Fabric Development Technician

Numat•Chicago, IL

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Fabric Development Technician builds the samples our team depends on — for both our current technology and the next generation we're developing. You'll work hands-on with the core fabric technology behind Numat's protective materials: producing swatches and test articles, running our in-house performance test, supporting pilot and external production runs, and managing the flow of samples and data in and out of the group. You'll work day to day with our R&D engineers and scientists, who rely on the quality and consistency of what you produce to know what the technology can do. It's a hands-on role with real ownership and a lot of variety — bench work, pilot production, testing, equipment, and sample logistics.

Requirements

An associate's or bachelor's degree in a technical field (materials, chemistry, engineering, or related) — or equivalent hands-on technician experience.
Hands-on laboratory or production experience, including sample fabrication, preparation, or fixturing.
Hands-on experience operating processing or production equipment, with the mechanical comfort to set it up, run it, and adjust it.
Strong organization and data discipline; comfort owning inventory, records, and chain-of-custody.
Mechanical aptitude for routine equipment maintenance and basic troubleshooting.
A precise, procedure-driven work style and a team-first attitude.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with internal customers
A strong team player, able to interact and cooperate with the R&D, Operations, Quality and Business teams
Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods; ability to bend, stoop, reach and lift up to 50 pounds
Perform other duties as assigned by leadership

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with quality control and assurance principles is favorable

Responsibilities

Build samples and run tests
Cut, prepare, and condition swatches and test articles to defined, repeatable methods.
Run our in-house performance proxy test; capture, record, and report results cleanly.
Perform small-scale lamination property testing, and prepare and support material for pilot and external production runs.
Prepare and analyze materials according to documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Run the pilot line equipment
Operate Numat's pilot processing equipment hands-on — the pilot spunbond and pilot meltblown nonwoven lines and the lamination machine — including setup, production runs, changeovers, and routine adjustments.
Produce in-house nonwoven and laminated material on this equipment for current- and next-generation development.
Manage samples, data, and inventory
Prepare, document, and ship samples to external testing partners, and receive and reconcile samples coming back from external trials.
Enter test and run data accurately and on time so the engineers and technologists work from clean information.
Maintain the sample library and material/consumable inventory with full chain-of-custody, so every sample maps to the right material, condition, and test.
Maintain equipment and improve the workflow
Observe and comply with company health, safety, and quality policies
Perform first-line equipment maintenance — routine preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting and repair, and coordinating vendor service — and keep equipment ready and calibrated in partnership with the group's metrology program.
Drive workflow improvements: find and implement better ways to prepare samples, raise throughput, and organize the lab, and help scale the sample workflow as volume grows.
Remain flexible and adapt to variety on the job (e.g., effectively handling unexpected situations and changing priorities)