Materials Mechanical Engineering Technician - Req Exp in TGA, DSC or FTIR with injection molding

Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ • Duration: 12 months • Schedule: 40 hours/week, 1st shift • Pay: $20–25/hr • Employment type: W2 contract (US citizens, GC holders, GC EAD, OPT, EAD, or CPT)

About the role

A Senior Materials Technician in the Materials R&D group will conduct testing and experiments, write technical reports, support test-request workflow, operate materials-characterization and testing equipment, ensure compliance with quality policies, support lab audits, maintain equipment calibration, and uphold overall lab health. The role requires adherence to all local, state, federal, and client safety regulations, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform batch mixing, compounding, and extruding of various material types.
• Interpret data to draw conclusions, identify trends, and provide solutions.
• Engage in problem-solving and improvement of test plans.
• Oversee lab-supplies stock and reordering; act as primary purchase-order processor.
• Manage chemical inventory and MSDS upkeep; ensure timely removal of expired chemicals.
• Facilitate team problem-solving by finding common ground.
• Communicate relevant and accurate information in a timely manner to enable effective decision-making.
• Submit final data to requesters and/or archive in conjunction with lab technicians.
• Execute Continuous Improvement projects in areas such as:
  • Equipment or method troubleshooting/repairs.
  • Establishing materials-lab capability operating procedures.
  • Coordinating equipment upgrades and installation.
  • Fixture development and maintenance.
• Develop and seek out new industry, company, product, or technical knowledge.
• Apply logic and methods to solve difficult problems.
• Organize people and activities with limited supervisory assistance.
• Provide direction on subject matter and add value to the team.
• Work under general supervision.
• Develop test methods with limited technical knowledge.
• Generate test reports and perform statistical analysis with practical knowledge.
• Maintain limited understanding of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 rules and procedures for Current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP).
• Understand R&D lab maintenance and housekeeping requirements.
• Follow training regimens for lab procedures, preventive maintenance, and calibration.
• Use small hand tools and/or precision devices to aid in testing.
• Operate common lab instrumentation and equipment.
• Ensure lab operations, calibration, and maintenance of equipment.
• Mentor or supervise junior technicians.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science or Engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience.
• Knowledge of mechanical measurement equipment (e.g., Instron) and two or more materials-characterization capabilities (e.g., Coefficient of Friction, FTIR, SEM/EDS, DSC, TGA).
• Experience with polymer compounding (extrusion, batch mixing) and polymer processing (injection molding, compression molding, batch mixing) preferred.
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of statistical analysis desirable.
• Superior attention to detail.
• Understanding of regulatory and quality requirements and external regulations (ISO, FDA, OSHA, ASTM).
• Maintain good laboratory practices.
• Ability to lift resin barrels when required.