Volunteer Consumer Product Tester Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OVERVIEW

CR's Product Safety team analyzes data, identifies trends and risks, maintains data quality, and translates complex information into actionable recommendations that support Consumer Reports' research, advocacy, and consumer-facing work.   

As a Consumer Product SafetyTechnician, you will report to the Director,  Product Safety within the Research and Insights division. This role supports the growing need for project tracking, and product safety investigations, as well as reviewing incident and testing data, identifying emerging safety risks, and supporting evidence-based decision-making across the organization. 

This is a Limited Duration position, expecting to end August 31, 2027.  There is a possibility that the position will be extended. The position is designated as a hybrid for in-office collaboration and meetings as needed.  This position is not eligible for sponsorship or relocation assistance. 

How You'll Make An Impact

You will help Consumer Reports deliver trusted, evidence-based information by identifying consumer product safety risks, and supporting investigations, advocacy efforts, and consumer communications that empower consumers and improve marketplace safety.  Areas of focus, include:

• Manage third-party laboratory testing programs by developing testing plans, reviewing protocols and analytical methodologies, validating test methods, and ensuring chemical and physical testing is conducted in accordance with applicable national and international standards.
• Conduct product safety evaluations by analyzing consumer complaints, injury reports, incident databases, recall information, and testing results to identify emerging hazards, injury patterns, and opportunities for further investigation.
• Provide technical expertise on product safety standards and regulations, including CPSC regulations, ASTM standards, UL standards, European Union requirements (e.g., EN, REACH, GPSR), and other applicable domestic and international regulatory frameworks, ensuring appropriate application to consumer product testing and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to interpret laboratory results, assess product safety risks, develop evidence-based testing recommendations, and support publications, advocacy initiatives, regulatory engagement, and standards development through scientifically sound analyses.

ABOUT YOU

You'll Be Highly Rated If:

• You have the education and/or experience.  Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering or another relevant scientific discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• You understand product safety and compliance. You have experience applying product safety regulations and standards, including CPSC regulations, ASTM, UL, European standards (EN), REACH, GPSR, or other domestic and international requirements to consumer products.

You'll Be One of Our Top Picks If:

• You have experience conducting product safety risk assessments for consumer products.
• You have knowledge of chemical safety, toxicology, materials science, or exposure assessment.
• Your experience includes reviewing or developing laboratory test protocols and validating analytical methods.
• You have familiarity with ICP-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS, XRF, physical performance testing, or other consumer product testing methodologies.
• You are proficient with analytical and data visualization tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar platforms.
• You have experience working with standards organizations, regulatory agencies, testing laboratories, or consumer product manufacturers.

FAIR PAY AND A JUST WORKPLACE

At Consumer Reports, we are committed to fair, transparent pay and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation.The target salary range for this position is $77,044.04 - $79,911.99. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates will fall near the middle of this range. Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by the candidate's particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.  We have three locations: Yonkers, NY, Washington, DC and Colchester, CT. We are registered to do business in and can only hire from the following states and federal district: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, DC.