Research & Development Technician

Spi Ind; Red Bluff (CA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost health benefits

Retirement plan with employer-paid 401

Paid vacation and 10 holidays

Job summary

Sierra Pacific Industries, a major window and door manufacturer, is seeking a Research & Development Technician in Red Bluff, CA, to support product development, prototype construction, lab testing, certification, and field-service activities for windows and doors.

The role requires experience with manufacturing processes, the ability to read engineering drawings, and hands-on fabrication skills. Travel to field sites may be needed; comprehensive benefits and growth opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• 2 years of window, door, manufacturing, construction, testing, or related technical experience.
• Working experience with windows and doors is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to independently read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test standards, work instructions, and assembly documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, math skills, troubleshooting ability, and hands-on fabrication skills, including woodworking and safe use of shop equipment.
• Ability to organize testing, manage priorities, document results accurately, explain technical problems, and communicate practical solutions.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel as required and perform the physical requirements of prototype construction, test setup, and laboratory work.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and development work safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures, quality requirements, and project priorities.
• Install and remove products in environmental test chambers and set up instrumentation, fixtures, sealing, supports, and related test equipment.
• Assist with building, modifying, assembling and testing new and existing product prototypes; troubleshoot product, component, manufacturing, and installation concerns.
• Support certification testing by preparing specimens and equipment, performing assigned tests, documenting results, and coordinating follow-up work.
• Assist with developing, documenting and communicating assembly methods, test methods, and standard work; train team members on approved procedures and safe equipment use.
• Analyze test results and product performance and work with Engineering, Production, Quality, and plant personnel to implement solutions.
• Maintain test areas, tools, fixtures, equipment, and records in an organized and serviceable condition.
• Travel to field-service locations or other facilities when required.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Math skills

Troubleshooting

Woodworking

Fabrication

Reading drawings

Computer skills

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Earn $26.87 to $30.34 per hour
We train and promote from within
Excellent low-cost health benefits
Retirement plan with employer-paid contributions
Paid vacation and 10 holidays

At Sierra Pacific Industries, we understand our greatest strength is the people who choose to build a career with us. We are a fourth-generation family-owned company that has grown to be one of the largest lumber and millwork producers in the United States. Our more than 6,000 employees are proud to work at our state-of-the-art sawmills and other facilities, including: manufacturing, custom wood-framed windows, fabrication, millwork, veneer, cogeneration, trucking, forestry, and other operations.

Currently, our Windows division in Red Bluff, California, a growing, major window and door manufacturer with manufacturing facilities located in Alabama, California, and Wisconsin, is seeking a qualified Research & Development Technician to work collaboratively with our division. The successful candidate will independently support product development, protype construction, laboratory testing, certification, and field-service activities for window and door products.

About the Position

• Perform research and development work safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures, quality requirements, and project priorities
• Install and remove products in environmental test chambers and set up instrumentation, fixtures, sealing, supports, and related test equipment
• Assist with building, modifying, assembling and testing new and existing product prototypes; troubleshoot product, component, manufacturing, and installation concerns
• Support certification testing by preparing specimens and equipment, performing assigned tests, documenting results, and coordinating follow-up work
• Assist with developing, documenting and communicating assembly methods, test methods, and standard work; train team members on approved procedures and safe equipment use
• Analyze test results and product performance and work with Engineering, Production, Quality, and plant personnel to implement solutions
• Maintain test areas, tools, fixtures, equipment, and records in an organized and serviceable condition
• Travel to field-service locations or other facilities when required

Qualifications

• 2 years of window, door, manufacturing, construction, testing, or related technical experience
• Working experience with windows and doors is strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of window and door products, components, functions, manufacturing methods, and common performance concerns
• Proven ability to independently read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, test standards, work instructions, and assembly documentation
• Strong mechanical aptitude, math skills, troubleshooting ability, and hands-on fabrication skills, including woodworking and safe use of shop equipment
• Ability to organize testing, manage priorities, document results accurately, explain technical problems, and communicate practical solutions
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to work effectively with limited supervision
• Ability to travel as required and perform the physical requirements of prototype construction, test setup, material handling, field service, and laboratory work while following all safety rules

Why Join Our Team?

Because this is more than an invitation, it's a commitment to offer opportunities for personal and professional growth to everyone! We ask people to grow with us and make the company even better.

We provide an excellent benefit package including a full Health Benefits Plan (including medical, dental, and vision) with low-cost premiums, a 401(k) with Company Match, additional Retirement Contributions, and company-paid Life Insurance.

Sierra Pacific is an (EOE) Equal Opportunity Employer, including those with a disability and veterans.

About Our Company

Sierra Pacific Industries is a fourth-generation family-owned company based in Northern California that started in 1949 and has grown to be one of the largest lumber and millwork producers in the U.S., employing around 6,500 crew members. Sierra Pacific continues to be a company where its employees are proud to work at state-of-the-art facilities and others strive to become part of the team.

We own and sustainably manage more than 2.4 million acres of timberland in California, Oregon, and Washington. Our forests are sustainably managed under a 100-year plan by Registered Professional Foresters, Wildlife Biologists, Botanists, and other professionals. We are growing forests for our future, planting over 6 million new trees every year. In Spring 2024, we planted our 300 millionth seedling on our timberlands. This milestone was decades in the making, reflecting our commitment to sustainable forest management and ensuring we have forests not just for today, but for generations to come.

Sierra Pacific effectively uses nearly 100% of every piece of wood we bring to our facilities. In fact, any small amount that isn't turned into hand-crafted doors and windows, millwork, lumber, or landscaping material is actually converted into electricity in our eight biomass-fueled power plants.

We are proud that all Sierra Pacific facilities follow our drug-free and tobacco-free policies. As part of our safety in the workplace policy, an offer of employment is subject to a negative drug screen result. We use E-verify to verify the social security number and work authorization of all newly hired employees. Sierra Pacific is an (EOE) Equal Opportunity Employer, including those with a disability and veterans.