What does a formulation technician do?
Formulation Technicians are responsible for preparing and testing formulations samples to meet the research and development goals. Their duties include preparing samples for different formulations, undertaking pilot production studies, assessing storage stability, conducting physical property measuring, and performing chemical and physical formulation assessments. They facilitate global sampling, maintain an accurate record of study data, and participate in team meetings. Formulation Technicians also ensure that laboratory resources are up to acceptable standards and work is done to follow best practices, safety standards, and documented procedures.
Formulation technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real formulation technician resumes:
- Manage daily production schedule, monitor machine operation, addressed any etching machinery problems.
- Conduct extensive research and product development in extrusion and flavor sciences, specializing in glass encapsulation technology for the flavor industry.
- Perform internal ISO audits and maintain documentation to preclude violations.
- Perform waste operations according to GMP, FDA and EPA regulations.
- Perform dose preparation sampling and dispensing for GLP and non-GLP studies.
- Perform and supervise LOTO monthly audits, briefing shift personnel on findings.
- Communicate with management to advise the release of field work and status of equipment affect by LOTO.
- Read schematic drawings, and engineering instructions for assembling and testing ROV systems, applying knowledge of ROV systems and components.
- Operate ROV while monitoring jumper installation operations.
- Perform IQ/OQ/PQ validation on equipment in a GMP base laboratory environment.
- Design extrusion screw which result in improve product quality and process efficiency.
- Generate, maintain and ensure consistency of all appropriate documentation in accordance with GLP practice and individual protocol requirements.
- Evaluate current lab practices and independent initialization of startup procedures for new lab practices and lab organization for ISO accreditation.
- Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
- Perform lab USP monographs for dynamic viscosity, purify water and granular size.
Formulation technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Formulation Technicians are proficient in Lean Manufacturing, FDA, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Ability to use technology, Interpersonal skills, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Formulation Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lean Manufacturing, 13%
Worked in an FDA regulated, high volume, high velocity, lean manufacturing environment.
- FDA, 7%
Produced a wholesome product that is free from any possible contamination in compliance with FDA Quality Standards and Specifications.
- Troubleshoot, 7%
Monitored Atmospheric Distillation Columns Material balances and unit operating conditions to troubleshoot any issues with this unit.
- Lab Equipment, 5%
Maintained related lab equipment to ensure standards of sanitation remained high.
- PPE, 4%
Performed CIP to clean vessels after usage, recognized and perform clean room techniques and adhere to proper PPE.
- GLP, 4%
Preform all tasks in accordance to SOP's, GMP's,cGMP's.GLP.Prefrom daily calibration scales, laboratory instruments.
Most formulation technicians use their skills in "lean manufacturing," "fda," and "troubleshoot" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential formulation technician responsibilities here:
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform formulation technician duties is interpersonal skills. Formulation technicians responsibilities require that "chemical technicians must work well as part of a team that often includes scientists, engineers, and other technicians." Formulation technicians also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "demonstrate positive interpersonal skills while working with patients, families, physician, co-workers, and other departments. "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a formulation technician to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what formulation technicians relies on this skill, since "chemical technicians must be methodical in conducting scientific experiments and interpreting data." How this skill relates to formulation technician duties can be seen in an example from a formulation technician resume snippet: "prepared accurate packing lists for the shipment of test article /substance and samples to the sponsor and or analytical laboratory. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a formulation technician does. Formulation technician responsibilities require this skill because "chemical technicians must explain their work to scientists and engineers or to workers who may not have a technical background." This resume example highlights how formulation technician duties rely on this skill: "monitor fiber optic levels for system command and communication. "
The three companies that hire the most formulation technicians are:
- Thermo Fisher Scientific45 formulation technicians jobs
- Lifecore8 formulation technicians jobs
- Fresenius Medical Care Windsor, LLC6 formulation technicians jobs
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Compare different formulation technicians
Formulation technician vs. Chemical analyst
Chemical Laboratory Assistants are professionals who help researchers and scientists in performing lab experiments and tests. Their tasks involve the maintenance, cleanliness, or sterilization of laboratory equipment or instruments. They perform physical or chemical laboratory tests assisting scientists in the quantitative or qualitative analyses of liquids, gaseous materials, and solids. The necessary skills and knowledge for this job include chemistry, lab reporting, chemical solutions, and safety procedures.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a formulation technician are more likely to require skills like "lean manufacturing," "troubleshoot," "bpr," and "ppe." On the other hand, a job as a chemical analyst requires skills like "analytical methods," "analytical procedures," "wet chemistry," and "ms." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Chemical analysts really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $59,909. Comparatively, formulation technicians tend to make the most money in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $63,188.The education levels that chemical analysts earn slightly differ from formulation technicians. In particular, chemical analysts are 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a formulation technician. Additionally, they're 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Formulation technician vs. Chemistry laboratory assistant
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, formulation technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "lean manufacturing," "fda," "troubleshoot," and "bpr." Meanwhile, a chemistry laboratory assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "lab safety," "chemistry lab," "lab experiments," and "lab reports." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Chemistry laboratory assistants may earn a lower salary than formulation technicians, but chemistry laboratory assistants earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $37,906. On the other hand, formulation technicians receive higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,188.In general, chemistry laboratory assistants achieve similar levels of education than formulation technicians. They're 0.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for formulation technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Bryan Spiegelberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Sciences, Rider University
Formulation technician vs. Chemical laboratory assistant
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, formulation technicians are more likely to have skills like "lean manufacturing," "fda," "troubleshoot," and "bpr." But a chemical laboratory assistant is more likely to have skills like "laboratory equipment," "chemistry lab," "organic chemistry," and "crisis intervention."
Most chemical laboratory assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to formulation technicians. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Formulation technician vs. Cement tester assistant
Types of formulation technician
Updated January 8, 2025
