R&D Technician

Summary

Title: R&D Technician

Location: Chicago, IL


Compensation: Competitive salary and equity package

Benefits include: Family Health, Dental, Vision; Flexible PTO, FSA Benefits, 401K Savings Plan, Paid Parental Leave, and Long-term Disability Insurance

Reports to: Director of Development

The Company

Numat is a global leader in the field of precision chemistries. Numat's solutions are changing the way industries around the world capture and separate hazardous chemicals that negatively impact human health and the environment.


Numat has been at the forefront of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) research and production for over a decade, and is the first company to successfully commercialize MOFs. The company's world-class platform integrates MOFs into existing products and processes, merging chemistry innovation with manufacturing at industrial scale.


Through bold and transformative chemistry, Numat helps its global customers and partners make meaningful progress toward their net zero and innovation objectives. Be a part of something bigger, join our team.

Position Overview

The R&D Technician is a hands-on R&D role at the center of our development lab - building the experimental samples our team depends on, for both our current technology and the next generation we're developing. You'll work with the core fabric technology behind Numat's protective materials: producing swatches and test articles for experiments, running our in-house performance test, supporting pilot and external production runs, and managing the flow of samples and data in and out of the group.

You'll work day to day with our R&D engineers and scientists, who rely on the quality and consistency of what you produce to know what the technology can do. In a development environment, a well-made, well-documented sample is what makes an experiment trustworthy - that discipline is the heart of this role.

It's a hands-on role with real ownership and a lot of variety - bench work, pilot production, testing, equipment, and sample logistics.

Responsibilities

You will work on a varied set of instrumentation/projects and have a diverse set of responsibilities including:

Build experimental samples and run tests

• Cut, prepare, and condition swatches and test articles to defined, repeatable methods in support of the group's experiments and development trials.
• Run our in-house performance proxy test; capture, record, and report results cleanly.
• Perform small-scale lamination property testing and prepare and support material for pilot and external production runs.
• Prepare and analyze materials according to documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Run the pilot line equipment

• Operate Numat's pilot processing equipment hands-on - the pilot spunbond and pilot meltblown nonwoven lines and the lamination machine - including setup, development runs, changeovers, and routine adjustments.
• Produce in-house nonwoven and laminated material on this equipment for current- and next-generation development.

Manage samples, data, and inventory

• Prepare, document, and ship samples to external testing partners, and receive and reconcile samples coming back from external trials.
• Enter test and run data accurately and on time so the engineers and technologists work from clean information.
• Maintain the sample library and material/consumable inventory with full chain-of-custody, so every sample maps to the right material, condition, and test.

Maintain equipment and improve the workflow

• Observe and comply with company health, safety, and quality policies.
• Perform first-line equipment maintenance - routine preventive maintenance, basic troubleshooting and repair, and coordinating vendor service - and keep equipment ready and calibrated in partnership with the group's metrology program.
• Drive workflow improvements: find and implement better ways to prepare samples, raise throughput, and organize the lab, and help scale the sample workflow as volume grows.
• Remain flexible and adapt to variety on the job (e.g., effectively handling unexpected situations and changing priorities).

Qualifications

Hands-on experience in an R&D or development laboratory environment is strongly preferred - supporting experiments through sample fabrication, preparation, testing, or fixturing, and working to documented methods.

• An associate's or bachelor's degree in a technical field (materials, chemistry, engineering, or related) - or equivalent hands-on technician experience.
• Hands-on experience operating processing or lab-scale equipment, with the mechanical comfort to set it up, run it, and adjust it.
• Strong organization and data discipline; comfort owning inventory, records, and chain-of-custody.
• Mechanical aptitude for routine equipment maintenance and basic troubleshooting.
• A precise, procedure-driven work style and a team-first attitude.
• Familiarity with quality control and assurance principles is favorable.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with internal customers.
• A strong team player, able to interact and cooperate with the R&D, Operations, Quality and Business teams.
• Ability to walk or stand for prolonged periods; ability to bend, stoop, reach and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.

Work Authorization

This position is not eligible for immigration support now or in the future (including filing employment-based visa petitions or permanent residence sponsorship).

NOTE: NO AGENCIES

Numat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or an unfavorable discharge from military service. We at Numat are committed to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Illinois Human Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.