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Quality Control Microbiologist Jobs in Washington

Quality Control Technician

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$20 - $25.75/hr

Title : Quality Control Technician Location : Alexandria, VA Shift : 2:30 PM - 11:00 PM Type ... Collect food, water, and environmental samples for quality and microbiological testing. * Perform ...

Sr. Microbiologist

Leesburg, VA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Oversee cleanroom environmental control (air, surface, particle viability) and facilities (e.g ... Execute quality initiatives that support compliance and continuous improvement of Biological Safety ...

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Quality Control Microbiologist information

See Washington salary details

$14

$34

$58

How much do quality control microbiologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for quality control microbiologist in Washington is $34.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.79 and $36.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a quality control microbiologist?

Quality Control Microbiologists are professionals who monitor and test products, materials, or environments in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics to ensure they are free from harmful microorganisms. They perform laboratory tests, analyze samples, and document results to verify compliance with safety and quality standards. Their work is critical in preventing contamination and ensuring products are safe for consumers. They also play a key role in troubleshooting issues and recommending corrective actions to improve manufacturing processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a quality control microbiologist?

To thrive as a Quality Control Microbiologist, you need a solid background in microbiology, laboratory techniques, and a relevant science degree such as microbiology, biology, or biochemistry. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), aseptic techniques, and industry regulations like GMP and ISO standards is typically required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are vital to ensure accurate testing, compliance with safety standards, and effective collaboration in maintaining product quality.

What are some common challenges faced by quality control microbiologists, and how can they be addressed?

Quality Control Microbiologists often encounter challenges such as meeting tight testing deadlines while ensuring accuracy, handling unexpected contamination events, and staying up-to-date with rapidly changing regulatory standards. These challenges can be managed by developing strong organizational skills, participating in ongoing training, and maintaining open communication with production and quality assurance teams. Additionally, implementing robust standard operating procedures and regular equipment calibrations helps minimize errors and ensures reliable results.

What is the difference between Quality Control Microbiologist vs Quality Assurance Specialist?

AspectQuality Control MicrobiologistQuality Assurance Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in microbiology, biology, or related field; certifications like ASQ are a plusSimilar credentials; often holds degrees in related fields and certifications in quality management
Work EnvironmentLaboratory settings focused on testing and analyzing samples for microbial contaminationOffice and production environments overseeing quality systems and compliance
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in pharmaceutical, biotech, and food industries for microbial testingUsed across manufacturing sectors to develop and maintain quality standards

While both roles focus on quality, the Quality Control Microbiologist primarily conducts microbial testing in labs, whereas the Quality Assurance Specialist oversees overall quality systems and compliance. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in daily tasks and work environments.

What are popular job titles related to Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in Washington?

For Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Quality Control Microbiologist jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Quality Control Microbiologist job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in WA?

For Quality Control Microbiologist jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Quality Control Microbiologist job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 8% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,055 per year, or $34.2 per hour.

Manager, QC - Microbiology

Bora Pharmaceuticals

Rockville, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

About Bora:

Bora Biologics is a global biologics CDMO delivering integrated development and GMP manufacturing solutions from FirstinHuman through licensed commercial supply. While many CDMOs are structured primarily for early clinical programs, Bora Biologics is purposebuilt for commercialization. Our inspectionproven, bicoastal U.S. manufacturing platform and integrated development center provide the infrastructure, regulatory discipline, and operational precision required for sustained global market supply.

Job Summary:

The Manager of Quality Control - Microbiology is responsible for managing a team of QC professionals and overseeing the daily operations of the environmental monitoring and utility monitoring programs and microbiology testing at Bora Biologics Rockville site to ensure compliance with cGMP standards and the current EU GMP Annex 1 expectations for contamination control. This person will interact extensively with other department supervisors, Quality personnel, Manufacturing personnel, other business partners, and external clients and sponsors. This person will also be responsible for the development, transfer and validation of microbial test methods. The Manager supports the microbiological elements of the site Contamination Control Strategy and ensures the integrity (ALCOA+) of all microbiological data across manual and electronic records. This role also supports client- and sponsor-facing quality activities, and readiness for client audits and regulatory inspections.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Manages the team to ensure that priorities for lab scheduling, logistics and flow of activities for testing and review are established and followed and that workload is also prioritized and staffing is optimized to ensure timely and effective performance.
  • Supervise and monitor the team to ensure that the environmental monitoring of the clean rooms and GMP facilities are performed under ISO and EU specifications and the current EU GMP Annex 1. Address any deficiencies appropriately.
  • Contribute to and maintain the microbiological elements of the site Contamination Control Strategy in alignment with the current EU GMP Annex 1, including supporting facility, utility, personnel, equipment, and process contamination risk assessments.
  • Read, trend and report testing results to assess compliance and control of facility, utilities, and manufacturing process and recommend any needed changes to senior management.
  • Monitor the GMP systems currently in place to ensure compliance with documented policies and regulatory guidance documents and respond to deficiencies appropriately.
  • Conduct investigations regarding out of specifications (OOS) results and address and manage deviations related to micro procedures. Lead/support laboratory investigations and facilitate root cause analysis.
  • Identify and implement improvement opportunities for established Quality Systems, processes, procedures, and training to support CAPA, Change Control, Deviation, Risk Management, and Investigation processes. Gather metric information for use in continuous improvement of Microbiology area.
  • Develop, revise and review SOPs, qualification/validation protocols and reports, and help execute validation studies to support the validation and qualification of manufacturing area.
  • Ensure proper oversight and guidance for direct reports in the areas of protocol development, report writing, trend report and deviation management.
  • Review proposed changes to EM and utility systems, procedures, methods, as appropriate.
  • Participate in and prepare for internal /external audits where necessary.
  • Train and mentor staff on technical concepts and methods. Develop and implement mechanism for assessing knowledge and understanding.
  • Collaborate with cross functional groups, including QC Analytical, QA, Validation, Manufacturing, Process Development, Facilities, and Clients whenever necessary
  • Ensure data integrity (ALCOA+) across all QC Microbiology records, including LIMS entries, , and manual records.
  • Support client- and sponsor-facing quality activities, including responding to client questions on environmental monitoring trends and excursion investigations, and participating in client audits.
  • Support the transfer, qualification, and validation of microbial test methods for incoming client products and manage the environmental and utility monitoring programs across a multi-product, multi-campaign CDMO environment.
  • Own QC Microbiology performance metrics (e.g., turnaround time, right-first-time, on-time testing) to support batch release schedules and client commitments, and drive continuous improvement.
  • Where applicable to site operations, ensure appropriate aseptic practice, personnel and gowning qualification, and viable personnel monitoring programs.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature of work performed by those in this job and are not an exhaustive list of all duties. Nothing in this job description restricts managements right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time which reflects management's assignment of essential functions.

Minimum Education, Experience & Skills:

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in a scientific discipline and minimum of 5 years of QC Microbiology cleanroom experience.
  • At least 2 years of prior experience supervising staff focused on managing performance and productivity.
  • Significant knowledge of, and experience with Quality Control processes, working in a GMP testing environment, and Microbiological method validation including drafting method validation protocols and reports
  • Familiarity with current EU GMP Annex 1 and contamination control strategy expectations and data integrity (ALCOA+) requirements
  • Experience conducting laboratory and environmental excursion investigations
  • Experience with microbial identification
  • Ability to act independently to determine schedules, methods and procedures on new assignments
  • Possesses the confidence to exercise independent judgment in developing methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results
  • Able to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Requirements

  • Prior experience providing oversight of a cleanroom microbial area of expertise, such as environmental monitoring or utilities monitoring group.
  • Experience working on complex problems in which analysis of situation or data requires an in depth evaluation of intangible variables.
  • Experience performing risk assessments
  • Experience in a CDMO or multi-client/multi-product cGMP environment
  • Demonstrated ability to manage conflict and bring resolutions to technical problems and human interaction issues that arise
  • Proficient in the use of standard business software and GMP data systems, including SAP, LIMS, Veeva, and statistical trending tools.

Salary Range:
$108,000-$150,000

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees' wellbeing, including:

  • Competitive salary and performance-based incentives

  • Comprehensive health coverage including medical, dental, and vision insurance

  • Retirement savings plans with employer matching contributions

  • Paid time off

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Employee wellness programs and resources

  • Employee Assistance Program and Mental Health Resources

Core Values

At Bora, our values guide everything we do - from how we solve challenges to how we support our people. We lead with a solutions-first mindset, strive to do the right thing, stay proactive, and above all, respect everyone.

Bora Pharmaceuticals is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees according to all applicable equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, directives and regulations of federal, state and local governing bodies and agencies. In keeping with this commitment, Bora Pharmaceuticals will recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including factors related to pregnancy or child birth), national origin, age, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity status with regard to public assistance, employment status, local human rights commission activity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, or any other protected category.