PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING TECHNICIAN
About The Position
The Product Development Manufacturing Technician prepares and operates pilot-plant equipment and provides hands-on manufacturing support for product development, product improvement, raw material qualification, process validation, and cost-reduction trials. Working under the direction of the Pilot Plant Supervisor and in coordination with Product Development Engineers and Associates, the Technician stages and accounts for materials, prepares equipment, performs pilot and production trial activities, monitors operating conditions, collects samples, records process parameters and material usage, and supports equipment cleanup and trial closeout. The Technician identifies equipment or process issues, communicates observations in real time, maintains accurate and traceable records, and works in accordance with approved trial plans, safety requirements, quality systems, and established operating procedures. The role also supports manufacturing and Product Development improvement and troubleshooting activities, and may assist the R&D testing laboratory with sample preparation and routine testing when pilot-plant and trial-support workload permits.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required.
- At least 2 years of manufacturing experience required.
- Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and hands-on experience operating, setting up, adjusting, and troubleshooting manufacturing or pilot-scale equipment.
- Ability to perform routine equipment care, identify conditions requiring maintenance or technical support, and promptly communicate those issues to Maintenance.
- Ability to follow trial plans, operating procedures, work instructions, specifications, and safety requirements and accurately document process conditions and observations.
- Ability to monitor operating parameters, recognize abnormal equipment or process conditions, and communicate issues in real time.
- Basic mathematical and computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word, and ability to maintain accurate material, inventory, and trial records.
- Commitment to safe chemical handling and manufacturing practices, including compliance with SDS, OSHA, environmental, and company requirements.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, respond with urgency, and adapt to changing pilot and production trial schedules.
- Ability to work effectively with Product Development Engineers and Associates, manufacturing operators, Quality, Maintenance, and other cross-functional personnel.
- Ability to work independently within established procedures and recognize when equipment, process, safety, or quality issues require escalation.
- Flexibility to work varying hours as required to support pilot and production trials.
- Forklift certification or ability to obtain company-required forklift certification.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree or technical certification in manufacturing, industrial technology, maintenance, process technology, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of manufacturing experience, ideally in coating, converting, calendaring, extrusion, mixing, web handling, or similar continuous manufacturing operations.
- Working knowledge of manufacturing processes from raw-material preparation through finished-product handling.
- Experience working within ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, or similar quality-management systems.
Responsibilities
- Operate pilot-plant manufacturing equipment for product development, product improvement, raw material qualification, process validation, and cost-reduction trials in accordance with approved plans and procedures.
- Prepare, set up, adjust, and clean pilot-plant equipment before, during, and after trials; perform routine equipment care and contact Maintenance when an issue requires its support.
- Monitor equipment operation and process conditions, troubleshoot within established procedures, identify abnormal conditions, and promptly communicate issues requiring technical or maintenance support.
- Support production-scale trials by staging and accounting for raw materials, assisting with equipment and line preparation, collecting samples, performing process checks, recording material usage and process parameters, and submitting samples for testing.
- Maintain accurate and traceable pilot-plant, inventory, OPC, MSO, experimental-material, and trial records.
- Ensure pilot manufacturing activities, protocols, equipment operation, and documentation comply with applicable quality systems and internal requirements, including ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 13485 as applicable.
- Maintain pilot-plant and R&D raw-material and finished-product storage areas in 5S condition, including proper identification, organization, storage, and disposition of trial materials.
- Provide hands-on equipment and trial support for cost-improvement, process-improvement, and troubleshooting activities with Manufacturing and Product Development.
- Handle, store, and dispose of chemicals safely in accordance with SDS, OSHA, environmental, and company requirements, and promote a safe work environment.
- Support the R&D testing laboratory with sample preparation and routine testing when pilot-plant and trial-support workload permits.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
