Research Support Technician

Summary:

Responsible for supporting routine laboratory testing for product improvement and new product development. Additionally, responsible for laboratory equipment setup and maintenance, assisting with laboratory scale alloy melting and atomizing, customer technical service projects, manufacturing trouble shooting projects. Typical working hours will be on weekday daylight shift; however, the employee may be assigned to work weekend and alternate shifts for specific projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Follows safe work practices and reports/corrects unsafe conditions.
• Sets up and configures equipment for desired testing conditions
• Responsible for smooth operation of general laboratory equipment including equipment repairs.
• Ability to move and configure larger pieces of testing equipment and test materials using a forklift.
• Execution of R&D testing plans using laboratory equipment.
• Conducts required tests, interprets results, and summarizes findings. (written or verbal)
• Assists with routine technical service problems and reports findings and solutions to supervisor.
• Reports findings, offers conclusions and recommends a possible course of action.

Competency:

• Basic machine maintenance, electrical wiring, simple plumbing, able to read and implement equipment user manuals.
• Ability to learn and understand the manufacturing processes, products and their applications.
• Creativity in product/process improvement and problem solving.
• Ability to do basic mathematical calculations with the aid of spreadsheet or calculator
• Takes on other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Ability to use MS Office computer programs including Excel and Word
• Ability to implement and complete experimental plans.
• Ability to conduct tests properly and ensure reproducible and accurate data.