PLA Lab Specialist

PLA Lab Instrumentation Specialist

NatureWorks | Blair, Nebraska

NatureWorks is seeking a PLA Lab Instrumentation Specialist to join our laboratory team in Blair, Nebraska. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on laboratory work, troubleshooting analytical equipment, solving technical problems, and collaborating with others to support product quality and continuous improvement.

In this role, you will serve as a key technical resource for laboratory instrumentation and quality systems supporting our polylactic acid (PLA) products. You'll work closely with researchers, engineers, product developers, manufacturing employees, and external vendors to ensure our laboratory systems and analytical methods consistently provide accurate, reliable results.

What You'll Do

• Maintain and support laboratory instrumentation through calibration, crosschecks, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination.
• Independently troubleshoot moderately complex instrumentation and laboratory issues and engage internal or external technical resources when needed.
• Use analytical techniques and laboratory instrumentation to characterize PLA and evaluate material properties and performance.
• Interpret laboratory data to better understand lactide and PLA behavior and identify potential quality or process issues.
• Partner with laboratory, engineering, manufacturing, and other NatureWorks teams to troubleshoot product, laboratory, and plant issues.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities, production improvements, and other technical projects.
• Support and continuously improve quality-control processes to help ensure consistent PLA product quality.
• Maintain and improve laboratory data-management systems, methods, procedures, and documentation.
• Identify deviations, investigate potential causes, and recommend corrective actions.
• Design and execute experiments related to PLA testing and laboratory processes, then analyze and interpret the results.
• Maintain accurate records of instrument maintenance, experiments, observations, and results and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.
• Provide technical expertise and support for PLA-related projects and participate in cross-functional problem-solving and continuous-improvement efforts.
• Follow laboratory safety procedures and requirements for the proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals and waste.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of related laboratory or technical experience.
• Experience with PLA synthesis and/or characterization techniques.
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and techniques used in polymer analysis.
• Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to engage additional technical resources.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across technical disciplines.
• Commitment to laboratory safety and established quality practices.

Work Environment & Schedule

This is a hands-on laboratory position that also provides support to our manufacturing operation. Standard work hours apply; however, the role requires participation in rotating on-call and weekend phone support. Occasional shift coverage, weekend work, or other off-hours support may be required based on production needs.

The position requires the ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and to follow NatureWorks safety and ergonomic practices.

If you enjoy analytical chemistry, instrumentation, polymers, and solving problems that have a direct impact on manufacturing and product quality, we'd like to hear from you.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $82,000
• Annual Bonus: 8% target opportunity
• 401(k): 5.5% automatic company contribution plus a 50% company match on the first 6% you contribute
• Paid Time Off: 120hours of vacation, 3 floating holidays, and 9 company-paid holidays
• Family Sick Time: 56 hours annually
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Benefits begin on your first day