Technology Laboratory Support Engineer

Ascend Performance Materials • Pensacola, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact. The Technology Laboratory Support Engineer supports the Product Technology Manager with the day-to-day operation of the injection molding and materials testing laboratories. This role coordinates work, helps maintain safe and compliant laboratory operations, supports equipment readiness, and assists with molding and testing activities. The position also provides technical support for field requests and product-development programs by applying polymer science, processing knowledge, laboratory methods, and a structured problem-solving approach. The successful candidate will be an organized, hands-on technical resource who can balance routine laboratory execution with changing business needs, communicate work status clearly, and build strong working relationships across technology, product support, sales, manufacturing, quality, maintenance, and global application teams.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, polymer science, or a related technical discipline.
• 2–7 years of relevant industrial experience; equivalent hands-on laboratory and polymer-processing experience may be considered.
• Experience with injection molding, polymer processing, materials testing, or an industrial laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with polymer chemistry, compounding, engineering thermoplastics, and methods used to evaluate polymer properties.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety, data integrity, equipment control, and technical documentation.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple routine and complex laboratory requests.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting and scientific problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret laboratory and process data and recognize unusual or inconsistent results.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to communicate current status, risks, and timing.
• Ability to work effectively with technicians, engineers, operators, maintenance, quality, and customer-facing teams.
• Understanding of injection molding operations, extrusion or compounding processes, and laboratory testing practices.
• Ability to learn and apply ASTM, ISO, IEC, UL, customer, and internal test requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and laboratory or data-management systems.
• Self-directed, organized, dependable, safety-focused, and willing to work in a hands-on laboratory environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Lean/Six Sigma, DMAIC, root-cause analysis, or continuous-improvement methods is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support planning, prioritization, and coordination of daily activities across the injection molding and materials testing laboratories while serving as the primary engineering resource for day-to-day laboratory execution.
• Coordinate incoming work requests, clarify scope and timing, communicate priorities, and provide status updates for active programs.
• Maintain laboratory organization, 5S standards, material identification, specimen traceability, and accurate records in laboratory systems.
• Perform and/or support injection molding of test specimens, including material preparation, machine setup, mold changes, process adjustments, documentation, and basic troubleshooting.
• Support molding activities associated with product development, application development, material evaluations, and customer requests.
• Perform and/or support physical, thermal, electrical, mechanical, and flammability testing in accordance with approved procedures and applicable ASTM, ISO, IEC, UL, and customer requirements.
• Review test and molding data for completeness, reasonableness, trends, and potential abnormalities before results are released.
• Support equipment readiness through routine checks, calibration coordination, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and communication with maintenance or external service providers.
• Maintain equipment control and supporting documentation to ensure reliable laboratory operations.
• Support ISO/IEC 17025 compliance, internal audits, customer audits, corrective actions, proficiency testing, measurement assurance, and document control activities.
• Follow all company safety, environmental, quality, cybersecurity, and business-conduct requirements.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and specimen traceability to support data integrity and compliance.
• Generate application and product-support data and assist with technical summaries, presentations, and customer-requested information.
• Engage cross-functional teams to support supplier qualification, plant qualification, product-quality investigations, material evaluations, and new application development.
• Solve technical problems using scientific methods, data analysis, root-cause tools, and Lean/Six Sigma principles.
• Train, coach, and provide technical guidance to technicians on molding, testing methods, equipment operation, troubleshooting, and safe work practices.
• Coordinate daily work assignments and provide technical direction to laboratory personnel without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Help develop, verify, validate, and improve test methods, work instructions, laboratory forms, and operating practices.
• Participate in capital, continuous-improvement, and laboratory capability projects from planning through implementation.

Benefits

• Ascend values transparency and fairness in our hiring process.
• We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level