Senior Materials Technician – R&D

Solstice Advanced Materials; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) match

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Solstice Advanced Materials is seeking a Senior R&D Technician in the Spokane Valley, WA area to help develop advanced metal PVD sputtering targets for semiconductors and high-tech applications. You will design, execute, and analyze experiments, operate lab and pilot-scale equipment, and support materials characterization and process optimization with a hands-on approach.

You will work closely with R&D scientists and engineers, report to the Senior R&D Manager, and contribute to product

Qualifications

• 6+ years of hands-on experience with metallic materials, metallurgy, powder processing, machining, thermal processing, or related activities.
• Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratories or manufacturing equipment in a R&D/manufacturing environment.
• Experience with materials characterization and testing techniques, including sample prep, metallography, dimensional measurements, and property analysis.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and document experimental data, maintain detailed lab records, and communicate technical results effectively.
• Good problem-solving, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement skills; able to work independently with multiple priorities in a fast-paced R&D environment.
• Experience with various metals (steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, tantalum, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and document lab and pilot-scale experiments.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot labs or manufacturing equipment for processing and characterization.
• Prepare test samples and perform metallurgical, physical, and mechanical evaluations.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate experimental data with accurate records and reports.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and quality standards; identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.

Skills

6+ years experience

Lab equipment operation

Materials characterization

Data analysis & documentation

Independent problem solving

Metals experience (steel, Cu, Al, Ti,

Reading technical drawings

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Metallography equipment

XRD

SEM

Hardness testing equipment

Job description

Job Description

As a Senior R&D Technician at Solstice, you will play a critical role in the development of advanced metal PVD sputtering targets for semiconductors and other high-technology applications. You will work closely with R&D scientists and engineers to design, execute, and analyze experiments, operate specialized laboratory and pilot-scale equipment, and support materials characterization and process optimization activities. This position requires a hands-on technical professional with strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and a passion for innovation in advanced materials. Your contributions will be instrumental in advancing next-generation sputtering target technologies, accelerating product development, and delivering high-quality material solutions that meet customer and business objectives. You will report directly to Senior R&D Manager, and you will work out of our Spokane Valley, WA facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and document laboratory and pilot-scale experiments supporting the development of advanced metal PVD sputtering target materials and manufacturing processes.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot R&D equipment used for powder processing, melting, metal working, heat treatment, and material characterization.
• Prepare test samples and perform metallurgical, physical, and mechanical evaluations to support materials development, process optimization, and product qualification activities.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate experimental data, maintaining accurate laboratory records and contributing to technical reports, presentations, and project reviews.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to support product development, scale-up, customer qualifications, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards while identifying opportunities to improve laboratory processes, equipment reliability, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

YOU MUST HAVE

• 6+ years of strong hands-on experience working with metallic materials, metallurgy, powder processing, machining, thermal processing, or related materials development activities.
• Proficiency in operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratories or manufacturing equipment in a R&D or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with one or more materials characterization and testing techniques, including sample preparation, metallography, dimensional measurements, and analysis of material properties.
• Ability to accurately collect, analyze, and document experimental data, maintain detailed laboratory records, and communicate technical results effectively.
• Good problem-solving, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement skills, with the ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced R&D environment
• Experience in working with various metals (steel, copper, aluminum, titanium, tantalum, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and specifications.

WE VALUE

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical certification or vocational training preferred.
• Experience working with high purity metals such as copper, aluminum, titanium, refractory metals, etc.
• Familiarity with sample preparation and analytical techniques such as metallography, optical microscopy, hardness testing, density measurements, XRD, SEM or chemical analysis methods.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Previous work in aerospace, automotive, electronics or medical device industries.

The annual base salary range for this position is $59,000 - 82,000.

Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice Advanced Materials considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities or the position, the candidate's work experience education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.

Benefits Of Working For Solstice Advanced Materials

In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays

Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.

About Us

About Solstice Advanced Materials

Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™, and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents, Solstice's approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit Advanced Materials .