Laboratory Technician- Rubber

Job Description

NFW is a material science innovation company giving industries plastic-free material platforms to create responsibly. NFW invents and manufactures shockingly sustainable products from nature. Beginning with naturally circular ingredients, NFW is making a material-rich, plastic-free future possible. NFW was founded in 2015 and is based in Peoria, Illinois.

NFW is a company of trailblazers, innovators, and bold thinkers, committed to reinventing the way things are made. We never stop learning. We are fiercely curious about the world and how to improve it for everyone. We offer competitive compensation, paid vacation and sick time, flexible work-life balance, great colleagues and more!

The Laboratory Technician – Rubber will be an active member of the research and development team while assisting in quality control testing of some of our intermediates. They will be trained on a 2-roll mill and develop skills in rubber compounding. This position will support producing samples for customers, checking and maintaining supplies for compounding development, and working closely with others to contribute to the team’s overall success.

Responsibilities

Follow standard operating procedures to perform testing on intermediate products.

Assist fellow R&D engineers/scientists in the following:

Customer sample molding.
Weighing raw ingredients.
Mixing Rubber – Using 2 roll rubber mill or internal mixers.
Expected to become mill operator.
Anticipation to become certified mill trainer for new compounders.
Material Testing – Rheology and molding test plaques.
Ensure mixing labs are stocked with supplies/raw ingredients.

Requirements:

High school diploma or associate’s degree in chemistry, or related field.
Experience in rubber mixing, processing, and molding will be preferred.
The ability to execute multiple tasks and wear multiple hats.
Meticulous attention to detail/safety is mandatory.
Ability to work on a team as well as independently.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret data.
Ability to adapt to ongoing change.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Frequent talking, hearing and seeing
Frequent use of hands to grasp, handle, or feel; finger dexterity must be sufficient to feed yarn through small spaces and tie small knots.
Ability to safely operate/train others on a 2-roll mill.
Pushing and pulling on work objects with hands.
Working with hot and cold surfaces
Safely working with job related sharp objects.
Regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching; must be able to stand up to 10 hours a day
Regular stooping, kneeling, crouching, occasional climbing, typically on a stepladder or stairs
Frequent lifting of up to 35 pounds; and occasional team lifting up to 75lbs
Basic computer skills including typing and looking at screen.

Vision Requirements

Close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less)
Distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more)
Color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)
Peripheral vision (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point)
Depth perception (three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships)
Ability to focus (ability to adjust eye to bring an object into sharp focus)

Work Environment

Well-lighted, production setting with adequate ventilation
Most of the work is performed in a shop environment with moderate noise level.
Occasional handling of chemicals/tools requiring personal protective equipment, regularly wearing personal protective equipment when required.