Lab Technician

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position title: Laboratory Technician

Reports to: Regional Technical and Quality Manager

Location: PVNA

Position level: Plant

Management: No direct reports

Department: Technical Services Laboratory / Metrology

The Laboratory Technician performs laboratory analysis, functional testing, and metrology work that supports new-product development, technical-service projects, customer investigations, and quality activities. The role ensures testing is performed safely and exactly to procedure, data and reports are accurate and traceable, laboratory equipment remains calibrated, and controlled records are complete and audit ready.

This is not a "run the test and log the number" job. We are looking for a curious, analytical technician who wants to understand why a part performs the way it does, who spots the result that doesn't fit, and who brings ideas for doing the work better - while holding the line on the procedures that protect our data, our customers, and our people.

Testing & Analysis

• Set up and conduct functional tests for new and existing products in accordance with approved procedures and component-specific requirements.
• Coordinate with Product Development, Engineering, and Quality to establish functional test methods for new products, and prepare work instructions as needed.
• Analyze results using prescribed methods and approved software; identify trends, outliers, and unexpected behavior, and escalation findings with a clear explanation of what was observed.
• Support customer complaint and nonconformance investigations by performing evaluations, documenting evidence (measurements, photos, samples), and contributing to root-cause analysis (5 Why, fishbone, 8D).
• Generate work orders or Experimental Part Requests for testing performed in the Technical Services laboratories in Greenville or Yonkers.

Critical Lab Procedures, Safety & Compliance

• Follow critical laboratory procedures, test methods, and safety requirements exactly as written; never deviate from an approved method without documented authorization.
• Recognize the limits of a method or of your own competence and seek direction before results or safety are compromised.
• Document any deviation, abnormal condition, or out-of-tolerance finding immediately and notify the appropriate lead.
• Maintain sample identification, retention, and traceability from receipt through disposition.
• Maintain safe, orderly, and efficient Technical Services and Metrology laboratory work areas, including correct use of PPE and proper handling of chemicals, pressurized products, and test equipment.

Metrology & Calibration

• Ensure laboratory and metrology equipment is calibrated and maintained according to approved procedures and schedules; coordinate with external calibration providers.
• Support vision systems, melt-index testing, gauge R&R / measurement system studies, and SPC system implementation and upkeep.
• Maintain laboratory materials, supplies, fixtures, and consumables at appropriate levels for uninterrupted operation.

Documentation & Data Integrity

• Record test data in accordance with written procedures, following good documentation practices (complete, legible, contemporaneous, and traceable).
• Prepare reports using approved formats and review all records for accuracy, completeness, and compliance before release.
• Organize and maintain specifications, drawings, test data, reports, and other controlled documents in approved hard-copy and electronic systems.
• Support controlled-document maintenance and internal and external audits.

Customer & Cross-Functional Interaction

• Interact face to face with customers during lab visits, tours, audits, joint testing, and investigation reviews, representing the laboratory and the company professionally.
• Present test results, observations, and limitations clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, in person or virtually.
• Communicate testing status, risks, and required follow-up to Technical Services, Quality, and project stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Engineering to resolve issues quickly and share what the lab is learning.

Priorities, Improvement & Learning

• Manage multiple concurrent requests and adapt quickly when priorities change; re-plan the workload and communicate impacts on other commitments.
• Identify and propose improvements to test methods, fixtures, workflows, and lab efficiency; help validate and document approved changes.
• Pursue ongoing learning in test methods,…