Foundry Lab Technician

Foundry Lab Technician

Position Description:

Manage the primary responsibilities for the Metals Application Laboratory and support the critical activities of the internal R&D team, external sales team, and internal business lines which contribute to the North American (USA, Canada, & Mexico) business unit. A Metals Application Laboratory Technician’s key roles are tactical (100%) in nature. Critical competencies include organizational skills, communication skills, prioritization skills, breadth of product line knowledge, and fundamental foundry operations. Primary activities include melting, pouring, mold-making, cleaning, casting characterization, and administrative reporting.

Ideal role for someone with foundry experience. Experience with working on QC/bench work/laboratory experience is necessary for days when there are no pourings.

- Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

o Participate and manage all Metals Application Laboratory (TSL) resources. Prioritize, schedule, and complete casting production, characterization, and corresponding follow-up reports.

o Ensure work associated with Laboratory Work Requests (LWR) meets objectives and that the resulting deliverables are analyzed and found to be consistent with known product portfolio attributes.

o Complete and submit weekly & monthly reports to business unit managers (R&D, Market Managers, etc.) and the Director of Research & Development summarizing the status of individual projects and resources applied.

o Serve as the key point of contact for all testing related activities, investigative quality activities, and ISO/RC compliance activities. Maintains all MAL equipment, supplies, samples, and inventoried materials (sand, resin, additives, etc.). Maintains records and completes corresponding equipment calibrations and maintenance according to established protocols.

o Ensures that all workspaces are maintained and meet company safety and housekeeping requirements. Acts safely and promotes safety awareness to self and peers.

o Knows, develops, and enhances new test methods and established practices & procedures. Completes analytical studies to ensure that all methods are capable. Conducts time studies to establish internal costing structures.

o Maintain a high level of generalized knowledge regarding business unit’s four primary technology platforms: cold box, no-bake, coatings & additives, and feeding systems & metallurgy.

o Coordinate third party laboratory testing with outside firms.

– Secondary Roles & Responsibilities:

o Complete special assignments to improve laboratory equipment & testing capabilities.

o When appropriate prepare, distribute, and present a limited number of scientific reports and papers for internal communication to the business unit and external communication to the professional community.

o Any other duties as assigned by the Research & Development Manager.

Preferred Education & Experience Levels:

o Bachelor or Technical degree in Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy, or similar field with 3+ years of laboratory or field experience.

o Degree may be substituted with equivalent work experience in industry or applied field.

o Experience with QC /bench work /laboratory experience is necessary.

Preferred Skills & Know How:

o Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in either a team driven or independent environment.

o Excellent organizational, prioritization, administrative, and time management skills.

o Attention to detail while demonstrating the ability to see the big picture.

o Utilization of Microsoft CRM (or equivalent application) and standard MS Office tools.

o Familiarity with advanced statistical tools (MiniTab®, MatLab®, SAS®, etc.).

o Familiarity with SAP and / or other ERP software platforms.

o Must be able to life 50 pounds.