Laboratory Technician

Next Decade; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Next Decade is seeking a full-time Laboratory Technician to ensure operational success for the Rio Grande LNG facility in Brownsville, Texas. This role involves leading laboratory operations and troubleshooting, owning method validation, and maintaining compliance with ISO standards.

The ideal candidate will possess at least 5 years of progressive experience in the LNG, gas, or petrochemical industries, alongside a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry. Strong leadership skills and expertise in ISO guidelines are essential.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive laboratory experience in LNG, gas, or petrochemical industries.
• Demonstrated leadership within laboratory operations including mentoring programs.
• Extensive experience supporting ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory operations and troubleshooting of analytical methods.
• Own method validation and author technical procedures.
• Establish and monitor laboratory KPIs and drive corrective actions.

Skills

Analytical techniques

LNG quality requirements

ISO/ASTM standards

Leadership in laboratory operations

ISO 9001 compliance support

ISO 17025 compliance support

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Master of Science in Chemistry

Job description

Job Summary

NextDecade is seeking a full‑time Laboratory Technician to support long-term operations for the Rio Grande LNG facility located near Brownsville, Texas. The position will be based in Brownsville. The incumbent will report to the Laboratory Manager in the Operations Engineering Department, under the leadership of the Director of Engineering. Work schedules during startup and commissioning may vary and are subject to operational requirements. The intended long-term schedule for this role is a rotating 7 on/7 off schedule with 12‑hour shifts, alternating between days and nights; however, schedules may be modified at management discretion to meet business needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead laboratory operations and advanced troubleshooting of analytical methods and instrumentation; act as SME for LNG quality.
• Own method validation, investigations, and continuous improvement roadmaps; author and approve technical procedures and work instructions.
• Lead implementation and ongoing compliance with ISO 9001 and ISO 17025; represent the lab during audits and technical reviews.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Reliability, PSM, Environmental, and Quality on complex technical issues and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee laboratory training and competency programs; mentor technicians across levels and assess proficiency.
• Establish and monitor laboratory KPIs (safety, quality, turnaround time, instrument uptime) and drive corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance to management on laboratory strategy, capability development, and performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive laboratory experience in LNG, gas, or petrochemical industries.
• Expert knowledge of analytical techniques, LNG quality requirements, and laboratory systems; deep familiarity with ISO/ASTM standards.
• Demonstrated leadership within laboratory operations (mentoring, program ownership, quality and safety stewardship).
• Extensive experience supporting ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 compliance.
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
• Master of Science in Chemistry.
• 8+ years of progressive laboratory experience in LNG, gas, or petrochemical industries.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor or ISO 17025 Auditor certification.

Work Site Environment

• Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.
• Operates in a complex construction environment.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
• Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions, not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits.
• Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction.
• Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers with scanner and fax, and radios.

Physical Demands

• Ability to drive to other company work locations as required.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including traveling to a designated muster point during emergency situations.
• Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift.
• Full mechanical motion and usage of all extremities.
• Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance.
• Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods.
• May be required to enter confined spaces.
• May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.

Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA‑recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.