Technician Specialist

Job Description

Grace is seeking a Technician Specialist to join our Specialty Catalyst Research and Development team! This role reports to the Sr R&D Lab Supervisor located at our Columbia, Maryland headquarters location. 

This Technician Specialist role will focus on safe and precise work with chemicals as well as mechanical equipment and laboratory instrumentation. In this position, there will be opportunities to develop detailed knowledge of unique industry practices while applying hands on techniques and standard mechanical practices. This role will provide troubleshooting and problem solving situations as well as the opportunity to support continuous improvement pathways through the installation, operation, and maintenance of key lab equipment and infrastructural systems. There is a large focus on both process safety and personal safety, notwithstanding the ability to delve deeper into the specialized niche of research and development polymerization testing – opening the door to real world impact today, tomorrow, and in the future! 

Responsibilities

• Follows safety protocols and standards required for working in a research laboratory environment with highly hazardous materials and processes. 
• Participates in Group and Site related safety activities, trainings, and initiatives. 
• Manages all laboratory safety related activities, manages chemical inventory, performs regular laboratory clean-up and 5S activities.
• Supports all laboratory activities – manages day-to-day operations of the laboratory, including ordering raw materials and lab supplies, processing sample requests, and routine work in a glovebox. 
• Performs laboratory experiments, including glovebox sample preparation and maintenance, polytesting and resin analysis, records data, and observations in SharePoint via excel.
• Installs, operates, maintains, and repairs laboratory test equipment, apparatuses, and systems. 
• Supports preventative, scheduled, and emergency maintenance plans/activities, including engagement in necessary permits and safety paperwork. 
• Assists fellow lab operators/lead technicians, engineers, and scientists with a variety of laboratory tasks.
• Wears PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to chemical/cut resistant glove, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, hearing protection, FR clothing (work shirt or lab coat; field jacket) hard hat. 
• Engages in physical activity: stand, walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lifts up to 25lbs, and climb stairs and ladders.
• Ability to work in a high hazard environment, including adverse weather conditions, elevated spaces, extreme temperatures, and noisy surroundings.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years industry work experience
• Demonstrates an ability to work well in a collaborative team environment. 
• Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong mechanical aptitude – previous experience in machine/mechanical shops, previous hands on laboratory equipment maintenance experience, reliability experience  
• Experience working with/manipulating excel worksheets
• Experience with industry safety practices/programs 
• Strong attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Process Safety experience/exposure/certificates
• Mechanical or chemical engineering experience/certificates 
• Technical laboratory or manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in office-based computer software (MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Background in air-sensitive chemical manipulation preferred (glovebox), experience with reactive materials considered a plus

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
Life Insurance and Disability
Grace Wellness Program
Flexible Workplace
Retirement Plans 
401(k) Company Match – Dollar to dollar up to the first 6%
Paid Vacation and Holidays
Parental Leave
Tuition Reimbursement
Company Donation Match Program
U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)