Lead Formulation Technician

Lead Manufacturing Technician

When you're a part of the team at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you'll do important work in our mission to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer, like helping customers in finding cures for cancer, protecting the environment or making sure our food is safe. Your work will have real-world impact and you'll be supported in achieving your career goals!

The Sunnyvale site is seeking an expert and highly technical Lead Manufacturing Technician to be responsible for production and troubleshooting of the Column Manufacturing team. This role will focus on ensuring product performance, calculating yields to improve efficiency, and troubleshooting both material and equipment issues. As a lead formulation technician, they will lead column production for a number of product families including ion, carbopac, protein and other types of columns. Additionally, the lead technician will work on improving the resolution to column packing and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, hands-on manufacturing experience, and leadership capabilities to drive process improvements and ensure the highest quality of column production.

Day in the Life:

• Conduct mechanical, thermal, and chemical analyses to evaluate material properties and performance of columns.
• Diagnose and resolve product performance issues and equipment malfunctions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement corrective actions and long-term solutions.
• Optimize packaging column solutions and ensure efficient equipment operation.
• Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, and Production teams to integrate new products into existing production lines.
• Maintain accurate records of column testing and repairs. Prepare detailed reports on findings, corrective actions, and performance improvements.
• Handle NAV to perform transactions, close work orders and generate related reports.
• Coordinate production in accordance with the production schedule, equipment availability, and training opportunities.
• Actively participate in shift pass downs using clear communication and use email and Microsoft Office suite files for communication.
• Provide leadership and guidance to junior technicians, ensuring proper training in techniques, procedures, batch records, and adherence to standard methodologies.
• Supervise work quality and productivity within the work center.
• Train personnel on the setup, operation, and maintenance of Manufacturing and Facilities equipment.
• Coordinate with Facilities and Engineering teams to maintain the operability of Manufacturing equipment and facilities.
• Assist in the preparation and pre-approval review of Master Batch Records.

Education Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• BS degree in Chemistry or equivalent knowledge and experience in manufacturing environment is beneficial.

Experience:

2-3 years of experience in resin polymer blending, testing, and troubleshooting in a manufacture environment.

Hands on experience with equipment troubleshooting and process optimization in packaging and production.

Experience with ICSP & HPLC testing system & column packing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership ability in mentoring and guiding technicians.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills, collaborating effectively across multiple cross-functional departments.
• Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills, with a proactive approach to resolving equipment and material-related challenges.
• Familiarity with manufacturing and testing software, as well as data collection systems.
• Experience in working with supervisors to identify issues, resource needs, and improvement opportunities, and offering suggestions for resolutions and improvements.
• Consistent, attentive, and accurate in carrying out responsibilities.
• Able to complete complex production work orders according to established procedures.
• Proficient in analyzing data, deriving conclusions, and preparing reports based on findings.
• Adherence to ISO 9001 guidelines and corporate quality policies to ensure high-quality standards.
• Commitment to following EH&S safety requirements and actively participating in safety improvement activities.
• Continuous identification of areas for improvement and proposal of countermeasures.
• Maintenance of a clean and organized laboratory environment.

Additional Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Good Laboratory and Manufacturing Practices and standards.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Strong mathematical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read and understand written procedures (SOPs) and follow verbal instructions.
• Strong punctuality and attendance record.
• Familiarity with hand tools such as wrenches, torque drivers, tweezers, etc.
• Willing to learn and apply Lean manufacturing and PPI Continuous Improvement tools.
• Ability to work independently with occasional assistance.
• Understanding of production schedules and ability to prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Hands-on experience in a chemistry laboratory is preferred.
• Knowledge of chromatography software is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $29.43–$35.50.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees' Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount