General Description: To initiate and coordinate research and development programs and assist in engineering and manufacturing projects including rubber and plastic materials, to support the manufacture of high-quality molded components that meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. Manages the activity of 2 lab personnel who’s primary roles are to maintain compound certification and compliance records, and perform material testing activity.

Key Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides technical support on rubber and plastic materials to other company departments:
  • Sales:
    • Serves as a contact for the customer service department in providing technical assistance
    • Participates in direct customer meetings
    • Participates in technical meetings as applicable, such as the Energy Rubber Group
    • Participates in shows, such as MD&M, providing technical support
  • Sales Engineering:
    • Provides accurate material and process recommendations for quotations, and design and specification recommendations toward cost reduction, quality or part performance improvements
    • Provides technical information and data as needed
    • Assists engineering personnel as needed in the evaluation and development of various projects
  • Manufacturing:
    • Assists in establishing quality assurance in Molding by providing cure condition recommendations (time & temperature)
    • Provides technical support for Deflashing by providing low temperature data for rubber compounds and recommendations for deflash conditions
    • Provides technical assistance toward establishing acceptable manufacturing processes, such as:
      • Procedures to mold or demold parts
      • Procedures for mixing rubber compounds and material preparation
      • Procedures for manufacturing processes such as insert preparation and adhesive coating, washing, post curing and other parts processing operations
    • Coordinates with Purchasing the use of high quality, cost effective raw materials:
      • Participates in the approval/disapproval of raw materials used in rubber compounds
      • Participates in the approval/disapproval of custom mixing companies
      • Maintains technical relationships with raw material vendors by participating in meetings and sales rep visits
  • Quality Assurance:
    • Assists in establishing lab test procedures as related to the quality assurance of molded parts
    • Provides qualitative analysis and disposition recommendation of molded parts
    • Provides assistance with part failure analysis
  • Company-wide:
    • Provides technical assistance on environmental, health, and chemical safety issues
    • Provides technical information for internal and external PAI publications

• Initiates and coordinates research and development activities, provide technical assistance and technical information which enhance our customer relationships:
  • Provides technical information, recommendations, data and molded samples through direct customer and sales representative contact
  • Initiates development of rubber compounds and plastic materials to comply with customer specifications, application requirements and manufacturing needs
  • Provides technical and evaluation assistance to the customer or sales representative in situations where a functional application issue involving molded parts produced by PAI exists
• Coordinates the research, development and evaluation of new rubber and plastic materials, process equipment and designs in order to maintain the posture of the company at the forefront of technology and innovation:
  • Develops and evaluates compounds using new materials or methods

Additional Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provides assistance and information on rubber and plastic materials to the Laboratory personnel as required in order to assist the laboratory in providing expedient and accurate technical support and assistance to the company
• Participates in technical groups and/or reviews literature research in order to maintain technical leadership and review of progress in technology
• Performs other duties and assumes accountabilities as apparent or as delegated, including mutually agreed upon objectives

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• Possess in-depth knowledge of the rubber industry and rubber technology
• Proficient with test equipment and knowledgeable about calibration requirements
• Possesses knowledge of Good Documentation Practices and Good Laboratory Practices
• Familiar with relevant ASTM Standards, Military Specs and ISO Standards
• Good Math Aptitude and skilled at statistical analysis
• Life-long learner
• Leads by example
• Regular and consistent attendance

Education:

Required:

• Associate’s Degree in Chemistry or equivalent experience
• 7 years of related work experience in a laboratory and manufacturing environment

Desired:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or related science
• 10 years of related testing experience in a laboratory and manufacturing environment

Benefits offered to all full-time employees 1st of the month following 60 days of employment;

Medical insurance

Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance

Dental insurance

401(k) matching plan

Basic Life insurance

Voluntary Life insurance

LTD/STD insurance

Flexible benefits plan

Vision insurance

Generous PTO plan

Employee savings account (interest paying)

Holiday pay (8) – starts upon hire

Benefits offered after one year of full-time employment;

Employee loan

Biannual profit sharing program