Research Technician

The Shingles Process and Materials Productivity Research Technician will partner across the Asphalt Roofing S&T team and with manufacturing teams to operate and improve prototype shingle equipment and support plant qualification trials with scale up.  This role will be based out of the Owens Corning Science & Technology center in Granville, OH and will include process and materials prototyping, lab and pilot scale development, as well as travel for plant trials.  This role is critical to delivering on our productivity, materials, and supply security goals across the roofing business.  The successful candidate will leverage technical curiosity and hands-on aptitude to develop ideas, test hypotheses, and trial their performance.

Reports to: Supply Security Leader

Span of Control: Individual contributor

PROCESS INNOVATION PROTOTYPING

Supports prototyping runs on the SSL (Super Shinglet Line) as coater operator and hot work operations that are required. May be leveraged for RPL (Roofing Pilot Line) if needed

• Safely leads operation of prototyping equipment for set up, operation, and clean up of equipment as coater operator. Documents JHAs and SOPs accordingly
• Understands DOE from leading engineer to ensure proper equipment settings and materials are prepared for critical prototyping results.
• Ideates on improvements for prototyping equipment for better reliability, repeatability, data processing, and material usage.
• Collaborates with engineering team to execute positive changes in prototyping execution and ability to explain results concisely in a meeting setting with peers
• Prototype tests in lab, pilot, and manufacturing settings

PLANT TRIAL SUPPORT

Travels to plants to safely set up and support trials to validate alternate materials

• Participates in plant trial planning including safety
• Prepares equipment and materials for successful trial execution
• Owns portions of trial execution such as end of line testing and sample gathering, ensuring safety and completion of the targeted outcomes
• Performs required testing & tracks results and materials from trial at S&T center to enable proper decisions
• Coordinates trial close out tasks including shipping and material testing and entering lab test requests

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree in technical field or equivalent on the job experience
• Hands-on mechanical skills including ability to build, operate, and maintain equipment
• Exposure to and interest in design, prototyping, and/or manufacturing
• Proficient in using a computer including MS Office Suite
• Ability to repetitively lift objects up to 40 lbs. and stand for a large portion of the day
• Ability to work in hot environments including asphalt while wearing necessary PPE
• Ability to travel 30% of the time with advanced notice, up to 40% at times

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science field
• Experience in a manufacturing and/or R&D facility
• Experience designing and running trials including data collection and analysis
• Experience with reading drawings and/or CAD modeling and/or 3D printing

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Desire to learn and own delivery of project outcomes
• Demonstrates an unconditional commitment to safety
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Attention to detail and dedication to documenting knowledge
• Team-oriented with a desire to build strong relationships, collaborate and drive results
• Passion for understanding how things work
• Out of the box thinking to identify new approaches to overcome obstacles