Engineering Lab Technician

Primary Function:

The Engineering Lab Technician is responsible for following established procedures and/or general testing protocols to complete component/product life, performance, or compliance testing projects to support the Engineering team and projects. Under general direction, responsible for a variety of routine and non-routine laboratory operations in a laboratory testing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Conducts testing of the organization’s raw materials, in-process products, and finished products and reports results and conclusions
• Sets up and operates special equipment and apparatus following manufacturer’s instructions with limited supervision
• Concisely records and reviews data and results, performs advanced calculations, and prepares advanced technical reports, including conclusions and recommendations
• Independently performs technical tasks
• Responsible for qualitative analysis to verify process conditions and compile research data
• Assists in the development of new testing procedures and guidelines to perform routine and non-routine laboratory procedures
• Works with lab supervisor to review the requirements for component and/or product testing
• Supports the identification of the need for additional test equipment and if the equipment must be fabricated in-house or purchased
• Performs difficult maintenance and safety checks on laboratory equipment to ensure it is in good working order
• Prepares detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labor required
• Occasionally mixes chemical solutions for use in tests, as required
• Conducts regulatory compliance testing, on-demand and according to schedule
• Evaluates the physical characteristics of raw materials and products such as strength, permeability, disintegration, etcetera
• Determines requirements and fabricates, installs, tests, and validates new laboratory apparatus, as required; coordinates the use of production equipment and model shop resources
• Builds advanced prototypes by reviewing assembly requirements from Engineering drawings, securing required materials from stock, and completing prototype assembly

Job Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• Associates Degree in Applied Sciences (or related technical degree) preferred
• 0-5 years’ experience in a fast paced, customer-focused environment
• Basic mechanical, electrical, or technical mindset and understanding with hands-on application
• Microsoft Office experience required
• Problem solving capabilities both independently and collaboratively
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong detail-oriented data entry and data review experience required
• Ability to independently read, comprehend, and follow written test procedures and qualify results
• Position requires moderate physical labor including protype builds, appliance modifications, preparing appliances for testing, and equipment/product movement throughout the facility
• Minimal night/weekend work required to support production pilot runs
• Must be adaptable and enjoy creativity in a constantly evolving research laboratory environment
• Requires advanced knowledge in using laboratory instruments to prepare for and perform tests
• Creative mindset with aptitude in engineering and analytical studies

Physical Requirements:

• Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) based on specific job tasks, including but not limited to steel-toe/composite boots, gloves, aprons, protective sleeves, safety eyewear, and hearing protection to ensure a safe working environment.

• Regular movements such as bending, kneeling, reaching, tilting, and rotating products utilizing primary muscle groups (chest, back, shoulders, arms, legs, hip flexors, abdomen) to perform tasks such as connecting, inspecting, and testing products.
• Frequent use of upper and lower body muscle groups (arms, back, shoulders, abdomen, chest, legs, hip flexors) to move/lift/reposition products and test apparatus.
• Regular kneeling at ground level as well as climbing ladders up to 8ft to assemble, test, install, and repair products
• Regular use of various hand tools that require adequate twisting to secure attachments to products.

About the Company:

Throughout a history dating back to 1881, Bradford White Corporation has been manufacturing some of the most high-performing, technologically advanced, and energy-saving products to the world market. While many manufacturers continue to move production out of the country, we continue to invest in America. 

We are proud to have millions of products installed for millions of satisfied customers all over the world. Our essential products continue to support the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of communities and for 2024 we’ve been recognized as an Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award Winner for the fifth straight year.

For the Bradford White family of companies, customer satisfaction is our greatest reward, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver products that are Built to be the Best®. Today, we employ over 2000 employees with corporate headquarters in Ambler, Pennsylvania, and manufacturing operations in Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire.  We also have assembly operations in North Carolina and a distribution and training center in Ontario, Canada.