At Greene, Tweed, you'll find the cutting-edge technology, world-class polymer expertise and endless advancement opportunities you'd expect from a multi-national industry leader. You'll find them all in an environment that embraces diversity in people and opinions, moves decision making to the point of impact, and celebrates your success.

If you enjoy continuous learning and are excited about working with and creating technological solutions, explore career opportunities with Greene, Tweed.

Job summary:  With little to no supervision, interacts directly with personnel  across the ATG Plastics team, the R&D Support teams and Business teams to set up, operate and trouble shoot a variety of standard and complex mechanical tests and associated equipment, including processes to conduct, record and report out on R&D test results. Tech will quantify mechanical and thermomechanical properties of experimental formulations to support R&D development of new materials.  Technician will “own” maintenance, calibration, operation and general troubleshooting of mechanical test equipment, and thermal/mechanical equipment as well.  Technicians will also work in partnership with scientists and engineers to recommend  and implement step change improvements to R&D testing protocol.  Technician will also assess current problem areas and will be flexible in changing responsibilities and procedures to complete tasks, contribute towards and achieve ATG goals.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:  

Primary duty and specialty will be hands on execution and interpretation of plastics testing, standard and nonstandard tests. This includes but is not limited to ASTM /ISO tensile, flex, compression, shear of plastics and films.  Will also entail execution of nonstandard tests including creep, fatigue or failure testing of specific prototype configurations.

Secondary responsibilities will be ability to perform powder blending (weighing, measuring, mixing) and characterization of quality of mix (optical, thermal, mechanical)

Tertiary area of expertise and responsibility will be to perform basic plastics molding operations- injection, compression

Collaboration with scientists/engineers to understand the test method and refine when needed for specific programs. It is also essential that the senior technician be able to interpret the data to determine if there are any issues with the method itself.

Carries out experimental program under guidelines established by the Scientist or Engineer. Carries out and coordinates more complex routine tasks requiring more than one person. Audits own and other colleagues' work to ensure completion of routine tasks to accomplish project/program objectives. Prioritizes own work. 

Applies understanding of the intricacies of the systems and challenges in scaling up processes and identifies potential issues prior to start-up.  Applies detailed understanding of tools and techniques associated with the R&D project/program. Anticipates potential R&D problems and contributes ideas to designs. Identifies needed changes in experiments or work projects, considering which procedures to use.  Identifies key technical roadblocks based on observation from testing, initiates actions or advises supervision. Utilizes given resources to advance technology and deliver results.

Understands and utilizes a diverse set of complex R&D equipment, tools apparatus and, as appropriate, troubleshoots.  Also, has a more extensive understanding of materials, substances and production processes to utilize requisite equipment for manufacturing scale-up, time/cost estimates, material preparation, extrusion and injection molding of test material and assist in the design, creation, assembly of custom test rigs.

Executes experiments and/or processes, anticipating issues.  Coordinates data, sample and information exchange with other labs. With supervisor, plans projects of limited scope and duration. Reports unexpected and erroneous results and works with supervisor to resolve. Makes suggestions for next steps and ways to troubleshoot. Utilizes technical resources to address problems in research and development area.  Analyzes results and provides preliminary conclusions. Makes judgement on validity of data.

Captures data and creates reports.  Documents of all test results and observations providing initial summarized reports of test results.  Communicates unexpected results to the Scientist and discusses suggested improvements.  Maintains clear communications within the team & work group.  Takes the initiative to communicate results to supervisors, customers, and others impacted by R&D work and assists them in understanding, interpreting results and highlighting issues and suggesting possible next steps.

Organizes and smoothly operates the lab. Orders materials, supplies and components as needed to support development activities. Maintains and calibrates mechanical and thermal lab equipment to ensure accuracy and readiness for use. Participates in lab safety incident investigations; Observes and complies with safe lab practices; Anticipates safety issues, makes recommendations and participates in initiatives to improve Safety, Health Environmental lab practices, procedures

Familiar with product stewardship, export control requirements & the need to properly characterize materials and substances; plans own work to ensure compliance with necessary rules and regulations.

Conducts product failure analysis testing including visual inspection.

Uses SAP, email, request management systems, SharePoint and other forms communication to facilitate cross-department  document workflows for ATG (Compliance, IP, FTO , PO, TSCA etc. ).  Also uses similar tools to help facilitate specific to ATG shipping, receiving and updating the current inventory management files.

Required Minimum Qualifications: 

Education:  AS in Science, Chemistry or Plastics Processing/technology preferred; HS degree with 10+ years of equivalent R&D experience required  

Skills and Experience

Significant experience in mechanical testing of plastics, films or composites. ASTM and nonstandard testing experience would be ideal. This includes maintenance of equipment, following work instructions or developing work instructions for revised methods, as well as interpretation of results to ensure reliability of data. Candidates with strong experience in elastomer testing rather than plastics testing may be considered,

Experienced in powder blending/formulations (handling, weighing, g and mixing raw ingredients)

Must be experienced with basic mechanical test equipment and in utilizing and troubleshooting analytical measuring instruments (Instron/MTS, extensometers, environmental chambers, calipers, scales, etc.;). Ability to follow multi-step procedures. Must be able to observe, measure and enter testing results into electronic reporting system.

Working knowledge of polymer compounding/molding equipment and processes.  In depth knowledge of mold operation, testing equipment (i.e.: chemical aging, thermal, etc.;); General mechanical aptitude to perform routine cleaning & maintenance and occasional trouble shooting.

Position requires a strong mathematical and analytical background. This person must be able to solve simple algebraic equations to prepare samples and evaluate results. Also includes calculations of average, std deviations, basic statistical comparisons of sample data.

Demonstrated initiative; a self-starter requiring minimal supervision.

Comfort with uncertainty - nonstandard methods and unexpected results may require iterations on formulations and tests. Proven track record in R&D or development would be key demonstrators of this trait.

Experience in safely handling chemicals. Ability to wear personal protective equipment such as eye, ear protection and foot protection.  Perform all work and duties in a safe manner.

Proficiency in MS Office - Excel

Essential Job Functions

            Physical Requirements:          

                        Standing                                   Frequently (46-100%)

                        Sitting                                      Frequently (46-100%)

                        Lifting                                      Up to 25lbs without assistance

                        Carrying                                   Up to 25lbs without assistance

                        Walking                                   Occasionally (16-45%)

                        Hearing                                     Ability to detect noises with or without corrective device(s)

                        Vision                                      Clarity of vision, with or without corrective lenses

            Mental Requirements:            

                        Problem Solving                       Occasionally (16-45%)

                        Making Decisions                     Ability to make decisions that have a moderate impact

                        Supervise                                  Rarely (0-15%)

                        Interpret Data                           Occasionally (16-45%)

                        Organize                                   Occasionally (16-45%)

                        Read/Write                               Frequently (46-100%)

                        Communication                        Occasionally (16-45%)

            Work Environment

                        High Temperatures                   Occasionally (16-45%)

                        Low Temperatures                    Rarely (0-15%)

                        Noises                                      Loud (manufacturing environment, movement of large equipment)

                        Fumes Exposure                       Occasionally (16-45%)

Additional Information:

Occasional need to work flex shifts as needed for running experiments

Note:  This Job Description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Supervisor.  All requirements are subject to change and updates.

We also provide eligible employees with a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, 401k savings plan, life and disability insurance, tuition assistance and more, to meet the diverse needs of all employees and their family members.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Greene, Tweed is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other federally protected class.

Drug Free Workplace:

Greene, Tweed is a Drug Free Workplace.  Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening and background investigation subject to federal, state, and local laws.

NOTE: Greene, Tweed is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at GT without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of Greene, Tweed, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Greene, Tweed as a result of the referral or through other means.