Lab Technician

Lab Technician

This Lab Technician role focuses on performing routine physical tests on woven and non-woven finished fabrics, as well as on incoming chemicals and mixes, to evaluate their physical properties. You will work with coatings and fabrics to determine how they respond to heat, moisture, and stretching, using precise measurement and mathematical calculations. The position involves detailed computer data entry, accurate record keeping, and strict adherence to established specifications, procedures, and testing methods.

This opportunity offers strong benefits and clear paths for advancement into wet chemistry, analytical laboratories, and potentially research and development roles.

• Perform routine physical laboratory tests on woven and non-woven finished fabrics and incoming chemicals and mixes to evaluate physical properties.
• Conduct physical property testing such as measuring shrinkage when coated fabrics are heated to specified temperatures and determining stretch limits before fabric failure when exposed to moisture.
• Use mathematical calculations to determine and record the number of centimeters or other units that fabrics stretch, shrink, or expand under various conditions.
• Carry out computer data entry to document test results accurately and maintain detailed electronic records.
• Maintain thorough and organized record keeping, ensuring that all test data and observations are correctly documented and easily retrievable.
• Recognize and correct errors in data, calculations, and test procedures to maintain high levels of accuracy and quality.
• Read and understand specifications, standard operating procedures, and testing methods, and apply them consistently in daily work.
• Follow established sampling procedures to ensure that tested materials are representative and results are reliable.
• Calculate test results and list them on appropriate forms and documentation according to laboratory standards.
• Use a ruler or tape measure to take precise measurements in inches, fractions of inches, centimeters, and millimeters.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment according to defined procedures to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
• Assist in training new associates by demonstrating proper testing techniques, documentation practices, and safety procedures as needed.
• Support other laboratory areas, including wet chemistry and additional testing functions, by filling in as needed to meet workload demands.
• Work flexible hours, including holidays, weekends, after-hours, callbacks, and during shutdown weeks when required to support production and testing schedules.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues in a tight-knit laboratory environment, maintaining effective communication and teamwork.

• Experience working in an industrial laboratory where physical and chemical testing is performed.
• Ability to perform physical testing on textiles, including evaluating shrinkage, stretch, and other mechanical properties.
• Familiarity with textile testing methods and procedures, including handling woven and non-woven fabrics.
• Proficiency in quality control and quality assurance practices within a laboratory or industrial setting.
• Ability to perform precise measurements using rulers and tape measures in inches, fractions of inches, centimeters, and millimeters.
• Strong mathematical skills to calculate stretch, shrinkage, expansion, and other test results accurately.
• Competence in computer data entry and electronic record keeping for laboratory results and documentation.
• Ability to recognize and correct errors in data, calculations, and testing processes.
• Capability to read, understand, and follow technical specifications, laboratory procedures, and testing methods.
• Skill in calibrating laboratory equipment according to defined procedures.
• Willingness and ability to work holidays, Saturdays, Sundays, after hours, on callbacks, and during shutdown weeks when required.
• Comfort working in close proximity with other team members in a busy laboratory environment.
• Ability to perform wet chemistry and support other laboratory areas as needed.

• AS or BS degree in Chemistry or Textiles is…