Lab Technician - 3rd Shift

Wacker Chemie AG; Canton (OH); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance from day 1

Paid time off

Parental leave

Flexible hybrid work arrangements

401(k) with company match

Education assistance

Career development

Community involvement

Job summary

Wacker Chemie AG in North Canton, OH seeks a Lab Technician for 3rd shift to support RTV and heat-curing silicone elastomer development. You will mix, formulate, test, and evaluate experimental silicone formulations using lab-scale equipment.

Responsibilities include conducting mechanical, thermal, and rheological tests, maintaining calibration, handling materials, and documenting results with disciplined lab records.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required, Associates preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Support development and optimization of RTV and heat-curing silicone elastomer formulations.
• Conduct formulation screening, benchmarking and comparative studies.
• Perform physical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological testing per ASTM/ISO methods.
• Maintain lab equipment, perform calibration and preventive maintenance.
• Record and report test data in lab information systems.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associates degree

Tools

Laboratory mixers

Tensile testers

Rheometers

Environmental chambers

MS Office

Job description

Job Location (Short): North Canton, OH, USA, 44720

Posting Start Date: 8/4/26

Do you want to take responsibility and make a difference with your work? With your expertise, we can achieve great goals together. We are WACKER - Reliable. Determined. Ambitious. As one of the world's most research-intensive chemical companies, we've been making countless products that are an integral part of your everyday life possible for over 100 years. From vegan food to resource-efficient buildings to solar cells, we develop sustainable solutions that change the future.

To strengthen our team in North Canton,

we are looking for you as a(n) Lab Technician - 3rd Shift.

The Lab Technician is responsible for supporting the development and optimization of RTV and heat-curing silicone elastomer formulations for industrial applications. Compound, mix, process, and evaluate experimental silicone formulations using laboratory-scale processing equipment. Conduct formulation screening, benchmarking, and comparative performance studies against commercial products and competitive materials.

Perform physical, mechanical, thermal, and rheological testing in accordance with ASTM, ISO, and internal test methods. Evaluate material properties including:

• Hardness (Shore A/D)
• Tensile strength and elongationTear resistance
• Compression set
• Cure characteristics
• Viscosity and rheology
• Thermal aging and environmental resistance
• Operate and maintain laboratory instrumentation and test equipment, including mixers, curing ovens, tensile testers, rheometers, hardness testers, and environmental chambers.
• Accurately collect, analyze, and document test data using laboratory information systems and standard reporting tools.

Responsible for maintaining laboratory equipment through calibration verification, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting activities to include:

• Managing raw material inventories, including silicone polymers, fillers, crosslinkers, catalysts, pigments, and additives.
• Ensuring proper chemical handling, storage, labeling, and disposal in compliance with EHS and regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring proper chemical handling, storage, labeling, and disposal in compliance with EHS and regulatory requirements.
• Maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks, test records, and technical reports consistent with company quality systems.

Adhere to all company Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security (EHSS) requirements. The position consists of the following duties and responsibilities:

• Reading, following and completing in process instructions, including documenting work steps and results.
• Sampling of in-process and finished products.
• Reporting upset conditions and mechanical breakdowns.

Cleaning:

5S is a workplace organization method designed to improve efficiency, safety, and productivity. The 5S’s stand for:

• Sort (Seiri): Remove unnecessary items from the work area.
• Set in Order (Seiton): Organize and arrange items so they are easy to use and label everything.
• Shine (Seiso): Clean the workspace and equipment regularly to maintain standards and identify issues.
• Standardize (Seiketsu): Establish procedures and schedules to maintain the first three S’s.
• Sustain (Shitsuke): Make 5S a habit and part of the culture through training and regular audits.

The "Shine" step specifically refers to cleaning the workplace, keeping tools and equipment in good condition, and ensuring that any problems (such as leaks or wear) are quickly identified and addressed.

Participating in training, both as a trainer and a trainee.

• Enthusiastically accept required training in techniques, equipment and safety and train others as needed.
• Other Duties Assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED, Associates preferred.
  Must be able to lift up to fifty (50) pounds on occasion.
• 1–3 years of laboratory, product development, quality, or related technical experience preferred.
• Experience working in a chemical, materials, polymer, or manufacturing environment is beneficial.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow established procedures.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Collaborative team-oriented mindset.
• Experience with laboratory mixers, physical testing equipment, or elastomer testing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and technical data recording.
• Sound written and verbal skills to share and receive information with a variety of team members and external agents.
• Extended periods of walking, standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, stooping, bending, and twisting.

What do we offer?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance effective day 1
• Paid Time Off in addition to personal days and holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements
• 401(k) with company match
• Education Assistance Program
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Support for Community Involvement

Reference Code:31394

The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. A minimum requirement for this US-based position is the ability to work legally in the United States on a permanent unrestricted basis. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, including any type of US permanent residency (e.g., for a green card).

Wacker is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We actively promote the equality of opportunity for all who are qualified and bring the requisite experience, talent, skill and potential, without regard to age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristics. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.