Cleaning Laboratory Technologist

Blackwave; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackwave TEXAS LLC is seeking a Cleaning Laboratory Technologist to collect samples from the cleaning process and perform analyses validating the technical cleanliness of COPV tanks. You will apply ALCOA+ documentation and support the broader cleaning, drying, and packaging operations in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities include NVR, particle counting, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurements, with the goal of maintaining data integrity and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience in a lab or manufacturing setting is required.
• Experience with NVR and other analytical techniques is required.
• Able to follow standard operating procedures consistently.

Responsibilities

• Collect control and rinse samples from the cleaning process.
• Perform laboratory analyses including NVR, particle count, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurement.
• Document results per ALCOA+ principles and ensure traceability.
• Support cleaning, drying, and packaging processes for tanks.

Skills

Lab experience

NVR analysis

SOP adherence

Process improvement

Quality documentation

Team player

Strong communication

Problem solving

Education

Technical education or relevant practical experience

Tools

Filtration equipment

Particle counting instrumentation

Job description

About Blackwave

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

About Blackwave

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas.

More information at Blackwave.com and the procurement platform COPV.com.

Role Mission

The mission of the Cleaning Laboratory Technologist is to collect control and rinse samples from the cleaning process and perform the laboratory analysis that validates the technical cleanliness of each tank — including Nonvolatile Residue (NVR), particle count, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurement. The role also supports the broader cleaning, drying, and packaging process, applying good laboratory practices to minimize contamination and good documentation practices (ALCOA+: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, and Available) to ensure every result is trustworthy and traceable.

A Successful Cleaning Laboratory Technologist Will

• Understand the testing methods and requirements with minimal training
• Be able to clean tanks independently
• Learn and internalize Blackwave's cleaning process
• Identify opportunities for improvement and help implement them
• Perform the necessary laboratory analyses to validate technical cleanliness of tanks, following industry best practices

Key Responsibilities

• Collect control and rinse samples from the cleaning process
• Perform laboratory analysis including NVR, particle count, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurement
• Apply good laboratory practices to minimize contamination throughout sample handling and testing
• Document all results in accordance with ALCOA+ principles to ensure data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available
• Support and, when needed, independently carry out the cleaning, drying, and packaging process for tanks
• Follow standard operating procedures consistently while identifying opportunities to improve the cleaning and analysis process
• Flag deviations, defects, or process risks and escalate them clearly
• Work closely with the Cleaning Lead and broader team to maintain reliable, repeatable results
• Contribute to a growing knowledge base of cleaning and analysis best practices at the Texas site

Competencies

• Experience in a lab or manufacturing setting (required)
• Skilled in NVR and other necessary laboratory analysis techniques, such as filtration and particle count (required)
• Able to follow standard operating procedures consistently (required)
• Can follow and identify points of improvement for a cleaning and analysis process (required)
• Familiar with quality documentation, standards, and industry best practices (required)
• Culture Add and Attitude
• Hands-on
• Flexible to work in a fast-moving environment
• Willing to work with leadership to implement process improvements
• Coachable and willing to learn
• Self-starter - does not need constant supervision to perform the role
• Team player with strong communication skills
• Problem solver

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Technical education, vocational training, or relevant practical experience in a lab or manufacturing setting
• Prior experience in lab operations, technical cleanliness, clean room operations, or high-tech packaging is preferred
• Background in medical, aerospace, defense, or electronics manufacturing, or in a production bio or chemical lab, is a plus

Language Skills

• English is required (fluent)
• German is a plus

Work Model

• On-site work is mandatory, first shift
• Our current facility is located in Lockhart, Texas (near Austin/San Antonio)
• In August 2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

This position requires eligibility under U.S. export regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to access export-controlled information.

At Blackwave Texas Inc., we hire for talent, curiosity, and the drive to build what's next. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications.

If you'd like to review our affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail]

For this U.S.-based role, your application will be managed by our global People Team in Germany.