Research & Development Technician (Vacuum Coatings Process Group)

Vitro Flat Glass•Cheswick, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Vacuum Coatings Product Development Group at Vitro Architectural Glass’ Glass Technology Center is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support research and development activities. The primary purpose of the role is to execute experiments in support of R&D and non-R&D customers. The position is based in an industrial R&D laboratory in Cheswick, in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Occasional work at manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, and possibly elsewhere is required. Travel usually spans multiple weekdays, though weekend travel may occasionally be required. The technician processes coated-glass samples; measures and evaluates their physical, spectral, color, electrical, and other properties; conducts chemical and environmental durability testing; enters, plots, and interprets data; documents procedures and results in an electronic laboratory notebook; and writes test reports. After training, the technician also deposits thin-film coatings using vacuum-coating equipment and may adjust, maintain, or repair that equipment and other electrical or mechanical equipment with assistance or coaching as needed. The role may also involve helping diagnose samples returned from customers or manufacturing facilities, including opening crates and packaging, helping move or disassemble insulated-glass units for examination and testing, and assisting with photography of glass samples. Other duties appropriate for a laboratory technician may be assigned. The work requires safe, careful, organized execution, collaboration with science and technology professionals, and the ability to work independently as appropriate. Some sample handling requires occasionally lifting or moving objects weighing up to about 45 pounds with assistance or assistive devices.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED plus 5 years of relevant laboratory experience; or an associate degree in a closely related field such as physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, or mechatronics plus 1 year of relevant laboratory experience; or a bachelor's degree in a science field such as physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, or mechatronics.
Adherence to safe work practices and compliance with environmental, health, safety, and security protocols specified by Vitro personnel or written procedures.
Aptitude and motivation for hands-on laboratory work, including processing and measuring samples, testing chemical and mechanical durability, preparing thermocouples, taking temperature measurements, making observations, drawing conclusions, plotting data, and documenting results accurately.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with technicians, engineering specialists, scientists, and engineers.
Organization and the ability to balance attention to detail with timely completion of work.
Flexibility and willingness to learn, expand skills, and participate in other assigned duties.
Initiative and resourcefulness, including seeking advice or expertise when needed and identifying the next task while consulting the supervisor on priorities as appropriate.
Ability to work independently without frequent or close supervision when appropriate, as well as in team settings.
Ability to multitask without compromising safety or work quality.
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Adequate proficiency with Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, and MS Word, including accurately organizing, entering, and plotting data in Excel spreadsheets.
Reliability and punctuality.
Honesty and ethical behavior, including keeping accurate timesheets and expense reports.
Acceptable color vision.
Ability to occasionally lift or move samples or other objects weighing up to about 45 pounds, with assistance from one or more people and/or assistive devices such as a pallet jack or vacuum lift assist.
Ability to travel occasionally to manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, and possibly elsewhere; travel usually occurs over multiple weekdays, and some weekend travel may be required.

Responsibilities

Process coated-glass samples, including cutting, labeling, and heating.
Measure physical properties of samples, including mechanical and scratch resistance, temperature, spectral and color, electrical properties, carrier density and mobility, and work function.
Conduct other sample evaluations, such as visual-quality assessments.
Perform chemical and environmental durability testing of coated-glass samples and interpret results.
Enter data into electronic spreadsheets, plot and chart data, and interpret results.
Document procedures, results, and data in an electronic laboratory notebook.
Write test reports.
After training, deposit thin-film coatings using vacuum-coating equipment.
After training and with assistance or coaching as needed, adjust, maintain, and repair vacuum-coating equipment and other electrical or mechanical equipment.
Occasionally assist with diagnosing samples returned from customers or manufacturing facilities, including opening crates and packaging, helping move, lift, disassemble, or cut down insulated-glass units, and assisting with photography of glass samples.
Perform other duties appropriate for a laboratory technician.
Follow safe work practices and environmental, health, safety, and security protocols.
Keep supervisors appropriately updated on work status and seek guidance on prioritization when appropriate.
Share interpretations of experimental results, suggest experiments or new approaches, and identify opportunities to improve work practices.