Quality Lab Technician
About The Position
American Appliance Products is seeking a detail-oriented, hands-on Wastewater & Plating Lab Technician to support electroplating operations and environmental systems at its Newport, Tennessee manufacturing facility. The role supports chemical process control, plating quality, wastewater compliance, and operational reliability. The technician performs laboratory analyses and chemical handling, supports electroplating production, operates wastewater treatment systems, inspects and maintains equipment, and documents operating and compliance data. The position requires independent work with minimal supervision, accurate use of computer systems, adherence to safety and quality procedures, teamwork, and compliance with attendance, scheduling, overtime, and production requirements.
Requirements
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field, or a high school diploma with strong relevant experience.
- Ability to pass a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT).
- Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
- Ability to accurately input and retrieve data using computer systems.
- Ability to adhere to attendance, scheduling, and overtime requirements, including call-ins.
- Ability to meet production and operational deadlines.
- Commitment to high safety standards and safe work practices.
- Professionalism, teamwork, and respect in the workplace.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with electroplating or metal-finishing processes.
- Experience with wastewater treatment systems and environmental compliance.
- Experience with laboratory testing and chemical handling.
- Experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Perform chemical analysis on zinc, nickel, and phosphating plating baths; conduct titrations and record chemical additions.
- Perform pH, heavy metals, process-control, and Hull cell testing; prepare and manage chemical solutions and reagents.
- Maintain laboratory chemical inventory, support ordering, and maintain accurate laboratory records and reports.
- Add nickel, acids, caustics, and other chemicals to process tanks; inspect washers, plating lines, and spray nozzles.
- Maintain appropriate flow, filtration, chemical balance, and tank levels; conduct hourly walk-throughs to verify pumps, flow, and tank conditions.
- Retrieve parts from tanks when required, change filters, and support equipment reliability.
- Operate and monitor wastewater treatment and pretreatment systems; maintain pH levels and adjust dosing as needed.
- Conduct sampling, preservation, and analysis for regulatory compliance; support heavy-metal removal and treatment processes.
- Monitor sludge handling systems, filter press operations, pumps, tanks, probes, and controllers; maintain continuous operation of filter press and waste systems.
- Perform scheduled tank dumping and maintain related logs.
- Inspect pumps, filters, probes, and tanks; support preventive maintenance, troubleshoot alarms and system issues, coordinate repairs with maintenance teams, and assist with mechanical adjustments and minor repairs.
- Support multi-stage pretreatment system operations.
- Maintain records of chemical usage, tank dumps, discharge levels, and daily plant readings.
- Support compliance with EPA standards and NPDES permit requirements, as well as internal and external audits and inspections.
- Follow SOPs, work instructions, Quality Management System requirements, safety practices, and 5S and continuous-improvement standards.
- Work independently and with minimal supervision, accurately use computer systems, collaborate professionally, and meet attendance, scheduling, overtime, call-in, and production requirements.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
Associate degree
