Job Title: Lab Technician (Construction / Fire Testing)
Job Description
This role combines hands-on construction work with laboratory test preparation in an industrial fire testing facility. You will support senior technicians and engineers by building, assembling, and preparing construction assemblies to be tested to employer standards. The position is physically demanding and focuses heavily on carpentry, framing, and use of power tools in a built environment.
Shift : 6:30am-3:00pm M-F is the standard hours
Pay : Pay up to $27.50/HR based off relating skills
Responsibilities
Build and assemble test specimens such as doors, windows, floors, and ceiling assemblies in preparation for fire testing.
Perform carpentry tasks including framing walls with steel and wood studs and working with drywall products.
Use basic hand tools and power tools such as hammers, drills, power drills, tape measures, and other construction tools to construct and prepare test assemblies.
Work in an industrial construction-based environment, completing tasks such as building walls, doing framing, and performing demolition after testing.
Conduct physical labor for a significant portion of the day, including lifting, carrying, and handling construction materials and assemblies.
Assist sr. lab technicians and engineers with test preparation and, when needed, support the execution of fire tests on building materials.
Operate or assist with operating equipment such as forklifts and cranes in a construction-@type environment, as appropriate to training and safety guidelines.
Use a pneumatic jackhammer and other demolition tools to break up concrete and dismantle assemblies after testing is complete.
Follow employer construction and safety standards while preparing assemblies for fire testing in large furnaces.
Review and reference data sheets and test documentation on a laptop to ensure assemblies meet specified requirements.
Communicate and coordinate with a team of technicians and engineers via email and in person to ensure smooth test preparation and execution.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in compliance with lab and facility safety procedures.
Support general lab operations and equipment use related to electronic testing and lab test setups as directed by staff.
Essential Skills
2-3+ years of experience in a construction, industrial, or similar hands-on environment.
Demonstrated carpentry experience, including framing walls and working with steel or wood studs.
Proficiency using basic hand tools and power tools such as hammers, drills, power drills, and tape measures.
Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work for a substantial portion of the day, including lifting, framing, demolition, and material handling.
Comfort working in an industrial or construction-based environment, including exposure to heavy equipment and large test setups.
High School Diploma (HSD) or equivalent.
Ability to follow detailed instructions and build assemblies to specified standards.
Strong teamwork and communication skills to work effectively with technicians, scientists, and engineers.
Basic computer literacy sufficient to use a laptop for reading data sheets and handling email.
Willingness to learn how to build and prepare construction assemblies to employer standards.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Forklift experience in a construction or industrial environment (certification not required).
Experience working with drywall products and related construction materials.
Exposure to or familiarity with cranes or similar lifting equipment.
Experience in demolition work, including breaking up concrete or dismantling structures.
Any experience in lab technician, test technician, engineering technician, or electronic testing roles.
Familiarity with electronic test equipment or lab environments.
Welding experience is a plus but not required.
Strong soft skills, including the ability to interact professionally and cooperatively with team members.
Commitment to safety practices in an industrial and laboratory setting.
Why Work Here?
You will join a large, established campus with a diverse community of technicians, scientists, and engineers, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and advancement. The environment supports learning and development, allowing you to build new technical skills while working alongside experienced professionals. You benefit from a structured schedule and the stability of a well-organized operation, while gaining exposure to specialized fire testing and construction standards that can enhance your long-term career prospects.
Work Environment
This role is based in an industrial, construction-oriented fire testing laboratory within a large campus. You will work primarily in a built environment that includes large furnaces used to test building materials such as doors, windows, floors, and ceiling assemblies. The position is very hands-on and blue-collar in nature, with construction skills prioritized over computer work. Expect to spend about 65% of your day performing physical labor, including building walls, framing, handling drywall, and conducting demolition after tests. You will regularly use hand tools and power tools, including hammers, drills, power drills, tape measures, and pneumatic jackhammers, and may work around forklifts and cranes in a construction-@type setting. A laptop will be provided for reviewing data sheets and handling email, which will make up less than a quarter of your time. The schedule typically runs from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the environment emphasizes safety, teamwork, and adherence to test and construction standards.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Northbrook, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $27.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Northbrook,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 20, 2026.
About Aerotek:
We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meets their goals, skills and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry - from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role solving for companies' construction, manufacturing and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.
Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
