Research & Development Technician (Vacuum Coatings Process Group)

Vitro Flat Glass/Architectural; Cheswick (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Vitro Architectural Glass in the Pittsburgh area seeks a Research & Development Technician to support thin film coating R&D activities. The role involves processing coated glass samples, performing a range of measurements, and documenting results to drive product improvements.

You will enter data, create plots, and assist with maintenance of vacuum coating equipment, requiring a strong lab background and attention to detail. A proactive, team-focused mindset is essential.

Qualifications

• HS/GED plus 5 years relevant laboratory experience required.
• AS degree with 1 year lab experience or BS degree in related field also acceptable.
• Proficiency with Windows, Excel and data recording is expected.

Responsibilities

• Process coated glass samples (cutting, labeling, heating).
• Measure properties (mechanical, thermal, spectral/color, electrical) and evaluate samples.
• Perform chemical/environmental durability testing and interpret results.
• Enter data into spreadsheets, plot data, and interpret results.

Skills

Team player

Organized

Attention to detail

Willingness to learn

Initiative

Independent work

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Reliability

Ethical behavior

Color vision

Education

HS/GED + 5 years lab experience

AS degree in physics/engineering/material science/chemistry/electronics/mechatronics

BS degree in science field

Tools

MS Windows

MS Excel

MS Word

Electronic lab notebook

Job description

Vitro is the largest glass manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and the largest glass producer in North America. Vitro's glass products can be found in some of the most iconic vehicles on the road, in countless buildings and homes around the world, and in billions of glass containers produced every year. With more than 14,000 employees worldwide, we have expanded our global footprint and cemented our leadership role in the industries in which we operate.

At Vitro, we redefine the power of partnership to create value and innovative glass solutions for our customers and communities. Together, we will realize the full potential of glass to shape how we move, build, and live in the future. Vitro takes active steps to protect the environment and supports several initiatives that promote protection of the environment and reduction of energy consumption in the glass manufacturing process. Our products and technologies reduce energy consumption and emissions in buildings and vehicles, and we minimize the use of natural resources in manufacturing. Together, we have the power to make more than glass. We can make the future a brighter place for years to come.

Vitro Architectural Glass manufactures a broad range of industry-leading, energy-efficient products such as Solarban, Sungate and Starphire Ultra-Clear glasses. Throughout our storied history, collaboration and innovation have been central to our advancements. Today, the key to our success continues to lie in the strength of our partnerships. With a foundation formed on trust, teamwork and shared excitement, the possibilities for impactful innovations in glass are truly endless.

With manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico, Vitro Architectural Glass is committed to sustainable manufacturing processes and products. Vitro also operates one of the world's largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, PA and has four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada.

To find out more, please visit our website: Vitro Architectural Glass | Vitro Architectural Glass vitroglazings.com

Research & Development Technician - Position Overview:

Job responsibilities

• Processing (e.g., cutting, labeling, heating) of coated glass samples
• Making measurements of various physical properties (e.g. mechanical/scratch resistance properties, temperature measurements using thermocouples, spectral/color properties using spectrophotometers,ellipsometric properties using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometers, electrical properties such assheet resistance using four-point resistance probe, carrier density/carrier mobility using Hall Effect probe, work function using Kelvin probe), and other evaluations (e.g. visual quality) of such samples
• Chemical/environmental durability testing of coated glass samples and interpreting results
• Entry of data into electronic spreadsheets, plotting/charting of such data, and interpreting results
• Documentation of procedures, results, and data in electronic laboratory notebook
• Writing test reports
• Deposition of thin film coatings using vacuum coating equipment (after training from experienced personnel)
• Adjustments, maintenance, and repair of vacuum coating equipment and/or other electrical/mechanicalequipment (after training, and with assistance/coaching where needed)
• Occasionally assisting other personnel with work related to diagnoses of samples returned fromcustomers or manufacturing facilities (including opening wooden crates, boxes, pallets, helping tomove/lift/disassemble/cut-down insulated glass window units for examination and testing, assistingwith photography of large and small glass samples, etc.)
• Other duties as appropriate for a laboratory technician position

Required Characteristics/Skills/Experience

• HS/GED plus 5 years relevant laboratory experience OR
• A.S. degree in closely related field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc) plus 1-year relevant laboratory experience OR
• B.S. degree in science field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc)
• Adherence to safe work practices and compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and securityprotocols as verbally specified by Vitro personnel and/or in written procedures
• Aptitude and motivation to do hands-on laboratory work (cut/process/measure samples, testchemical/mechanical durability of coated glass samples, prepare thermocouples and make temperaturemeasurements, make observations/draw conclusions, plot data in appropriate types of charts, andaccurately organize/document results in spreadsheets/reports and electronic laboratory notebook)
• Team player: ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with a variety of science andtechnology professionals (technicians, engineering specialists, scientists, engineers)
• Organized
• Good balance between being attentive to details while completing tasks/jobs in a timely fashion
• Aptitude and willingness to continue to learn and expand upon skill set
• Flexibility to participate in other duties, as assigned
• Initiative and resourcefulness; solicits advice/expertise/experience of other personnelwhen necessary.
• looks for, and tackles, the next job that needs to be done without necessarily being told,and asks supervisor regarding prioritization of current/upcoming job(s), as appropriate
• Ability to work independently without frequent/close supervision, as appropriate, and also in team settings
• Ability to multi-task without compromising safety or quality of work
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Updates supervisor, at appropriate times and frequencies, regarding status of work
• Shares ideas (interpretation of experimental results, suggests next experiment(s) and/or newexperimental approaches as appropriate, suggests opportunities to improve work practices, etc.)
• Adequate proficiency with Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, and MS Word software; ability toaccurately organize, enter, and plot data in MS Excel spreadsheets
• Aptitude and willingness to continually learn from other personnel/resources and expand skill set
• Reliability and punctuality
• Honesty and ethical behavior (e.g., keeps accurate timesheets, expense reports, etc.)
• Acceptable color vision
• Ability to occasionally lift/move samples or other objects up to about 45 pounds in weight, withassistance from one or more other persons and/or using assistive devices (e.g., pallet jack, vacuum liftassist)