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Food Lab Tech Jobs in Novato, CA (NOW HIRING)

Lancesoft - Viren

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Manufacturing QA Technician

Richmond, CA · On-site

$28 - $30/hr

Minimum bachelor's degree (Food Science, Biology, Microbiology or related science) and minimum 2 ... Lab Test Equipment/Maintenance. * Must follow current Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Sanitation ...

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All JobsFood Lab Tech JobsFood Lab Tech Jobs in Novato, CA

Food Lab Tech information

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$14

$26

$40

How much do food lab tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for food lab tech in Novato, CA is $26.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.44 and $28.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food lab tech?

Food Lab Technicians, or Food Lab Techs, are professionals who assist in the testing and analysis of food products to ensure safety, quality, and compliance with regulations. They typically work in laboratories within food manufacturing companies, government agencies, or research institutions. Their duties include preparing samples, conducting chemical and microbiological tests, recording data, and maintaining laboratory equipment. Food Lab Techs play a crucial role in preventing contamination and ensuring that food products meet industry standards before reaching consumers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food lab tech?

To thrive as a Food Lab Tech, you need a solid understanding of food science, laboratory techniques, and quality control, usually supported by a relevant associate or bachelor's degree. Familiarity with analytical instruments such as spectrophotometers, pH meters, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is typically required. Attention to detail, organization, and strong communication skills help ensure accurate data collection and effective teamwork. These skills are crucial for maintaining food safety, ensuring compliance with regulations, and delivering reliable results in a laboratory environment.

What are some common challenges faced by food lab techs when conducting quality control tests?

Food Lab Techs often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to safety and cleanliness protocols while handling perishable samples. They must also ensure precise measurement and documentation, as even minor deviations can affect test results and product quality. Additionally, managing a high volume of samples and meeting tight deadlines can require strong organizational and multitasking skills. Collaboration with other lab staff and departments is essential to resolve discrepancies quickly and maintain consistent standards.

What is the difference between Food Lab Tech vs Food Quality Inspector?

AspectFood Lab TechFood Quality Inspector
CredentialsOften requires a degree in food science, microbiology, or related fieldTypically requires a high school diploma or associate degree, with certifications in food safety
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, conducting tests and analyses on food samplesInspection sites, factories, or processing plants, monitoring food production processes
Employer & IndustryFood manufacturing companies, laboratories, research institutionsFood production facilities, regulatory agencies, quality assurance firms

While both roles focus on food safety and quality, Food Lab Techs primarily perform laboratory testing and analysis, whereas Food Quality Inspectors conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards. Both positions are essential for maintaining food safety but differ in their daily tasks and work environments.

What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Food Lab Tech jobs? Cities near Novato, CA with the most Food Lab Tech job openings:
Food Lab Tech jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Lab Tech job openings in Novato, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, and 9% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,021 per year, or $26.5 per hour.

E11 Bio - Scientist, Tissue & Imaging Quality

Convergent Research

Alameda, CA • On-site

$96K - $144K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

E11 Bio is a Focused Research Organization (FRO) with a long-term mission to make connectomics scalable and cost-effective for mammalian brains - first for mice and eventually for humans. 

We have recently developed PRISM, a platform technology for low cost optical connectomics. PRISM integrates advances in genetic cell barcoding, multiplexed expansion microscopy, and machine-learning based -based spatial reconstruction to solve key bottlenecks in data acquisition and analysis. PRISM will reduce the cost of connectomics 100-fold and thereby transform neuroscience, treatments for brain disorders, and neuro-inspired computing. 


E11 Bio is seeking a mission-aligned experimental scientist who is equally comfortable at the bench, the microscope, and with quantitative data analysis. This role is responsible for sample preparation end-to-end for high-quality connectomics, combining hands-on experimental work with quantitative image-based QC to diagnose failure modes and iteratively improve protocols. You will collaborate closely with molecular biology, imaging, and computational teams to ensure we consistently prepare high quality specimens and brain tissue to support our ambitious scaling goals towards whole-brain connectomics.
Core Responsibilities
  • Ensure consistent end-to-end quality across our in vivo sample preparation pipeline. Collaborate with technicians, including viral delivery and animal perfusion, tissue processing, and overall readiness for imaging and molecular readouts
  • Perform and troubleshoot stereotaxic injections and perfusions as needed to optimize our in vivo sample preparation pipeline and guide protocol improvements
  • Routinely evaluate injection and perfusion outcomes (viral labeling, tissue quality, use for downstream work) through microscopy and image analysis
  • Define, implement, and maintain sample quality rubrics (e.g. labeling density, barcode density) and ensure samples are scored consistently over time
  • Develop and maintain image-based workflows to generate quantitative QC metrics based on partnership and feedback with wet lab and computational staff
  • Design and perform experiments to improve sample quality when it is limiting for downstream applications
  • Extend quality assessment to RNA integrity and molecular preservation
Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, bioengineering, or a related life-science or engineering field, or Ph.D.-equivalent working record
  • 3-5 years of relevant research experience with a strong track record of end-to-end experimental ownership
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience with in vivo sample preparation, including stereotaxic injections, perfusions, and tissue handling
  • Experience acquiring and working with confocal and widefield microscopy data
  • Experience developing or maintaining fit-for-purpose image-analysis workflows (e.g. Python scripts, Fiji macros, or equivalent) to support experimental iteration
  • Strong organizational, documentation, and record-keeping practices and strong attention to reproducibility
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, particularly across wet-lab, imaging, and computational teams
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience designing or applying quality control rubrics or scoring systems for biological samples or imaging data
  • Familiarity with image-analysis pipelines for cell counting, morphology, spatial distributions, or intensity-based metrics
  • Experience working in highly iterative or startup-like research environments and in work where roles span multiple technical domains
We offer
  • An opportunity to help change the world and work with a world-class interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers on a field-defining moonshot
  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance through a PPO plan; parental leave.
  • Generous time off + paid holidays.
  • 401K matching up to 6% of base salary
  • Ample healthy and energizing food including daily lunches.
  • Stipend for fitness and wellness activities.
$96,000 - $144,000 a year
Base salary range: 96k - 144k
Bonus: Performance-based, up to 20% of base salary
401k match: up to 6% of base salary
Total potential compensation range: 121k - 181k
E11 Bio, LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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