Manufacturing Technician (Operations & Development)

Manufacturing Technician (Operations & Development) | Alcoa Technical Center (New Kensington, PA)

$1,000 Sign-On Bonus Available*

Quick Summary: Hands‑on manufacturing role at the Alcoa Technical Center, operating industrial equipment in an R&D environment to support both production and new aluminum technology development. Rotating 12‑hour shifts, shift differential, overtime, and strong benefits.

About the Role

We are seeking a Manufacturing Technician to support manufacturing at the Alcoa Technical Center, an R&D environment with mid‑scale production capabilities. This role operates at the intersection of manufacturing, laboratory work, and technology development, directly supporting next‑generation aluminum processes and products.

You will perform hands‑on manufacturing and testing using industrial and laboratory equipment, follow structured work and safety requirements, and support both daily operations and development trials. Unlike traditional high‑volume production roles, this position offers direct involvement in process experimentation and scale‑up, helping move innovations from trial to application.

Why Join Us?

This technician role is ideal for people who enjoy variety, problem‑solving, and learning new equipment. You'll develop a broad skill set across production, testing, and development work while collaborating closely with engineers and technical teams. With exposure to innovative processes not found in traditional manufacturing, this role offers hands‑on work with industrial equipment and strong long‑term growth potential.

What You'll Do

Core Responsibilities

• Operate production and laboratory equipment by following work instructions and test plans

• Support manufacturing and fabrication of ceramic powders and electrodes using mixers, presses, furnaces/kilns, mills, and related equipment (role dependent)
• Support manufacturing and operation of electrolysis cells with exposure to high-temperature and molten metal (role dependent)

• Record process data, test results, and observations accurately in logs and databases

• Perform inspections, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting to keep equipment running reliably
• Operate forklifts and overhead cranes (training and certification provided)

• Work safely in industrial and laboratory environments, using required PPE and following safety procedures

• Collaborate with Engineering and technical teams to execute trials and improve processes

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Reliable transportation to and from the facility, as public transportation is unavailable in this location
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and accurately document work
• Comfort working with industrial & laboratory equipment
• Willingness to work around high-temperature processes and, in some assignments, molten materials (role dependent)
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing, production, laboratory, or testing environments

• Trade school or technical training (mechanical or electrical preferred)
• Experience with basic mechanical troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, or equipment setup/changeover

• Experience working in noisy, industrial, or high‑temperature environments

Compensation & Schedule

• Base Salary: $56,135 annually ($26.98/hour equivalent)

• Shift Differentials: 3% for evening hours (2:00pm-6:00pm); 5% for night hours (6:00pm-6:00am)

• Schedule: Rotating 12‑hour shifts (days/nights vary by role)

• Overtime: Approximately 16 hours per month, paid at time and one‑half

• Additional Pay: Shift differentials, overtime, and holiday pay

***Exact schedules & overtime may vary by assignment and will be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits & Growth

• 120 hours of paid vacation annually (prorated from date of hire)

• 10 paid holidays plus one flexible holiday

• 56 hours of sick/safe leav