Lab Technician

Job Title:

Lab Technician

Job Description

The Lab Technician performs a wide range of laboratory tests and quality assurance activities to ensure materials and processes meet required specifications. This role focuses on setting up and running physical, chemical, and environmental tests, accurately recording and analyzing data, maintaining laboratory equipment, and supporting material control in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

+ Set up and perform government tests such as climbing drum peels and lap shears, including preparing specimens, configuring machines and chart recorders, running tests, reading results, and entering data into the computer.

+ Conduct flame tests by setting up test equipment, identifying specimens, running the tests, measuring results, and recording all data accurately in the computer.

+ Perform 168-hour tests by preparing samples, setting up equipment and chart recorders, running tests to completion, and entering results into the appropriate electronic worksheets.

+ Measure airborne particles in layup and prime rooms, calculate average readings, and enter results into the computer for ongoing environmental monitoring.

+ Monitor solution temperatures and water purity by taking readings of rinse water, recording results, and documenting tank temperatures in the computer.

+ Monitor and record temperature, humidity, and pressure differential in prime and layup rooms, and change and store charts from the lab, layup, and prime areas.

+ Perform solution analysis by testing aluminum and acid concentrations in deoxidizing and anodizing tanks and alkaline concentration in cleaner tanks, including preparing beakers, collecting samples, calibrating and maintaining pH and aluminum meters, running tests, and recording results in computerized charts.

+ Communicate test findings and required adjustments to process operators and ensure proper cleanup and storage of equipment and chemicals after solution analysis.

+ Conduct material testing for initial inspection and revalidation to verify conformance to specifications, including tests such as visual inspection, resin content, volatile content, gel time, flow, tack, lap shear, T-peel, thickness, expansion, density, hardness, compression strength, viscosity, and pot life.

+ Manage material control for time- and temperature-sensitive materials by tracking expiration dates, remaining shelf life, in-time and out-time, and maintaining inventory of kits and materials in freezers, the lab, layup room, prime room, and shop floor.

+ Issue weekly wedge crack test travelers to the appropriate processing line, record received results, and maintain automated reports that summarize averages and test outcomes.

+ Perform general laboratory support activities including inventorying, ordering, and stocking lab supplies, maintaining and cleaning equipment, and keeping the lab clean and organized.

+ Check certifications of received goods, issue test travelers, print labels, inventory expired products, and file and organize certifications, purchase orders, and test documentation.

+ Use gauges, measuring equipment, and other detection methods to verify product conformance to specifications.

+ Maintain the integrity of the Quality Management System at all times in relation to quality assurance processes and documentation.

+ Work independently to meet commitments, adapt to changes, manage workload effectively, and maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.

Essential Skills

+ High school diploma or GED.

+ At least 1 year of experience in an inspection environment.

+ Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.

+ Ability to write clear and simple correspondence and present information effectively in one-on-one and small group settings.

+ Ability to solve practical problems and work with a variety of concrete variables where limited standardization exists.

+ Ability to interpret written, oral, diagram, and schedule instructions and apply common sense understanding to carry out tasks.

+ Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

+ Strong organizational skills and the…