Chemical Laboratory Technician - 1st Shift

Howmet Aerospace•Fullerton, CA

About The Position

The Chemical Laboratory Technician supports and maintains chemical process controls for aerospace surface treatment operations. The role samples, tests, analyzes, documents, and monitors chemical solutions used in anodizing, passivation, cleaning, etching, conversion coating, and other chemical finishing operations. The technician performs routine analysis of process tanks, verifies that chemical concentrations and operating parameters meet specifications, identifies out-of-control conditions, and works with Engineering, Quality, and Production to maintain stable and compliant processes. The position requires careful laboratory practices, accurate documentation, attention to detail, and strict compliance with chemical safety requirements. Work may involve hazardous and highly corrosive acids and alkaline solutions. The employee must complete required safety and process-specific training before independently handling hazardous chemicals, and must follow company EHS procedures, SDS instructions, emergency-response procedures, PPE requirements, and chemical-handling rules. The technician works in laboratory and manufacturing environments, collects samples from production tanks, and may stand or walk for extended periods. The role supports audits, troubleshooting, corrective actions, and continuous improvement related to chemical processes and records.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least 3 years of experience working with chemical processing, plating, anodizing, passivation, or a metal-finishing laboratory.
Ability to safely work with corrosive acids, alkaline solutions, and other industrial chemicals.
Ability to perform mathematical calculations involving concentration, dilution, chemical additions, and solution preparation accurately.
Ability to read and follow written laboratory procedures, work instructions, process specifications, and safety requirements.
Strong documentation and recordkeeping skills.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and electronic data-entry systems.
Strong attention to detail and ability to recognize abnormal test results and process trends.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire. Visa sponsorship is unavailable.
Ability to work in laboratory and manufacturing environments.
Ability to wear required PPE, including chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses or goggles, face protection, protective clothing, and other required equipment.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while collecting process samples.
Ability to safely transport small chemical samples between production tanks and the laboratory.
Ability to lift and handle laboratory supplies and chemical containers within established company safety limits.
Must successfully complete required chemical safety and process-specific training before independently handling hazardous chemicals.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree, technical certificate, or college coursework in Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Materials Science, Laboratory Science, or a related technical field.
Previous experience in a chemical laboratory, metal-finishing facility, plating operation, aerospace manufacturing environment, or similar industrial environment.
Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with Engineering, Quality, Production, and EHS personnel.
Experience performing chemical titrations and solution concentration analysis.
Hands-on experience with chemical bath analysis for anodizing and/or passivation processes.
Experience with acid/base titration, pH meters, conductivity meters, hydrometers or density measurements, and laboratory analytical equipment.
Experience working with controlled processes involving hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and other strong acids.
Familiarity with aerospace special-process specifications and customer requirements.
Familiarity with AS9100 and Nadcap chemical-processing requirements.
Experience maintaining chemical analysis logs, bath-control records, SPC or control charts, and process-control documentation.
Experience supporting audits and corrective-action investigations.

Responsibilities

Collect representative samples from chemical processing tanks according to established frequencies and procedures.
Perform routine chemical analysis of production solutions used in anodizing, passivation, cleaning and degreasing, acid etching, deoxidizing/desmutting, conversion coating, and other chemical finishing processes.
Test and monitor solutions that may involve hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, and mixed acid solutions, as applicable to approved company processes.
Perform concentration testing using titration, pH measurement, conductivity measurement, specific gravity or density testing, and other required analytical methods.
Monitor bath concentration, contamination levels, pH, temperature, conductivity, and other specified parameters.
Compare analytical results with established process specifications, control limits, and operating ranges.
Identify and promptly communicate out-of-specification or abnormal chemical conditions to Engineering, Quality, and Production.
Calculate required chemical additions or adjustments according to approved procedures and process controls.
Coordinate with authorized personnel to make chemical bath additions and corrections.
Retest adjusted solutions and verify acceptable operating ranges before production release when required.
Maintain accurate laboratory records, chemical analysis logs, tank histories, and electronic records.
Maintain chemical control charts and identify trends indicating bath deterioration, contamination, or process instability.
Support investigations of chemical processing problems, nonconforming product, customer concerns, and corrective actions.
Assist Process or Manufacturing Engineering with troubleshooting and continuous improvement of chemical processes.
Prepare and standardize laboratory reagents and solutions according to approved procedures.
Maintain laboratory equipment, glassware, testing instruments, and calibration or verification records.
Monitor laboratory chemical inventory, reagent expiration dates, and required consumables.
Maintain Safety Data Sheets and follow chemical labeling, storage, handling, and disposal requirements.
Follow applicable Environmental, Health & Safety requirements and use required PPE and engineering controls when handling hazardous materials.
Support internal, customer, AS9100, Nadcap, and other applicable special-process audits by providing chemical-control records and objective evidence.
Participate in continuous improvement activities related to chemical processing, laboratory controls, documentation, and process capability.