R&D Paste Technician – Level A

Zeus; Gaston (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Zeus Industrial Products, headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is seeking an R&D PTFE Extrusion Technician Level A to maintain development in a defined area of the facility. You will troubleshoot process failures, oversee extruder assembly and startup, and ensure proper documentation of best practices and transfer of new PTFE projects.

The role requires hands-on PTFE extrusion experience, teamwork, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year hands on experience in operation of R&D PTFE extrusion technician – Entry Level
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Hands on approach.

Responsibilities

• Operate multiple materials and configurations on extrusion equipment
• Oversee extruder startup and tooling maintenance
• Record best practice sheets and process notes daily
• Develop and transfer PTFE projects and prototypes

Skills

PTFE extrusion

Troubleshooting

Teamwork

Documentation

Problem-solving

Tools

Instron

SEM

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

R&D PTFE Extrusion Technician Level “A” will be responsible for technically maintaining development in a defined area of the facility. This would include troubleshooting and correction of process failures, overseeing extruder assembly, maintaining damaged tooling, overseeing extruder startup, ensuring best practice sheets are being recorded properly, and development and transfer of new PTFE projects.

Job Summary

JOB DESCRIPTION

R&D PTFE Extrusion Technician Level “A” will be responsible for technically maintaining development in a defined area of the facility. This would include troubleshooting and correction of process failures, overseeing extruder assembly, maintaining damaged tooling, overseeing extruder startup, ensuring best practice sheets are being recorded properly, and development and transfer of new PTFE projects.

Responsibilities

Level “A” extrusion technicians should be technically competent in running multiple materials, process configurations, and different sizes/types of extruders. To be considered for Extrusion Dev Technician Level “A”, a candidate would be required to meet the following minimum list of requirements for paste extrusion. Meeting all of the requirements below does not ensure promotion to the position described. A number of other factors such as work ethic, attendance, and communication skills will be evaluated.

Paste Extrusion

• Properly identify cosmetic defects
• Surface finish - Roughness
• OD/ID Shear Marks
• Cloudiness
• Black Spots
• Determine Undercooked
• Determine Overcooked
• OD / ID Lines
• OD / ID Cracked
• Cut ends jagged OD/ID
• Wall Cracked
• Loose Dirt
• Slippage
• Powder Marks
• Lube Smell in Tubing
• Splitting
• Kinks/Dents
• Properly diagnose dimensional problems
• Material Flat
• Walls off
• OD/ID/WALL Adjustments
• Concentricity / TIR out of spec
• Fluctuating Size
• Ovality
• Cut Lengths / Tolerance / Angularity
• Compounding
• What is overworked powder? Prevention
• Wet / Dry Powder – Identifications, root cause, prevention
• What happens if not pre-rolled ?
• Cross contamination of resin? How? How to prevent?
• High Moisture? Identification?
• Where will dirt be most likely picked up from?
• Coagulated Pigment. (large pigment balls). Cause?
• Failed Pantone, inconsistent color. Causes?
• Fillers not dispersed evenly?
• Lumpy Powder (Causes?)
• Jar washing rules.
• Process documentation and notes properly completed and organized daily.
• Notes
• Proper Filling Out of BBP
• Operator Interface
• Process specific
• SLW extrusion
• Wire Machine PTFE extrusion
• Tuber PTFE extrusion
• Proficiency on coil, spool, cut put-ups, differences, why?
• Proficient measuring parts
• HS / Secondary Input Specifics
• Extrusion of PTFE over wire
• Horizontal PTFE Extrusion
• Preforming
• Preform dry out. How to prevent?
• Pressure build up in extrusion. Causes?
• Fluctuating at the head? Causes?
• Required surface cosmetics of preform?
• Gouges / scrapes / causes / ID/OD
• Cracks in preform. Effect on extrusion. Causes?
• What to watch for pouring color / fillers? Corrections?
• Proper procedure for stacking preforms.
• Stripes
• Tooling
• Matchups
• Rod / Adapter
• Adaptor / Mandrel
• Sleeve / Master die
• Master die / Insert
• Polish (Visual)
• Proper Mandrel Measurement
• Setup and operation of test equipment to evaluate prototypes against specifications.
• Tensile testing on Instron, selection of proper method, setup, and reporting
• SEM images and IND measurement

NOTE: This list may have additions or subtractions made at any time. Zeus reserves the right to add, remove, or substitute requirements at any time based on business conditions, changing technology, or other business needs. Additions and subtractions are directly communicated to the Technician seeking competency completion.

Must meet the Technician proficiency within 18 months from start date. If training is incomplete within 18 months then the employee may be disqualified from proceeding in the Technician program and will return to manufacturing shop-rate pay.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one (1) year hands on experience in operation of R&D PTFE extrusion technician – Entry Level
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Hands on approach.

About Us

Zeus Industrial Products, headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the world’s leading polymer extrusion manufacturer and material science innovator. More than 50 years of experience in medical, aerospace, energy, automotive, fiber optics, and more allows us to set the bar high.

Zeus is a great place to work. Expectations are high; our work is meticulous and very precise. Zeus offers an opportunity to join a very successful, family-oriented team. Our products are cutting‑edge, our process is unique, and our quality and customer focus are second‑to‑none. We are a leader in our field and have great relationships with our customers and team members. Many of our team members are the best at what they do in the world. Our customers are leaders in their fields. Our products help save lives.

Continuous Improvement is a way of life at Zeus. Successful candidates will have a desire and ability to take our manufacturing process to the next level. Expectations are high; our work is meticulous and very precise. You must possess the ability to work independently; and the desire to learn a variety of skills. The ability to communicate clearly is imperative, as is the ability to manipulate data using various software packages.

At Zeus, what we do matters, and we pride ourselves in “Turning polymers into possibilities.” Expectations are high; our products are cutting‑edge, our process is unique, and our quality and customer focus are second‑to‑none.

Our Employees And Our Customers Are At The Center Of Everything We Do. Those Relationships Have Been Built On a Foundation That Is Supported By Our Mission And Vision

Our Mission: Provide Solutions – Enable Innovation – Enhance Lives

Our Vision: Working Together – Doing It Better

Zeus is an exciting, innovative company that offers competitive pay and a great benefits package. As we continue to push the boundaries of polymer science, we’re constantly in need of new ideas, new expertise, and new team members. Are you ready to join us?

Content