Description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Fabrication & Production Equipment Technician plays a critical technical role in supporting Beneficial Insectary’s insect-rearing, processing, and facility operations. This position is responsible for fabricating, repairing, and customizing equipment, tools, and infrastructure used throughout multiple production departments. The technician works independently to create solutions that improve productivity, reduce downtime, and ensure safe, biologically appropriate conditions for live insect production. This role requires strong welding, fabrication, and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform MIG/TIG welding, metal cutting, forming, and general fabrication work to build or repair production equipment.
- Construct custom rearing racks, tables, screens, trays, feed tools, and operational fixtures used across insect farming operations.
- Modify existing equipment based on production needs, biological requirements, or supervisor feedback.
- Work from sketches, measurements, or verbal instructions to build functional solutions.
- Troubleshoot mechanical and structural issues affecting workflow or insect health.
- Perform timely repairs to reduce downtime and reinforce items exposed to moisture, heat, or continuous use.
- Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to understand project requirements and develop creative fabrication solutions.
- Support specialized insect-rearing rooms, climate-controlled areas, and equipment used in biological production.
- Ensure all fabricated items align with biological safety, sanitation, and environmental requirements.
- Provide realistic time estimates, communicate project status, and maintain clear documentation.
- Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area to prevent contamination and ensure safe operation of tools and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- 2+ years of welding, fabrication, or industrial maintenance experience preference.
- Basic proficiency with hand tools, power tools, drills, and saws.
- Familiarity with working with multiple types of building materials, steel, aluminum, Lexan, Delrin, Plastic
- Prior experience MIG and/or TIG welding, metal cutting, grinding, and basic machining preferred but not required.
- Ability to safely operate welders, grinders, saws, drill presses, and plasma cutters.
- Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills and ability to fabricate custom solutions.
- Comfort working in humid, warm, or biologically active environments.
- Ability to draft simple sketches or follow verbal design concepts preferred.
- Reliable, adaptable, strong communication skills, and a problem-solving mindset.
- Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, or manufacturing environments preferred.
- Forklift certification or ability to obtain it is preferred.
- Vocational training or technical coursework in welding, fabrication, machining, or industrial maintenance preferred.
- External welding certification(s) strongly preferred but not required.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions is a must.
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Work in warehouses, production rooms, climate-controlled environments, and outdoor areas exposed to natural elements including sun, wind, rain, heat, and cold.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, welding, grinding, and use of fabrication tools.
- Safely lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs with or without accommodation.
- Use PPE such as eye protection, gloves, welding helmet, respirators as needed.
- May work in humid, warm, dusty, or biologically active environments.
- Must be able to perform job duties while exposed to varying weather conditions when working on outdoor projects or equipment.
- Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required for urgent production repairs.
Description
Bumblebee Production Technician
Reports To: Bumblebee Production Manager
Location: Shipping
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
The Bumblebee Production Technician supports the rearing, harvesting, quality control, and packaging of bumblebees. This role is essential to maintaining high standards of organism health, environmental cleanliness, and production accuracy. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, comfortable working with live organisms, and committed to contributing to sustainable agriculture practices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Assist in the propagation and rearing of bumblebees according to company protocols.
· Monitor insect life cycles, growth stages, and environmental conditions to ensure healthy production.
· Perform tasks such as feeding, harvesting, sorting, and transferring live insects with precision and care.
· Prepare, package, and label live insect shipments for customer delivery in accordance with quality and safety standards.
· Record production data accurately using established systems (Excel, databases, or other software), including batch numbers, quantities, and developmental observations.
· Conduct routine cleaning and sanitization of production areas, equipment, and workstations to prevent contamination.
· Follow biosecurity, safety, and hygiene protocols strictly, including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
· Operate microscopes and stereoscopes to observe insect development and quality.
· Communicate any anomalies in insect behavior, health, or facility conditions to supervisors promptly.
· Support cross-functional tasks including inventory management, supply restocking, and minor facility maintenance.
· Participate in training and continuous improvement initiatives, including troubleshooting and process efficiency projects.
· Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
· High school diploma or equivalent (biology, agriculture, or related coursework preferred).
· Experience in insect rearing, agriculture, animal care, or laboratory work preferred.
· Computer literacy and ability to accurately enter and maintain data in spreadsheets or databases.
· Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), or other laboratory/production standards preferred.
· Strong communication skills with the ability to work in a positive, team-oriented, and cross-functional environment.
· Strong observation, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
· Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain accuracy in repetitive tasks.
· Fine motor skills and ability to handle delicate tasks with precision.
· Comfort working with live insects and in a production/laboratory setting.
· Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and hygiene compliance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
· Close visual acuity required for tasks involving insect observation, equipment operation, and data entry.
· Manual dexterity for handling small and delicate insects with care.
· Ability to work in controlled environments with variable temperatures and humidity.
· Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 30 pounds regularly.
· Frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements.
Extended periods of standing or sitting, including time operating a stereoscope and/or computer
Description
Position Summary
The Site Supervisor oversees daily operations at the insect production site, ensuring efficient workflows, high product quality, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards. This role provides hands-on leadership to production staff engaged in the rearing, processing, and packaging of beneficial insects and mites used in biological pest control. The Site Supervisor coordinates with Operations and Quality teams to meet production goals, maintain facility readiness, and ensure consistent communication across shifts.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Supervise and coordinate daily work activities of site staff involved in insect and mite production, processing, and facility maintenance.
- Plan and assign work to optimize productivity, quality, and resource utilization.
- Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, sanitation) to maintain optimal production outcomes.
- Train employees in production techniques, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Inspect work areas and equipment for compliance with safety, quality, and sanitation standards.
- Maintain accurate records of inventory, production output, labor, and materials.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance and R&D teams to identify and resolve production or product-quality issues.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations for site employees.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, state and federal labor regulations, and biosecurity requirements.
- Assist with scheduling, timekeeping, and reporting hours worked to Payroll and HR.
- Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Associate degree in Agriculture, Biology, Business, or a related field preferred;
- Minimum of 2 years of direct supervisory experience overseeing 10–15 employees in a production, agricultural, or manufacturing environment.
- 3–5 years of experience in agricultural production, greenhouse operations, insectary, or similar controlled-environment facility.
- Experience with scheduling, performance management, and cross-training in a fast-paced, hands-on setting.
- Familiarity with Cal/OSHA safety standards and agricultural labor regulations preferred
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
- Working knowledge of agricultural or biological production practices.
- Ability to identify operational issues and implement practical solutions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word) and production recordkeeping.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs., stand for extended periods, and work in warm, humid environments typical of insect rearing facilities.
Work Environment
- Work is performed in a controlled agricultural production facility with exposure to live insects, biological materials, and varying temperatures and humidity.
- May require weekend, holiday, or early/late shift work to maintain live cultures.
Description
Job Title: Quality Assurance Technician
Location: Redding
Job Summary:
The Quality Assurance Technician supports Beneficial Insectary’s production and laboratory operations by conducting precise arthropod counts, collecting and analyzing data, and maintaining high standards of accuracy and quality. This role ensures product integrity and adherence to quality control procedures through consistent monitoring, documentation, and collaboration with the Quality Assurance Processing Lead and production staff.
The position requires strong attention to detail, familiarity with basic laboratory equipment, and adherence to established protocols and safety standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform meticulous counting and data collection of arthropods using stereoscopes, microscopes, aspirators, and analytical balances.
- Accurately record, organize, and analyze data for quality and production metrics.
- Assist with various QA sampling and analysis methods including Cone-n-cut, Wet counts, Tape counts, Emergence counts, and Aspirator counts.
- Operate computers proficiently to generate reports and ensure timely communication of QA findings.
- Handle arthropods and related biological materials in accordance with PPE and safety standards.
- Assist in sieving tasks and transport of production supplies such as Peat Moss, Vermiculite, and Bran.
- Support production activities including packaging, preparing raw material mixtures, and measuring received products for inventory control.
- Collaborate with peers and leadership to uphold corporate Objectives, Goals, Actions, and Measures (OGAM) for continuous improvement.
- Maintain cleanliness, organization, and calibration of laboratory work areas and equipment.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands
Work in controlled laboratory and production environments with variable temperatures, humidity, and occasional exposure to odors or allergens associated with arthropods.
Extended periods of sitting, standing, and repetitive hand motions.
Close visual acuity for precise work under microscopes and computers.
Ability to safely lift, carry, or move up to 20 lbs with or without accommodation.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Minimum of one (1) year of related experience in quality assurance, laboratory, or production settings.
- Basic understanding of entomology principles preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and digital data entry systems.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to follow standard operating procedures.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across departments.
- Familiarity with laboratory tools such as microscopes, stereoscopes, and analytical balances
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate’s degree in Agriculture, Biology, or a related scientific field preferred.
- Additional coursework or certifications in Quality Assurance or Laboratory Science desirable.