Material Lab Technician II_SCR

The Azek Company; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in manufacturing is seeking a qualified individual for a technical role involving product testing and material trials. The ideal candidate should have strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a solid educational background in Polymer Science or a related field. The position involves working in a fast-paced environment with responsibilities that include conducting trials, preparing reports, and ensuring safety standards.

Qualifications

• Three plus years experience in a similar position.
• Proficiency using measurement tools and devices.
• Experience with polymer composite test methods.

Responsibilities

• Plans, schedules and conducts material trials and supports plant trials.
• Prepares technical reports related to research and testing materials.
• Conducts product testing in accordance with ASTM standards.

Skills

Problem-solving

Mathematical aptitude

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Polymer Science, Materials, or related field

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or STEM field

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

This role pays 29.00 an hour commiserates with experience.

• Plans, schedules and conducts material trials and activities in lab and supports plant trials.

• Plans, schedules and conducts product test installations and trials.

• Assists in development and optimization of processing conditions for new and modified formulations
• Act as a liaison to other departments and assist in identifying root cause of production issues and recommend a countermeasure
• Sets timelines on personal projects, execute testing, analyze results, and recommends next steps
• Prepare technical reports related to research, development and testing of materials and products
• Contributes towards continuous improvement in Research and Development area
• Ensure lab equipment is operating properly and calibration is maintained
• Conducts product testing in accordance with ASTM standards and internal procedures
• Follows industry standards and safety regulations as it relates to testing, sample preparation and disposal
• Assist in updating and creating lab standard operating procedures
• Implements new tests, methods, instrumentation, equipment, and procedures; including all documentation associated with safe operation
• Coordinates with internal and external testing labs to conduct required testing associated with R&D projects
• Participate in required safety walks to help identify and resolve any potential safety risks.
• Performs additional duties as needed and/or assigned by supervision/management

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position will not have direct reports within the R&D department. In addition, this position may directly/indirectly lead personnel and multi-functional teams, on a project-by-project basis.

Required Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or Work Equivalent in Polymer Science, Materials, Plastics, Chemical Engineering or Engineering Technology, or related field. Experience with construction or building materials installation, and ability to proficiently and safely use associated tools (power tools/hand tools).
• Proficiency using and understanding measurement tools/devices and associated units and/or unit conversions (specifically tape measure, rulers, calipers, temperature monitoring devices, and scales/balances).
• Three plus years in a similar position, preferably in manufacturing environment, with basic knowledge of general lab testing or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience utilizing data to come to conclusions and recommend corrective action
• Understand manufacturing process of plastic extrusion, polymer composite test methods, and use of analytical equipment for polymer composition analysis
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and mathematical aptitude
• Good written and oral communication with experience preparing and presenting technical reports
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate to a wide range of audiences with varying backgrounds
• Proficient with the interpretation of ASTM Standards and lab procedures, including the implementation of new procedures
• Self-directed, motivated, and able to multi-task in fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment
• Strong computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Work schedule flexibility, with advance notice, to accommodate needs of the business

Preferred Qualifications, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Polymer Science, Materials, Plastics, Chemical Engineering, Engineering Technology or equivalent STEM degree
• Ability to conduct extrusion trials (lab and production scale)
• Strong mechanical aptitude as it associates with standard laboratory equipment
• Familiar with data driven statistical analysis
• Experience with formulation development and/or evaluation of Olefins, wood plastic composites, and/or PVC compounds
• Experience implementing new test equipment and publishing necessary standard operating procedures with safety instructions
• Experience with quality control.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must have the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment and is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must individually lift and/or move up to 50 lbs., occasionally, and 125 lbs. with assistance, infrequently. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. In addition, mobility to cover expansive manufacturing facility is required. Local travel may be required but is infrequent.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.