Lab Technician Level 1

Onyx Specialty Processing•Decatur, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Lab Technician I, you are the foundation of our testing operation. You will receive and log incoming samples, prepare test specimens, run tests across our full test menu, and record the data that becomes our customers' deliverable. This is an entry-level position and we provide all required training. You are not expected to know laboratory testing on day one. You are expected to show up ready to work, take direction well, and build real skill with intention. Training and day-to-day direction come from our experienced technicians and the Quality team. As you demonstrate competency on a test or activity and a member of Quality signs you off, you take that work on independently. Sign-off is earned through demonstrated ability — not handed out with time served. Clear advancement exists for the right person. This seat leads to Lab Technician II or Quality Technician I.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions precisely and consistently.
Strong attention to detail — accuracy in measurements, documentation, and observations.
Reliable attendance and willingness to participate in the rotating weekend shift.
Ability to stand for extended periods, lift samples and equipment, and work in a laboratory environment.
Basic computer proficiency for data entry and work order system use.
Willingness to work with chemicals, acids, and laboratory solutions under proper PPE protocols.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, or technical environment.
Familiarity with ASTM or AMS standards — general awareness is a plus.
Experience in metal finishing, plating, anodize, or aerospace.
Any quality or laboratory certifications.
Follow a written procedure exactly, every time, without shortcuts.
Produce complete, legible, accurate records under a normal production workload.
Recognize when something looks wrong and speak up about it immediately.
Keep a workspace and equipment clean and organized without being asked.
Ask good questions and seek to understand why a procedure exists, not just what it says.
Work as part of a small team where reliability is visible and matters.

Responsibilities

Receive incoming samples and verify they match the accompanying work order documentation.
Log work order information into the laboratory management system: customer name, order number, sample count, required tests, and any special instructions.
Assign unique identifiers to each sample and apply labels for full traceability through the testing process.
Stage samples in designated receiving areas, organized by work order and priority.
Immediately flag any discrepancy between sample condition and the work order — wrong quantity, damaged parts, missing specifications.
Prepare test specimens by cutting, grinding, mounting, and polishing as required by the applicable test standard.
Confirm sample preparation meets specification requirements before handoff: no defects, correct dimensions, proper surface condition.
Prepare test panels for process qualification work including anodize, plating (electroless nickel, zinc, cadmium, chrome), and chemical film tank qualifications.
Maintain organized staging of prepared samples linked to their work orders throughout the prep process.
Keep prep areas, tools, and equipment clean and organized at all times.
Perform tests according to industry standards (ASTM, AMS) and customer specifications.
Work under direct guidance while learning each test. Once Quality has signed off on your competency for a specific test or activity, perform it independently going forward.
Follow all specified conditions and parameters exactly, and flag deviations immediately.
Record all required data on the applicable test worksheet: sample ID, test parameters, equipment used, environmental conditions, start and stop times, and raw observations.
Keep worksheets legible, complete, and accurate. No blank fields. No approximations without notation.
Record data only — determinations are made by the Quality team, not at the Level I position.
Report anomalies, parameter deviations, and unusual observations immediately, and document them on the worksheet.
Operate all lab equipment according to established procedures and manufacturer instructions.
Clean and maintain assigned equipment after each use.
Report equipment malfunctions, abnormal readings, or damage immediately.
Assist with periodic function checks and support the calibration schedule as directed.
Follow all safety protocols and PPE requirements without exception.
Dispose of chemical waste according to established guidelines and applicable regulations.
Report safety concerns, near misses, and incidents immediately.
Maintain a clean, organized, hazard-free work environment at all times.