Research & Development Technician - MSVD Process Tech

Research & Development Technician

The Vacuum Coatings Product Development Group at Vitro Architectural Glass' Glass Technology Center is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support its research and development activities. The primary purpose of the Technician role is to execute experiments in support of R&D or non-R&D customers.

The working environment is an industrial research and development laboratory setting in Cheswick (Pittsburgh metropolitan area), PA, but occasional work in manufacturing facilities (in USA, Mexico, and possibly elsewhere) will be required (travel usually occurring over multiple weekdays at a time, but some weekend travel may occasionally be required).

Job responsibilities:

• Processing (e.g., cutting, labeling, heating) of coated glass samples
• Making measurements of various physical properties (e.g. mechanical/scratch resistance properties, temperature measurements using thermocouples, spectral/color properties using spectrophotometers, ellipsometric properties using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometers, electrical properties such as sheet resistance using four-point resistance probe, carrier density/carrier mobility using Hall Effect probe, work function using Kelvin probe), and other evaluations (e.g. visual quality) of such samples
• Chemical/environmental durability testing of coated glass samples and interpreting results
• Entry of data into electronic spreadsheets, plotting/charting of such data, and interpreting results
• Documentation of procedures, results, and data in electronic laboratory notebook
• Writing test reports
• Deposition of thin film coatings using vacuum coating equipment (after training from experienced personnel)
• Adjustments, maintenance, and repair of vacuum coating equipment and/or other electrical/mechanical equipment (after training, and with assistance/coaching where needed)
• Occasionally assisting other personnel with work related to diagnoses of samples returned from customers or manufacturing facilities (including opening wooden crates, boxes, pallets, helping to move/lift/disassemble/cut-down insulated glass window units for examination and testing, assisting with photography of large and small glass samples, etc.)
• Other duties as appropriate for a laboratory technician position

Required Characteristics/Skills/Experience

• HS/GED plus 5 years relevant laboratory experience OR
• A.S. degree in closely related field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc) plus 1-year relevant laboratory experience OR
• B.S. degree in science field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc)
• Adherence to safe work practices and compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and security protocols as verbally specified by Vitro personnel and/or in written procedures
• Aptitude and motivation to do hands-on laboratory work (cut/process/measure samples, test chemical/mechanical durability of coated glass samples, prepare thermocouples and make temperature measurements, make observations/draw conclusions, plot data in appropriate types of charts, and accurately organize/document results in spreadsheets/reports and electronic laboratory notebook)
• Team player: ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with a variety of science and technology professionals (technicians, engineering specialists, scientists, engineers)
• Organized
• Good balance between being attentive to details while completing tasks/jobs in a timely fashion
• Aptitude and willingness to continue to learn and expand upon skill set
• Flexibility to participate in other duties, as assigned
• Initiative and resourcefulness; solicits advice/expertise/experience of other personnel when necessary.
• Looks for, and tackles, the next job that needs to be done without necessarily being told, and asks supervisor regarding prioritization of current/upcoming job(s), as appropriate
• Ability to work independently without frequent/close supervision, as appropriate, and also in team settings
• Ability to multi-task without compromising safety or quality of work
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Updates supervisor, at appropriate times and frequencies, regarding status of work
• Shares ideas (interpretation of experimental results, suggests next experiment(s) and/or new experimental approaches as appropriate, suggests opportunities to improve work practices, etc.)
• Adequate proficiency with Microsoft Windows, MS Excel, and MS Word software; ability to accurately organize, enter, and plot data in MS Excel spreadsheets
• Aptitude and willingness to continually learn from other personnel/resources and expand skill set
• Reliability and punctuality
• Honesty and ethical behavior (e.g., keeps accurate timesheets, expense reports, etc.)
• Acceptable color vision
• Ability to occasionally lift/move samples or other objects up to about 45 pounds in weight, with assistance from one or more other persons and/or using assistive devices (e.g., pallet jack, vacuum lift assist)