Job Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Research Technologist to lead the operational, mechanical, and experimental activities in our Research & Development facility.
If you are an insatiably curious problem-solver who loves to design and build lab equipment to prove concepts, troubleshoot complex systems, and drive groundbreaking R&D, this is the role for you.

Essential Duties

• Reports on experimental data and is able to interpret results. Provides results in distilled formats and can explain to a broad range of functional stakeholders.
• Responsible for trial preparation, sample generation, testing including equipment set up, operation, and troubleshooting.
• Manages sections of the R&D labs, ensures all calibration and maintenance is done correctly, establishes safety procedures.
• Develops new and complex lab procedures for producing material and testing samples.
• Proactively searches for improvements and better methods. Actively monitor process conditions, make real-time control system adjustments, and identify opportunities for plant and process optimization.
• Has a strong practical knowledge of several key product lines. * Prepares written reports on projects.
• Participates in cross functional teams and may represent R&D on smaller projects.
• With guidance from a professional level Scientist/Engineer who defines the broader problem to solve, the technologist independently delivers successful results.
• Works from a broad direction and manages own resources and time.
• Leads a phase or key part of work by performing experiment design, planning, and execution.
• Operate all instruments and equipment used by the immediate team. Is also an expert in most other equipment and processes used within R&D.
• Acts as the key experimental resource for the R&D team. * Manages tasks in support of department goals. Manage laboratory inventory, including procurement of specialized hardware, chemical reagents, and process gases.
• Often may be a team leader and/or represent R&D at project meetings.
• Awareness and knowledge of equipment capabilities in other labs.
• Trains plant and other personnel in new techniques.
• Provide input on new equipment and instrumentation.
• Generates samples using advanced equipment. Manage the safe handling, heating, and processing of highly viscous materials (such as asphalt/bitumen), including the transfer of hot fluids and operation of heavy-duty pumps, high-shear mixers, calorimeters, and industrial chillers.
• Design of experiments, data analysis, project planning and execution. Collect, record, and analyze experimental data using advanced data acquisition software and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Maintain meticulous records of equipment maintenance, calibration logs, and experimental procedures.
• May guide activities of other technicians.
• Impact of actions is significant to the project team and is recognized by relevant cross functional stakeholders as an experimental expert. Collaborate closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), scientists, and process engineers to design experimental matrices and translate research goals into physical lab setups.
• May be an engaged member of a project team led by another functional area (e.g., quality, marketing, etc.) bringing general expertise and work product to that effort.
• Interacts with plant technical staff on project work.
• May occasionally work through other technicians.
• Impact of actions is significant to the project team and is recognized by relevant cross functional stakeholders as an experimental expert. Collaborate closely with Principal Investigators (PIs), scientists, and process engineers to design experimental matrices and translate research goals into physical lab setups.
• Identifies and implements new concepts to improve efficiency of projects.
• Applies creativity to revise/improve complex experimental processes and procedures.
• May lead a workstream on a product/process development project.
• Networks within R&D and working groups.
• Contributes to product design and/or process optimization.
• Develop and make presentations internal to GAF that enable critical project decisions.
• Presents information in an organized, clear, and meaningful way.
• Communicates results externally as needed with approval from relevant stakeholders. Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively interface with a multidisciplinary team of chemists, engineers, and external vendors.

Qualifications Required

• Associate's Degree in Engineering, Applied or Physical Science with a minimum of 10+ years relevant work experience required or
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Applied or Physical Science with a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience required or
• H.S. Diploma or General Education Degree (GED) 15+ years related experience

General Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Organizes data and draws conclusions using statistical analysis.
• Recognizes experimental issues and can make corrections and changes to the experimental design.
• Hands-on experience in all aspects of sample preparation, testing, equipment operation and equipment troubleshooting.
• Knowledgeable in DOE; provides statistical analysis of DOE data.
• Proficient at operating, modifying and maintaining lab equipment. Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair mechanical, pneumatic, and electrical issues in custom-built laboratory equipment.
• Recognized expert in R&D for an experimental area of expertise. (High-temperature materials, enriched oxygen environments, pressurized vessels, and asphalt oxidation).
• Ability to carry out a range of projects.
• Champion of safety: participate in committee. Serve as the primary safety advocate for Lab 404, ensuring strict adherence to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and environmental health and safety (EHS) guidelines. Develop, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) for high-hazard operations (e.g., high-temperature materials, enriched oxygen environments, pressurized vessels).
• Regularly writes R&D reports.
• Gives R&D presentations.
• Set up trial runs/customer demonstrations.
• Can design and build lab equipment to prove concepts. Lead the physical assembly, integration, and modification of complex experimental setups, custom test rigs, and pilot-scale process equipment. Perform mechanical and basic electrical integration, including pipe fitting, Swagelok fittings, tubing, wiring, and installing sensors. Read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) to construct and modify lab apparatuses.
• Able to come up with innovative ideas and/or solutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of project management technique.
• Proven ability to schedule project tasks, covering part of a project, in full detail.

Physical Demands

• Stationary Position - Frequently
• Move/Traverse -
• Stationary Position/Seated -
• Transport/Lifting - Occasionally
• Transport/Carrying - Occasionally
• Exerting Force/Pushing -
• Exerting Force/Pulling -
• Ascend/Descend -
• Balancing - Occasionally
• Position Self/Stooping - Occasionally
• Position Self/Kneeling - Occasionally
• Position Self/Crouching - Occasionally
• Position Self/Crawling - Occasionally
• Reaching -
• Handling -
• Grasping -
• Feeling -
• Communicate/Talking -
• Communicate/Hearing -
• Repetitive Motions -
• Coordination -

Dimensions
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Number of Direct Reports: 0Travel Requirements: 5% May require occasional travel in connection to job duties as it relates to conferences, site visits, professional development or learning opportunities, etc. in which advance notice of travel expectations/events will be provided.

Base salary and/or rate of pay ranges listed are exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. Individual compensation offers will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, relevant candidate experience and skill, education, and/or qualifications.

Base Salary Range: $76,012-$104,516

How We Protect What Matters Most:
1. We offer a wide range of health insurance options that include medical, dental, and vision for you and your family. 2. Our Family-Building benefits support the many different journeys to fertility and parenthood. 3. Our robust 401K plan includes an employer match contribution with your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. 4. Other exciting programs and perks are available to help employees achieve work-life balance, including (but not limited to) a wellness program, free financial coaching, a referral program, and product rebates when purchased for an employee's primary residence. 5. Professional growth and development are very important to us! We offer internal training programs and courses, as well as a generous tuition reimbursement program. 6. We're committed to fostering a culture that reflects our values to connect, empower, evolve, and inspire. We offer many opportunities for employees to connect with one another, including through our Employee Resource Groups who focus on education and allyship for all of our employees.