Research Technician

Colgate • Piscataway, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Research Technician at Colgate-Palmolive’s Global Technology Center in Piscataway, New Jersey, you will operate, change over, and maintain pilot plant production equipment to support product development and scale-up across Personal Care, Oral Care, and Skin Health. Reporting to the Pilot Plant Manager, you will work closely with R&D scientists, process engineers, and supply chain partners to execute trial batches and prove technical concepts. You will carry out daily manufacturing processes under cGMP and EHS guidelines to ensure high-quality batch production, pilot plant safety, and continuous operational excellence.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in a pilot plant, manufacturing, or laboratory production environment.
• Demonstrated mechanical ability to operate, clean, sanitize, and perform routine preventative maintenance on industrial process or packaging equipment.
• Technical ability to operate, run, clean, sanitize, and maintain pilot plant or industrial process equipment.
• Working knowledge of laboratory methods, procedures, and processes.
• Working understanding of cGMP requirements for FDA-covered operations, including records, documentation, housekeeping, and process control.
• Able to stoop, bend, crawl, and reach for extended periods during a shift.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds and frequently move boxes, totes, and bags weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Able to wear all required personal protective equipment.
• Able to ascend and descend ladders and stairs.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in an engineering, science, or technical discipline.
• Experience in an FDA-regulated environment and familiarity with minimum safe behaviors and safety checklists.
• SAP or other related systems background.
• Maintenance and planning background and experience.

Responsibilities

• Weigh raw materials, formulate trial batches, conduct pilot-scale experiments, and fill products for stability, consumer, and clinical batches in partnership with R&D and Supply Chain.
• Operate, monitor, and change over automated pilot processing and packaging equipment; perform minor mechanical troubleshooting and preventative maintenance.
• Conduct sampling and statistical process controls; use internal business systems to plan pilot work; follow GMP standards and complete batch cards, sanitization procedures, and quality documentation accurately.
• Review scheduling plans and coordinate with planning, receiving, and warehouse teams to stage raw materials, maintain pilot supplies inventory, and store waste drums compliantly.
• Maintain pilot plant housekeeping standards and follow environmental health and safety protocols.
• Assist engineering in drafting Standard Operating Procedures and job aids and validating new equipment.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required to support business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Basic life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Disability coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions, subject to eligibility requirements
• At least 15 vacation/PTO days for salaried employees
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave, adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws
• Salaried employees may be eligible for discretionary bonuses and profit-sharing

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED