R & D Technician (Engineering)

Job Description

Job Description

General Summary / Position Purpose

The R&D Technician runs the experiments that turn SUPERWOOD — a molecularly densified wood material — from lab results into products. It’s a hands-on technical role at an ARPA-E-backed climate-materials company: you’ll run experimental batches from bench to production floor, operate and troubleshoot process equipment, and generate the clean data the team needs to make decisions.

We’re looking for a tinkerer and experimentalist — curious about how processes work, quick to instrument and optimize, and able to run a lot of experiments fast without letting the data get sloppy — who also likes to build the systems that automate our testing. This is a high-intensity, build-the-company environment; if you take pride in a well-run experiment and a clean dataset, bring energy every day, and want to help build a company from the ground up, this role is built for you.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Runs experimental batches and processes at volume with consistent quality — planning sequencing, controlling variables, and keeping throughput high without sacrificing precision or safety.
• Executes SOPs and new processes, and captures and reports results rigorously — clean notebooks and enough detail that anyone can reproduce exactly what was done.
• Operates, sets up, and troubleshoots process and test equipment — including large machinery (pressure vessels, hydraulic presses, ovens, CNCs) — and helps instrument and tune it for better, more repeatable results.
• Designs and builds new systems and rigs that automate and improve testing, including the wiring, soldering, and basic electronics involved.
• Thinks while working — understands the goal of each experiment, asks good questions, forms and tests hypotheses, and flags variables or SOPs that aren’t working before they compromise a result.
• Supports quality control, including diagnosing product and material failures and developing solutions with the R&D team.
• Fabricates the prototypes, samples, jigs, and fixtures experiments require — to spec and tolerance, using woodworking tools and CNC — and manages sample inventory.
• Keeps the lab and shop organized and maintained: labels and photographs samples for traceability, keeps storage orderly, maintains equipment and work logs, and stays on top of cleaning, ordering, and procurement.
• Follows all safety policies, standards, and regulations; upholds and promotes company Core Values and culture; takes on special projects as directed by your manager; and maintains strict confidentiality.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• One of the following, with enough chemistry and experimental-design grounding to engage in our technical discussions: a BS in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field; an associate’s degree or technical certification in a science/engineering -technology field with 2+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent hands-on lab/R&D experience.
• Proven ability to run and manage lab experiments — including large or repetitive batches — with consistent quality and clean, reproducible data (clear notebooks and records someone else can follow).
• A tinkerer who’s curious about the science: comfortable operating, instrumenting, and troubleshooting equipment; applies scientific and engineering principles to diagnose problems and design tests; asks good questions.
• Excited to build and automate — wants to design and stand up new systems and rigs (e.g., automating water-soak measurements, or a laser measurement system for the NDT MOE setup). Able to solder and comfortable with basic electronics.
• Capable and confident operating large machinery and production equipment (presses, pressure vessels, CNCs) safely, or the aptitude to learn quickly.
• Hands-on fabrication — woodworking and CNC — sufficient to build the samples, jigs, and fixtures experiments require; methodical with unfamiliar materials and tooling. Portfolio a plus.
• Highly organized: labels and photographs samples for traceability and keeps storage, cleaning, ordering, and procurement in good order.
• Team-oriented — brings energy, gets excited about building the company, and lifts the team.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines under pressure, with strong emotional intelligence and humility.
• Fluent in English; able to work onsite 5 days a week in Frederick, MD, including evenings/weekends as deadlines require.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50–75% of the time, with prolonged periods standing at a lab table or operating equipment.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds multiple times a day and push a heavy cart.
• Must be able to navigate various departments of the organization’s physical premises.
• Must be able to identify and understand visual and audio signals.
• Must be able to maneuver small instruments, hand tools, and power tools with precision.
• Must be able to be fitted for, and wear, a respirator.