Engineering Assistant

Summary:

Rogers Corporation is looking for a talented individual to assist in product development through Pilot Line operation, property testing of new and existing materials, as well as research projects with report outs to R&D Engineers and staff.

Essential Functions:

• Operate pilot process equipment daily as part of a dynamic team in a production-like environment.
• Prepare and blend chemical materials for use in pilot-scale experimentation.
• Operate pilot line during experimental trials, and document and report trial observations.
• Maintain pilot equipment, assist in altering processes to achieve goals and troubleshoot processing problems.
• Work extensively with complex computer program to generate equipment run parameters and enter data.
• Inventory management for pilot production. Maintain awareness of inventory levels and take action to replenish levels. This includes chemicals, spare parts and lab supplies.
• Assist in the development, characterization, and optimization of new and existing materials, prepare development formulations for characterization; implement new product characterization methods; and document procedures.
• Assist in running designed experiments and failure analysis assessments.
• Lifting up to 15 lbs consistently, climbing ladders, and moving 50-gallon drums and 50-lb. bags of material with assistance.
• Conduct material testing using complex instruments, such as DSC, TGA, TMA, FT-IR, SEM, Instron, WYCO, TIM, and electrical property measurements, or coordinate testing externally.
• Assist in production scale up for new materials and products, and support transfer of final product to regular production.
• Follow precise instructions and provide quality data within specified timeframes. Take initiative in identifying, reporting, and trouble-shooting problems or inconsistent data and proactively address remediation. Demonstrate flexibility in dealing with shifting priorities.
• Apply basic troubleshooting skills to daily tasks and prioritize and optimize workflow to achieve efficiency.
• Accurate recordkeeping and maintenance of instruments, lab supplies, and work areas. Complete all assignments in a safe and environmentally safe manner.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalency, plus 5+ years' technical experience in a similar work industry; alternately a 2-4 year degree in Chemistry or material related field plus some industrial experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Experience and ability to work with cross-functional development teams Computer and analysis skills (MS Office, internet searches, e-mail)
• Strong organizational skills as applied to hardcopy and electronic databases and files
• Basic understanding of mixing and coating procedures with hands-on experience in product testing
• Self-starter and able to work with minimal support
• Ability to recognize inconsistent or unexpected results or equipment function and proactively address procedures to resolve problem/inconsistency
• Ability to lift 50-55 lbs

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field
• Hands-on experience with mixing and coating operations and with physical testing of polymeric and composite materials
• Demonstrated interest in the application, development, and characterization of polymeric and composite materials
• Knowledge of basic statistics and data analysis