Shipping & Receiving Technician (Contractor)

Prolific Machines is ushering in a new era of biotechnology with light. Our mission is to make next-generation therapies broadly available to patients. Our first-of-its-kind Photomolecular Platform uses light to precisely guide how cells produce complex biologics, enabling higher titers, improved quality, and faster development timelines. By helping partners overcome today’s manufacturing bottlenecks, we’re accelerating the delivery of life-changing medicines. Prolific is supported by leading investors, including Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Mayfield, and SOSV.
Help us create a brighter tomorrow with biology. We're looking for mission-driven, talented, and kind people to join our team.
About the RoleWe’re looking for a Shipping & Receiving Technician to ensure the smooth, accurate, and timely handling of all incoming and outgoing packages, supplies, and materials at Prolific Machines, including restocking and taking of inventory. A successful candidate in this role will take ownership of high-volume shipping and receiving operations, streamline documentation, and support critical lab and office supply needs. Within the first six months, this person will help ensure full accuracy in package processing and timely distribution, maintain reliable inventory systems, and support efficient lab and office operations. This role will be based fully on-site in Emeryville, CA for 30-40 hours per week with anticipated working hours of Monday through Friday, 8am to 2:30pm or 4:30pm as needed. The contract is expected to last for 6-12 months with the possibility of conversion to full-time employee at the end of the term.

Responsibilities

• Receiving: Receive, log, and distribute an average of 300+ incoming packages monthly, ensuring proper handling and storage, including temperature-sensitive materials.
• Shipping: Manage outgoing shipments, ensuring proper packaging, labeling, and timely dispatch.
• Record Keeping: Upload, scan, and reconcile packing slips for orders placed via our procurement platform, ensuring accurate financial and purchasing records.
• Mail: Process and distribute daily mail, including invoices, checks, permits, and official documents, with accurate digital filing into company systems.
• Restocking: Maintain stock of kitchen, office, lab, and general supplies, including drinks, snacks, coffee, and consumables, ensuring consistent availability.
• Lab Maintenance: Support lab operations by assisting with washing, autoclaving, restocking supplies, and coordinating equipment/lab item moves as needed.
• Office Maintenance: Unload dishwasher daily and assist with tidying shared spaces as needed during the day.
• Ticket Management: Partner with lab and operations staff to communicate supply needs, manage inventory, and respond to urgent requests.
• Miscellaneous: Other responsibilities as assigned.

About You

• Relevant experience including 2+ years in a shipping & receiving, warehouse, or lab support role, preferably within a biotech startup environment. Various levels for the role will be considered depending on the candidate’s specific experience.
• Hold a high school diploma or higher, with an Associate’s degree in logistics, supply chain, operations, life sciences, engineering, or a related field preferred. Candidates without a degree but with similar industry experience are highly encouraged to apply. 
• Have demonstrated knowledge of shipping/receiving best practices, including handling of perishable and temperature-sensitive items.
• Proficient with digital documentation tools and comfortable with scanning/uploading records into purchasing and finance systems.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with high volume and time-sensitive materials.
• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and reliable, with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Communicate clearly with colleagues across teams, proactively updating stakeholders when items arrive or require special handling.
• Willing to roll up your sleeves to support lab operations and office needs as part of a small, hands-on team.

Diversity: We value diverse people, perspectives, and knowledge. To this end, we aim to foster a sense of belonging that enables everyone to bring their whole, authentic self to work everyday. We are committed to growing a diverse and inclusive team that encompasses all types of people. We believe this can only be achieved by acknowledging the ancestral, historic, and current systemic and communal inequities.
Location: The San Francisco Bay Area (Emeryville, CA)