Principal Lab Technician

Ecolab•Kennesaw, GA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Ecolab is seeking a Principal Lab Technician to join their team in Kennesaw, GA. This role involves leading hands-on testing and method development to support product development, product line maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The technician will collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute technical insights, and play a key role in refining test protocols and delivering data that drives customer value. The position involves conducting application and laboratory testing for customer-driven and internal technical projects, including analytical testing, material evaluation, and equipment performance assessments. Responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, summarizing findings in technical reports, and sharing results with internal and external stakeholders. The role also requires maintaining and managing databases of technical reports and documentation, preparing for and participating in customer tours and team meetings, and building networks to coordinate specialized testing. A key aspect of the role is documenting and improving test methods, developing new protocols, and enhancing precision and accuracy through statistical experiments. Additionally, the Principal Lab Technician may lead small-scale technical projects focused on product improvements, cost savings, or regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to lab safety and 5S standards. Specific technical duties include developing, validating, maintaining, and verifying performance of spectroscopic models (e.g., Raman and Near-Infrared [NIR]) for raw material characterization, in-process monitoring, and finished goods release, or supporting the integration of spectroscopic methods into routine laboratory testing and training team members on model use. The role also involves training, mentoring, and providing technical guidance to laboratory technicians, ensuring competency in test methods, equipment use, data integrity, and adherence to SOPs and GMP requirements. Finally, the technician will support the release of raw materials (RM), work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods (FG) by reviewing data, performing confirmatory or non-routine testing, and ensuring results meet established specifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, or relevant science discipline
4 years of lab-based experience in manufacturing
Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint )
Immigration sponsorship is not offered for this role

Nice To Haves

Proficiency and expertise in utilizing, calibrating, and maintaining technical laboratory equipment
Experience with statistical methods for data analysis and trending
Strong interpersonal communication skills, including excellent oral and technical writing capabilities
Experience multi-tasking and manage numerous projects simultaneously

Responsibilities

Conduct application and laboratory testing to support customer-driven and internal technical projects, including analytical testing, material evaluation, and equipment performance assessments
Collaborate with cross-functional product development teams to generate, record, and communicate laboratory data that supports innovative solutions and product improvements
Gather and analyze data, summarize findings in technical reports, and share results with both internal stakeholders and external customers
Maintain and manage databases of technical reports and documentation
Prepare for and participate in customer tours and team meetings, contributing technical insights and updates
Build strong internal and external networks to coordinate specialized testing and convert findings into actionable, customer-facing reports
Document and improve test methods, developing new protocols and enhancing precision and accuracy through statistical experiments
Lead small-scale technical projects focused on product improvements, cost savings, or regulatory compliance, while ensuring adherence to lab safety and 5S standards
Develop, validate, maintain, and verify performance of spectroscopic models (e.g., Raman and Near-Infrared [NIR]) used for raw material characterization, in-process monitoring, and finished goods release OR Support integration of spectroscopic methods into routine laboratory testing and assist in training team members on model use and interpretation
Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to laboratory technicians, ensuring competency in test methods, equipment use, data integrity, and adherence to SOPs and GMP requirements
Support the release of raw materials (RM), work-in-process (WIP), and finished goods (FG) by reviewing data, performing confirmatory or non-routine testing, and ensuring results meet established specifications