Engineering Technician

Old World Industries, LLC.; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) matching

Life insurance

Identity theft protection

Disability insurance

FSAs/HSAs

Employee assistance

Job summary

Old World Industries, LLC. in Northbrook, IL, seeks an Engineering Technician - R&D to support documentation, lab activities, and material logistics within the R&D team.

You will coordinate change management, assist with purchasing, ensure proper chemical storage, and maintain performance data while collaborating with cross-functional teams to advance product development and validation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher with some technical exposure.
• Experience or coursework with laboratory practices, wet lab procedures, or technical testing environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet tools for data entry, organization, and basic analysis.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including R&D, EH&S, laboratory, production, purchasing, and external vendors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on tasks.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, submit, organize, and maintain change management documentation in accordance with internal procedures.
• Coordinate R&D purchasing activities, including working with vendors, creating purchase orders, tracking orders, and supporting material availability for project needs.
• Partner with EH&S and laboratory teams to support proper chemical storage, usage, and handling practices.
• Coordinate sample requests from production and manage sample shipments to third-party laboratories, customers, and other stakeholders for testing and validation efforts.
• Enter, organize, and analyze performance data using spreadsheets and other standard business tools.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and data files to support engineering review, traceability, and project execution.
• Communicate status, risks, and follow-up actions clearly with engineers, lab personnel, vendors, and cross-functional partners.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Documentation

Communication

Laboratory practices

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Summary

The Engineering Technician - R&D supports the Research and Development team by coordinating technical documentation, assisting with laboratory activities, managing sample and material logistics, supporting purchasing processes, and maintaining accurate performance data. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, hands-on professional who is comfortable working in a laboratory environment, collaborating across functions, and helping engineers advance product development and validation activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, submit, organize, and maintain change management documentation in accordance with internal procedures.
• Coordinate R&D purchasing activities, including working with vendors, creating purchase orders, tracking orders, and supporting material availability for project needs.
• Partner with EH&S and laboratory teams to support proper chemical storage, usage, and handling practices.
• Coordinate sample requests from production and manage sample shipments to third-party laboratories, customers, and other stakeholders for testing and validation efforts.
• Enter, organize, and analyze performance data using spreadsheets and other standard business tools.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and data files to support engineering review, traceability, and project execution.
• Communicate status, risks, and follow-up actions clearly with engineers, lab personnel, vendors, and cross-functional partners.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with some technical exposure.
• Experience or coursework involving laboratory practices, wet lab procedures, or technical testing environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or similar spreadsheet tools, including data entry, organization, and basic analysis.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including R&D, EH&S, laboratory, production, purchasing, and external vendor partners.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on tasks.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior internship, co-op, or professional experience in an R&D, laboratory, manufacturing, or technical operations environment.
• Experience supporting change management, purchasing, sample coordination, or document control processes.
• Familiarity with chemical handling, laboratory safety practices, and working with third-party test laboratories.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Work is performed in office and laboratory environments.
• No travel is required for this role.
• Must follow applicable safety procedures, laboratory guidelines, and company policies when working with materials, samples, and chemicals.

This opportunity offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness benefits
• Company-matching 401(k) plan
• Company-paid life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment benefits
• Company-paid identity theft insurance
• Company-paid disability
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Company-paid employee assistance program
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Additional benefits included: voluntary life insurance, legal benefits, critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, and pet insurance

Old World Industries is among the largest privately held companies competing in the automotive aftermarket today. Built upon a 50-year history of ingenuity, the Northbrook, Illinois-based company is transforming the automotive, commercial and chemical industries that keep the world moving forward. Old World's brands include a full line of PEAK Performance Automotive Aftermarket Products including Antifreeze/Coolant, Washer Fluid, Lighting and Wiper Blades; BlueDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid and Equipment; FINAL CHARGE PRO-SERIES Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolant, Fleet Charge SCA Precharged Heavy Duty Coolant and Thermal Charge Heat Transfer Fluid.