FRP/ Composites Lab Engineer

For over five decades, Regal Boats has been a beacon of excellence in the boating industry. As a family-owned and operated company since 1969, we take immense pride in our tradition of craftsmanship and quality. With a dedicated team of 600+ skilled members, we innovate and build stunning 20-50 foot boats that embody luxury and performance. Our privately owned status allows us to stay true to our values and focus on nurturing our team, fostering growth, and offering advancement opportunities.

About the Role

Regal Boats is seeking a motivated self-starter with a great attitude to join our team as an FRP Lab Engineer. This role involves process audits, lab testing functions, and participation in process development.

Responsibilities

• Lamination and Process Audits
  • Burn test
  • Correct initiator type and percentage
  • Gun calibrations
  • Glass rollout
  • Correct cores and placement
  • Infusion
  • Laminate thickness
  • Barrier coat and putty application
  • Bottom paint test for proper application
• Lab Testing Functions
  • Material sustainability: gelcoats, resins, MEKP
  • Shelf-life: recheck expired material for viability
  • Test new gel coats, resins, colors, gel times, viscosity, peak exotherms, barcol hardness
  • COA’s: obtain and keep on file for every batch of gelcoat and resin
  • Color and UV exposure resistance
  • Structural bond strength
  • Adhesives, methacrylates, caulking, sealants
  • Corrosion: salt spray test for parts, fasteners, external
  • Fabrics: stain resistance, scratch resistance, floor and wall coverings
  • Calibrations: mil gauges for gelcoat, pics crimper and dyes, equipment
  • Tooling: test tooling gel/resins before use
• Process Development and Improvement
  • Develop and test new build processes
  • Diagnose problems within the current build process
  • Training on various lamination and infusion techniques
• Data Collection/Entry
  • Gather monthly chemical usages for environmental reporting purposes
  • SWPPP quarterly water outfall testing
  • SWPPP quarterly visual inspections
  • Assigned responsibilities listed on the environmental dashboard
  • Enter monthly chemical usage data into the appropriate spreadsheets
  • 90 Day Waste Area weekly inspections

Requirements

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to use a variety of hand tools, razor knives, scissors, and power tools
• Detail oriented
• Demonstrated record of dependability and reliability with prior work experience
• Ability to work well with and in close proximity to others
• Fluent English
• Good problem-solving ability
• Self motivated

Preferred Qualifications

• Creative thinker
• Engineering background
• Skills in fiberglass and resin

Work Environment

Must be able to work in a non-climate-controlled environment where ambient air temperature can exceed outside air temperature, reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit at times.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to bend at the waist and knees and stand for extended periods of time
• Frequently required to climb into and out of boats using stairs
• Must frequently be able to lift 50 pounds
• Work 10-hour days with most of the time being on their feet
• Work overtime, whether planned or unplanned