Senior R&D Technician

Infiltrator Water Technologies•Old Saybrook Center, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Headquartered in Old Saybrook, CT, Infiltrator Water Technologies is the leading provider of engineered plastic chambers, synthetic aggregates, tanks, advanced wastewater treatment systems, and accessories for the onsite/decentralized wastewater and storm water management industries. The majority of Infiltrator products are manufactured from recycled plastic. Founded in 1987, we operate throughout the US and Canada with 8 manufacturing plants in the US, dedicated sales, and corporate team members. Infiltrator is a pioneer in innovative plastic technologies for underground water management. Infiltrator components are used in most onsite septic systems installed in the United States and Canada. Infiltrator is a proud Corporate Partner of Habitat for Humanity and each year donates components for 50 septic systems serving Habitat homes in North America. Infiltrator is committed to advancing the state of the art on all fronts, including product design, manufacturing, materials, wastewater science, marketing, management, and employee development. In other words, we strive to be the best we can be. POSITION OVERVIEW: The Senior R&D Technician plays a pivotal role in independently executing advanced fabrication and testing tasks, acting as a technical expert both in the shop and in the field. This position is responsible for ensuring that prototype builds are of exceptional quality and test procedures are carried out reliably and efficiently. In addition to supporting daily operations, the Senior R&D Technician mentors and guides junior technicians, continuously enhancing processes, tools, and methodologies to drive innovation and improvement. We are seeking a proactive and adaptable individual with a keen eye for detail, patience, and curiosity; a self-starter who thrives in a dynamic environment and enjoys collaborating with diverse teams. The Senior R&D Technician supports the Engineering and R&D shop in constructing and testing product and component prototypes, as well as developing fixtures for structural analysis, market research, and sales support. This role offers the opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge projects and be part of a team that values continuous learning and professional growth. POSITION IMPACT & EXPECTED OUTCOMES: Accelerate prototype development and iteration using proven and new, state-of-the-art fabrication methods Improve reliability and repeatability of R&D testing, applying measurement system evaluations and statistical principles Improve data capture and documentation practices with modern IT tools and systems Expand R&D shop capacity and capability for prototyping both large components and complex functional systems as found in advanced treatment systems Improve fabrication and testing efficiency for faster paced innovation in wastewater treatment systems Strengthen knowledge transfer and technical development for junior R&D Technicians

Requirements

Strong hands-on fabrication skills (wood, plastic, metal)
Experience with mechanical and shop equipment including mills, bandsaws, lathes, jigsaws, table saws, drills, and other fabrication tools
Familiarity in the trades (carpentry, plumbing, mechanical, etc.)
Ability to read and interpret drawings, schematics, and CAD outputs
Report generation, editing & revisioning with MS Office software
Technical troubleshooting and problem-solving
Leadership through influence and mentoring
Technical training or equivalent hands-on experience in fabrication, construction, or mechanical field
Strong understanding of safe shop practices and field work requirements; forklift license preferred or ability to obtain certification
Valid driver's license
4–8+ years in fabrication, R&D support, construction, or similar environment
Demonstrated experience leading builds or coordinating field installations/testing

Nice To Haves

Welding ability is a plus (will train)

Responsibilities

Independently fabricate, assemble, and modify complex prototypes and test systems
Lead setup, breakdown, and execution of outdoor and shop-based testing (burial, structural, long-term durability, etc.), including setup and breakdown of data acquisition hardware
Diagnose and resolve issues related to prototype builds, installations, and test setups
Ensure accuracy and consistency of test data collection, video/data capture, report generation, and documentation
Perform post-test duties including data review, video retrieval, organization of results, and preparation of test summaries and reports
Maintain proficiency with tools and software used to capture, organize, and communicate test results
Provide guidance and training to R&D Technicians
Support design teams by translating concepts into manufacturable/testable prototypes
Maintain and troubleshoot shop tools and equipment; ensure proper setup and readiness
Identify and implement improvements in fabrication methods, test setups, and efficiency
Coordinate logistics for test setups (materials, equipment, site preparation)
Stay abreast of new technology that will enhance our ability to visually capture testing moving toward an all-digital system.
Support 2nd off-site test facility with building and testing of prototypes, including water collection for analysis and monitoring systems at facility.