Quality Lab Technician

About Blue Whale Materials

Blue Whale Materials is an American recycling company producing a source of domestic critical minerals from battery material.  We are building lithium-ion battery recycling facilities producing a high-quality black mass containing cobalt, nickel, manganese, and lithium in the first stage of a closed-loop solution for lithium-ion battery manufacturers.

Blue Whale Materials has established its first recycling plant in Bartlesville, OK. As we grow, we are seeking talented and motivated candidates to join our team. Compensation is based on experience.

Job Summary:

The Quality Lab Tech will play a critical role in ensuring the quality and efficiency of operations at our lithium-ion battery recycling plant. This position in the analytical laboratory includes: conducting in-process and final material assays utilizing the ICP-EOS and other instrumentation, calibration and verification of laboratory instruments, assisting with customer sample sending, maintaining quality standards in a heavy industrial environment, and supporting the Quality Management System (QMS).

Primary Responsibilities:

Analytical Laboratory:

- Conduct material assays to analyze the composition and quality of recycled lithium-ion battery materials.

- Perform precise testing and data analysis to ensure material purity and compliance.

- Timely communication with the operations department.

Quality Management System (QMS):

- Support the implementation of the QMS to ensure consistent quality.

Instrumentation and Equipment Maintenance:

- Perform routine calibration and verification of instrumentation to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Material Sampling:

- Prepare samples to fulfill Customer sample requests.

Safety and Compliance:

- Adhere to all safety protocols and promote a culture of safety

- Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations specific to heavy industrial processes and battery recycling

Other duties as required

Required Qualifications:

- 3+ years of experience in a quality assurance or laboratory role, preferably in a heavy industrial or battery recycling environment.

- Experience with analytical techniques (e.g., ICP-OES, XRF, or similar) for material characterization.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

- Proficiency in laboratory instrumentation calibration and maintenance.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documentation.

- Ability to work in a fast-paced, heavy industrial environment with a focus on safety.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field.

- Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is a plus.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

- Ability to work in a heavy industrial environment, including standing for extended periods and handling hazardous materials with proper PPE.

- Occasional lifting of equipment or materials up to 50 lbs.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

- Proficiency in laboratory instrumentation calibration and maintenance.

- Experience with analytical techniques (e.g., ICP-OES) for material characterization.

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.

Education:

- High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

- quality assurance or laboratory: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

- Bartlesville, OK 74006 (Required)

Work Location: In person