Lead Technician - Technical Service

TechDigital Group; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

TechDigital Group in Auburn Hills is seeking a dedicated laboratory technician to support new product development in adhesives. Responsibilities include making and testing laboratory batches, ensuring product quality and efficiency, and collaborating with a diverse team.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma or GED, with a preference for those with a degree in STEM. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and experience with Microsoft applications are essential for success in this on-site role.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED required; associate or bachelor's degree in a STEM field preferred.
• Previous laboratory experience in industrial or R&D environment.
• Knowledge or experience with polymers preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Making and testing laboratory batches for adhesive product line.
• Co-developing new products according to specifications.
• Conducting lab tests on paste and cured adhesives.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Attention to detail

Self-motivated

Teamwork

Verbal and written communication

Microsoft Products proficiency

Data analysis skills

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate or bachelor's degree in a STEM field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED required; associate or bachelor's degree in a STEM field preferred – no Ph.D. or Master’s candidates.
• Previous laboratory experience in an industrial or R&D environment required.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for safe, efficient work.
• Self‑motivated, able to work in a fast‑paced environment, eager to learn new skills, and able to effectively prioritize, organize, and plan responsibilities.
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills; enjoys working with a diverse team.
• Proficient with computers and Microsoft Products – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive, Outlook, Microsoft Teams Meetings.
• Comfortable entering data and analyzing it in Excel or other software; able to identify abnormal data.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to lift or move up to 10pounds regularly and up to 40pounds frequently.
• Knowledge or experience with polymers preferred but not required.

Responsibilities:

Making and testing laboratory batches for our adhesive product line. Preparation, testing, and evaluations are performed against internal standards or automotive customer specifications. Data is recorded in an electronic lab notebook and may be issued as a formal report. Organization of data and test work is essential. Knowledge of Microsoft computer applications is required. Daily work will be assigned, prioritized, and timelines must be adhered to. This role requires 100% full‑time, on‑site presence.

This role supports new product development and existing product maintenance and requires close cooperation with chemists, other technicians, customers, and suppliers. The incumbent will actively participate in the development, testing, qualification, and scale‑up of adhesive formulations.

• Co‑develop new products according to customer needs, specifications, and business strategy.
• Responsible for making adhesive batches, conducting lab tests on paste and cured adhesives, organizing and preparing substrates, and collecting and documenting data.
• Work in teams for successful scale‑up of products, following existing procedures and process capabilities.
• Collaborate with others to learn best lab practices and become competent to complete lab responsibilities independently, safely, and efficiently.
• Ensure product quality and performance standards meet customer needs by staying abreast of customer performance requirements and specifications.
• Understand environmental, health and safety practices and work proactively to improve safety in R&D, serving as a positive example for others.
• Evaluate new materials or components.
• Maintain lab equipment as ERP (equipment responsible person).
• Conduct experiments with high quality, analyze data, and understand results.

Essential Functions:

• Preparing intermediates and adhesive batches.
• Daily lifting and moving of pails up to 50lbs.
• Weighing raw materials and charging them into mixers.
• Scraping mixer bowls, removing adhesives, and cleaning out mixers.
• Transferring and packaging samples into containers; conditioning environments.
• Characterizing and testing adhesives.
• Completing liquid property testing (viscosity, rheology, sag panels).
• Applying adhesives to substrates using manual or automatic caulking guns.
• Performing various mechanical property tests.

Lab Preparation:

• Inventory, order, organize and distribute materials regularly.
• Keep lab benches clean, dispose of materials, and replenish supplies from the storage area.
• Equipment responsibility: daily calibration or verification and recording.
• Project preparation and documentation.
• Use Electronic Lab Notebook to document plans, work, and data daily.
• Conduct and document health and safety audits.