R&D Technician

Primary Function

To operate in a team environment in the development of specialty plastic compounds while consistently being efficient, clean, safe and maintaining our high standard for quality.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate twin-screw and single-screw extrusion equipment and related systems to support rapid R&D development and first-time production runs.
• Support application development engineers and scientists on R&D projects through hands-on processing, sing, and evaluation.
• Interpret and execute project requirements based on development instructions and sales orders.
• Conduct designed experiments and perform material sing as directed by R&D and application development engineering teams.
• Perform physical, mechanical, and visual sing to evaluate material performance and product quality.
• Analyze s results and processing data to support development decisions and continuous improvement.
• Optimize process conditions and proactively identify and resolve issues during development and scale-up.
• Maintain accurate records and document all observations, s results, and process parameters during extrusion and molding.
• Manage and document projects and tasks effectively with minimal supervision.
• Communicate project progress, s findings, and recommendations with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and sales teams.
• Recommend production processes and equipment for scale-up and support initial manufacturing runs as needed.
• Work independently with a self-directed approach while adapting to changing business needs.
• Collaborate with color formulators to achieve precise color matches, using colorimetry data to meet production specifications and tolerance standards.
• Manage and document projects and tasks effectively with minimal supervision.
• Communicate project progress, s findings, and recommendations with R&D, engineering, manufacturing, and sales teams.
• Recommend production processes and equipment for scale-up and support initial manufacturing runs as needed.
• Work independently with a self-directed approach while adapting to changing business needs.
• Collaborate with color formulators to achieve precise color matches, using colorimetry data to meet production specifications and tolerance standards.
• Ensure work areas meet company expectations for cleanliness, organization, and safety.
• Demonstrate a collaborative and open approach across all responsibilities.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Comply with all related company ISO requirements.
• Comply with all safety regulations and apply good judgment in safely performing all tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• The ability to perform all duties and responsibilities satisfactorily.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• Knowledge of Injection molding, twin screw compounding and profile extrusion preferred.
• Experience with polymers / plastics is a plus.
• The perception is that customer satisfaction is the #1 priority with an excellent disposition in all personal interactions.
• Able to apply problem-solving techniques in situations involving numerous variables.

Education and/or Experience

• High School education or equivalent and a minimum of 2-5 years of experience in plastics industry or appropriate training.

Language/Communication Skills

• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret directions, instructions, customer specifications, purchase orders, production documentation, quality system procedures, correspondence and memos, data sheets, brochures, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and MSDS sheets.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to sit or stand for 4 hours at a time.

Work Environment

• Normal exposure to moderate noise levels.
• General office Environment.

Travel Expectations

• Little to no travel is needed for this role with the exception of training opportunities.

Telework Conditions

• All remote work needs to be pre-approved on a case-by-case basis based on time in position, length of request and performance in role.
• The position is in office.

Pathogen Exposure Risk

• Very Low.