMP trainingISO 9001, GMP, Six Sigma
Work EnvironmentCleanrooms, manufacturing facilitiesOffice, manufacturing, labs
Industry UsagePharmaceutical, biotech, medical devicesPharmaceutical, manufacturing, healthcare
Primary FocusPreventing contamination, environmental monitoringEnsuring product quality, process compliance

The Contamination Control Lead primarily focuses on preventing contamination in clean environments, ensuring environmental controls are maintained. In contrast, the Quality Assurance Specialist oversees overall product quality and compliance. Both roles require GMP knowledge and are vital in regulated industries, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to Contamination Control Lead jobs?

For Contamination Control Lead jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Contamination Control Lead job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,709 per year, or $32.1 per hour.

Contamination Control Engineer

Marlborough, MA • On-site

IPG Photonics
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about IPG Photonicsexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

IPG Photonics rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

IPG Photonics is revolutionizing the laser industry as the pioneering developer and leading producer of fiber lasers and amplifiers. Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, IPG has over 4,800 employees in more than 30 locations around the world. We aspire to work together with our employees and customers to apply light in ways that improve life.

Our mission is to develop innovative laser solutions to make the world a better place. To accomplish this mission, we are committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and an engaged and thriving workforce that drives a sustainable future for our company and society.

Working at IPG Photonics you can expect challenging projects, a motivating and friendly environment, and workinghand-in-hand with skilled teams of software and hardware engineers.

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced engineer with a strong foundation in chemistry to lead contamination control and manufacturing process development for deep-ultraviolet (DUV) laser systems. This role requires deep expertise in photochemistry, surface chemistry, and contamination mechanisms that impact the performance, reliability, and lifetime of DUV optical systems. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience diagnosing and mitigating chemically driven degradation in high-energy UV environments.

This is a technically demanding role with significant influence on materials selection, manufacturing process development, and long-term system reliability.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead and advance contamination control strategies for DUV laser manufacturing
  • Analyze and mitigate photochemical and surface-driven degradation mechanisms affecting optics, coatings, crystals, and surrounding materials
  • Evaluate and select materials, including polymers, metals, adhesives, coatings, solvents, and cleaning agents for compatibility with deep-UV exposure
  • Develop and qualify cleaning, passivation, and handling processes based on chemical and surface-science principles
  • Lead root-cause analysis of DUV-induced failures and contamination-related issues
  • Model and experimentally validate contamination transport, adsorption/desorption, and photo-induced reactions in DUV environments
  • Collaborate closely with R&D teams to translate laboratory-scale DUV solutions into robust manufacturing processes
  • Define contamination-control specifications, cleanliness requirements, and acceptance criteria
  • Support supplier qualification, engagement, and audits related to chemical cleanliness and material compatibility
  • Mentor junior engineers and serve as a subject-matter expert in DUV contamination control and chemistry
  • Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
  • Deep understanding of photochemistry, surface chemistry, and molecular contamination under deep-UV irradiation
  • Proven experience identifying and resolving contamination-driven performance or lifetime limitations in optical or laser systems
  • Strong knowledge of organic and inorganic contamination sources, outgassing, adsorption/desorption, and UV-induced chemical reactions
  • Experience working in contamination-sensitive environments such as cleanrooms or precision optics manufacturing
  • Familiarity with cleaning processes, contamination-control methods, and handling procedures for optical and laser components
  • Hands-on experience with DUV systems operating at 266 nm or shorter wavelengths in manufacturing, process engineering, or applied research environments
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect chemical mechanisms to system-level behavior
  • Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
  • Experience with surface-analysis and contamination-diagnostics tools
  • Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC) methodologies and statistical analysis software
  • Background in reliability engineering for DUV optical systems preferred
  • Experience defining cleanliness standards for high-energy UV or photolithography-related applications preferred

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