Research Technician

The Fiberizing Research Technician is responsible for supporting all R&D activities in developing new fiberizing technology to deliver superior insulation products to the marketplace. The Fiberizing Research Technician assists in exploring new hardware configurations, assembling prototypes, developing test methods, and managing design experiments to deliver market leading products for the Insulation Business across North America.

The primary role of the Research Technician is to:

• Provide fundamental technical support to manufacturing productivity projects in location across North America.
• Investigate new fiberizing hardware, processes, and products.
• Collaborate in the design, planning and execution of plant trials to demonstrate feasibility of fiberizing technology and associated product.

Reports to: R&D Leader – Fiberizing and L&A

Span of Control:  Individual Contributor

Demonstrates a commitment to Safer Together (10%)

• Commits to our safety stand:  all accidents are preventable, safety is everyone’s responsibility, and working safely is a condition of employment.

• Focus on sustaining a safe work environment for self and coworkers
• Ensures rigorous compliance with standard safety procedures and OC corporate policies.
• Translates work safety knowledge to personal/home

Fiberizing Process and Product Development Support (60%)

• Leads and assists the execution of all fiberizing trials, which include (not limited to) equipment availability and set-up, process operation, and data collection.
• Co-designs and executes basic mechanical design and assembly. Applies technical expertise to evaluate new fiberizing hardware.
• Partners with fiberizing team on design, development and testing of new fiberizing concepts.
• Supports the development of new spinner designs and partners with metallurgy experts and R&D Engineers to safely increase spinner life and operating performance.
• Partners with the OC’s Fiberizing Mechanics network, and with the OC’s Machine Facility (Ridgeview, SC) to support design, development and testing of new fiberizing concepts.
• Analyzes data from trials and hardware testing to produce insightful technical reports.
• Works effectively across technical and manufacturing functions to ensure project success.
• Guarantees optimal condition of location and equipment in the Fiberizing Shop, ISB Pilot Lines and Crash Box Testing site.

Productivity Projects (25%)

• In partnership with Innovation and Manufacturing personnel, evaluates current processes and crafts recommendation for improvements leading to processes and products with superior quality, performance, and cost.
• Develops and applies combinations of technical and cost modeling tools to determine quality, performance, and cost opportunities. Then employs a combination of pilot and plant experiments to demonstrate business potential.
• Supports product and process redesigns and implementation.

Protect OC Intellectual Property (5%)

• Files Invention Records on all innovations early in the innovation process.
• Writes and files technical and memo reports in a timely manner.
• Understands and ensure communication with non-OC contacts is covered under NDA when applicable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5+ years’ experience in Fiberizing Mechanics, operation, and subsystem design/operation or equivalent.
• Mastery in fabrication, welding, machining, and diagnosing mechanical assemblies.
• Strong hands-on aptitude with ability to translate ideas into actuality with little direction.
• Deep understanding in prototype design, testing, and analysis. Pilot and scale-up development experience is required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to travel ~25 - 40% of the time to domestic and international facilities. Travel schedule is typically set in advance.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in mechanics, ceramics or related field is preferred.
• Expertise in the operation and maintenance of high tolerance, high precision rotary equipment.
• Experience with high temperature, high speed rotating equipment.
• Deep understanding of glass processing, melter controls, and safe operation of high-speed rotary equipment
• Extreme attention to detail with training/experience in root cause analysis (in process/in-situ deviations, and post-mortem success and failures)

About Owens Corning  

Owens Corning is a residential and commercial building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. Our products provide durable, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions that leverage our unique capabilities and market-leading positions to help our customers win and grow. We are global in scope, human in scale with more than 25,000 employees in 31 countries dedicated to generating value for our customers and shareholders and making a difference in the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1938 and based in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning posted 2024 sales of $11.0 billion. For more information, visit www.owenscorning.com. 

Owens Corning is an equal opportunity employer. Except in limited circumstances such as formal apprenticeship programs, Owens Corning does not employ anyone under the age of 18.