R&D Technician

The R&D Technician is a hands-on technical position supporting the development, evaluation, and improvement of additive manufacturing materials, processes, equipment, and prototypes. This position works closely with scientists, engineers, and other members of the Customer Development Partnerships team to execute experiments, prepare and evaluate materials and components, build and test prototypes and subassemblies, and generate reliable technical data.

The R&D Technician will translate experimental plans, technical drawings, specifications, and established test methods into practical laboratory and development activities. The position requires strong attention to detail, sound technical judgment, accurate documentation, and the ability to identify unexpected results, equipment issues, material inconsistencies, and potential design or process improvements and communicate them to the appropriate members of the R&D team.

• Execute R&D experiments and development activities involving additive manufacturing materials, printing processes, equipment, and prototype components.
• Prepare resin formulations, test specimens, printed samples, cast samples, and other materials or components for experimental evaluation.
• Operate laboratory, testing, and manufacturing equipment in accordance with established procedures and experimental requirements.
• Conduct material, process, and component testing using appropriate measurement and analytical equipment and established test methods.
• Perform printing trials and other process experiments to evaluate new materials, parameters, designs, and manufacturing approaches.
• Execution of prototype printing and processing for R&D collaborations
• Use the MES system to track R&D prints from creation and to ensure end delivery for development partners
• Create and Manage builds in Construct
• Perform Quality Control inspection of parts and defect reporting
• Perform printer and post process equipment maintenance and upkeep for R&D efforts
• Support the setup, modification, calibration, and troubleshooting of prototype equipment, test fixtures, and experimental systems.
• Identify unexpected equipment behavior, material performance issues, dimensional or functional discrepancies, and other technical issues encountered during development activities.
• Work with engineers and scientists to troubleshoot problems and evaluate potential solutions or process changes.
• Collect, record, organize, and analyze experimental and test data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Maintain clear and complete documentation of experimental procedures, observations, results, equipment settings, and relevant deviations.
• Communicate experimental results, technical observations, and potential issues to R&D team members.
• Assist with development and improvement of test methods, experimental procedures, and laboratory processes.
• Assist in identifying opportunities to improve material performance, manufacturing processes, equipment operation, test methods, and experimental workflows.
• Maintain laboratory and R&D work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.
• Maintain appropriate laboratory records, equipment documentation, and material information as required.
• Follow established safety procedures, including requirements related to laboratory equipment, chemicals, mechanical systems, and other potential hazards.
• Perform other technical duties in support of R&D projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or at least two years of relevant work experience required.
• Experience working in a laboratory, engineering, manufacturing, research and development, testing, or other technical environment preferred.
• Experience with additive manufacturing, 3D printing, polymers, resins, coatings, adhesives, materials testing, or related technologies preferred.
• Experience operating laboratory, analytical, measurement, testing, or manufacturing equipment preferred.
• Experience supporting prototype development, engineering testing, or new product development preferred.
• Familiarity with polymers, resins, coatings, adhesives, or other engineered materials.
• Experience with material or mechanical testing methods.
• Familiarity with laboratory or analytical equipment such as rheometers, DSC, mechanical testers, or similar instrumentation.
• Experience with 3D printing or other additive manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with prototype assembly, test fixtures, or experimental equipment.
• Familiarity with CAD or other technical design software.
• Experience with…