Commercial Demonstration Plant Research Technician

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Free uniforms
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Stock options plan
• Vision insurance
• Wellness resources

CDP Research Technician I

Objective

The Commercial Demonstration Plant (CDP) Research Technician positions serve as the pillar of the Research and Development operations of Danimer Scientific. The development of Danimer Scientifics Nodax PHA begins in the CDP and the Research Technicians are foundational to its success. It is the expectation that CDP Research Technicians will be subject matter experts in the manufacturing and testing of PHA and play a vital role in the support of future advancements in PHA production with the aptitude to operate fermentation and downstream processing equipment and instrumentation as well as understand lab practices associated with the production of PHA.
Essential Functions

• Physical presence at the worksite during all assigned work shifts.
• Ability to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; sit; walk; lift more than 10 pounds for certain periods of time throughout the day.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for existing fermentation and downstream processes.
• Provides constructive, improvement-oriented feedback on SOPs and procedures.
• Maintains good documentation, i.e., work instructions, run sheets, and notebooks.
• Delivers quality data/results; all requested samples taken and appropriately labeled.
• Operate and monitor fermentation and downstream processing equipment to ensure efficiencies are met.
• Perform routine equipment and instrumentation calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Observe, record, and communicate process observations and events.
• Learn to recognize abnormal, atypical operations or data; brings to the attention of appropriate supervision.
• Supports general operations: identification and communication of supply shortages, ordering materials, area cleanup, etc.
• Support defined experiments; identify and communicate potential improvements.
• Record data completely and accurately, including basic calculations.
• Recognizes conspicuous errors; annotates in research notebooks or batch records.
• Assist with performing maintenance on equipment.
• Maintain a clean work area through good housekeeping practices.
• Keep daily records of downtime and machine operations.
• Conduct hourly inspections to confirm the proper function and operation of all equipment utilities and processes.
• Participate in root cause analysis and counter measure improvements.
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production and discuss alternative solutions as they relate to cost, quality, and production requirements with area supervisor.
• Support engineers in solving problems associated with manufacturing for new or existing products and/or processes.
• Support all fermentation and downstream operations in Danimer Scientifics commercial manufacturing facilities.
• Follow all Company rules, policies, and procedures as may be issues or in effect.
• All other duties as assigned by the CDP Manager.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, unless doing so imposes an undue hardship on Danimer Scientific.
All Danimer Teammates

• Comply with all safety policies and procedures as required by Danimer Scientific, including but not limited to those required by OSHA and any other government agencies.
• Comply with cGMP, regulatory, customer, and food safety requirements.
• Follow standards for testing protocols and labeling of products.
• Have the right and responsibility to report unsafe conditions (food safety, quality, or personal safety) to direct supervisor, Quality, and/or Safety leader where appropriate.
• Have the right and responsibility to stop the production line in the event of a critical incident.
• Adhere to Danimer Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.
• Complete required Quality and Food Safety training.
• Support food safety systems and participate in GMP audits, internal and external audits when necessary.

Back-up
In the absence of the CDP Research Technician I, the duties of the position will be filled by the CDP Manager or delegated by the CDP Manager to a competent representative.
Education and Experience- Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associates degree in science related field preferred
• 0-2 years experience in relative field preferred

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Performing all tasks with an emphasis on safety
• Possess a strong work ethic, selfless attitude, and be a self-starter.
• Requires the ability to interact and work with associates at multiple skill levels with various backgrounds throughout the Company.
• Proficient in chemical and biological laboratory operations.
• Able to learn the operation of fermentation and downstream processing equipment.
• Proficient in handling chemical agents.
• Able to develop a high degree of independent judgment.
• Proficient in using computers with Windows Operating System and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Willingness to work night and weekend shifts.
• Ability to effectively manage workload to meet aggressive development timelines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to interact, cooperate, and motivate across different departments and functions.
• Be willing to assist other teammates as required to meet goals.
• Must be able to innovate, analyze and solve technical problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment and Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed in a chemical and/or biological laboratory and polymer manufacturing setting; the handling of chemical agents will be required.
• Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate manufacturing and laboratory equipment.
• Requires walking, climbing stairs and ladders, bending and occasional lifting of material up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Performance of this position will require exposure to laboratory and manufacturing hazards which require the use of personal protective equipment.
• This position requires you to work nights.
• Upon successful completion of a medical evaluation, teammates will be fit-tested for a half-mask and full-face respirator and will be required to wear during specific job functions. Must be able to maintain a clean-shaven face for proper respirator utilization.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance: (if applicable)
Must be authorized to work in the United States
EEO Statement

Danimer Scientific provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, and any other status protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Danimer Scientific complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Danimer Scientific expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, and any other status protected by law.
Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice in order to meet Danimer Scientifics needs.