Senior Laboratory Technician

Elinor Coatings creates solutions for corrosion, degradation, and fouling through research in surface protection. We value environmental sustainability and conservation and diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and personalities. This role will join a team of researchers in developing new formulations of protective and anti-corrosion coatings for metals. Support long-term federal research contracts in aerospace and ground vehicle support.

The Senior Laboratory Technician serves as a technical expert for environmental durability and corrosion testing, with advanced hands-on expertise in environmental chambers, accelerated weathering, and applicable ASTM test methods. This position ensures technically sound test execution, equipment reliability, and compliance with applicable standards and customer requirements while providing technical guidance and development to laboratory technicians. The role serves as a technical escalation point for complex testing and equipment issues and provides backup support to the Atmospheric Exposure Site Lead as needed.

This position plays a key role in maintaining testing quality, equipment readiness, technician competency, and continuous improvement within Aurora's ISO 9001/AS9100D-compliant laboratory.

Operate andmaintainenvironmental testing equipment, including B117 salt spray, QUV/UV, xenon arc (QSUN), humidity, thermal cycling, and environmental chambers, with demonstratedability to troubleshoot equipment andmaintainoperational readiness.

Independently interpret and apply ASTM, ISO, customer, and other applicable test standards to plan and execute technically sound environmental durability and corrosion testing.

Serve as the technical resource for Lab Technicians, providing hands-on training, troubleshooting support, and guidance on equipment operation, test methods, ASTM requirements, and laboratory practices.

Review test setups, test execution, and results for technical accuracy and compliance with applicable test methods;identify deviations, equipment issues, and potential impacts to test validity.

Serve as the technical escalation point for complex environmental testing and equipment issues, working with engineering, management, and external service providers toidentifyand resolve problems.

Proven experience leading a small technical team, including mentoring, skill development, competency assessment, and supporting technician progression toward independent and advanced operation.

Demonstrated ability to develop, improve, and troubleshoot environmental test methods, equipment procedures, SOPs, work instructions, and test setups.

Background in coatings, corrosion, accelerated weathering, mechanical performance, or other materials durability testing within an industrial or commercial laboratory.

Knowledge of equipment qualification, calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting practices for environmental testing equipment.

Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentor laboratory technicians, and support technician qualification and progression toward independent operation.

Familiarity with outdoor atmospheric exposure programs, including site inspections, specimen installation and removal, environmental monitoring, equipment maintenance, data collection, and field troubleshooting.

Must be a U.S. citizen

Bachelor’s Degree in a STEM related field (Materials Science, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Corrosion Science, etc.)ORMinimum 5-10 years of highly relevant environmental/corrosion testing experience withdemonstratedtechnicalexpertise

Driver’s License in good standing and willing to obtain a North Dakota Driver’s license within 60 days of hire.

Ability to lift 50 pounds.

Salary starting at $75,000+, depending on experience

100% paid employee healthcare, vision, dental, disability and life insurance

Starting PTO is 16 days annually with 14 paid holidays and 12 paid sick days

Voluntary HSA, Flex, Employee Assistance Program and more