Research Development Lab Technician

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The company pioneered modern fiber cement building products and continues to invest in innovation to transform the industry. James Hardie is a high-performance organization, with an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees across operations in North America.
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Job Summary
The Lab Technician will conduct testing activities and ensure efficient lab operations. The responsibility extends to procurement, IP, safety, and vendors that relate to the lab and offices. The primary function of the lab is to receive test requests from project teams, perform the specified tests, and provide results. This lab utilizes a wide range of instruments to measure and analyze the properties of finished products, plant trial output and raw materials. Testing includes, but is not limited to chemical composition analysis, mechanical properties, and structural analysis. The incumbent will provide assistance to R&D in performing day-to-day repetitive testing and data recording operations. This position requires 90 percent hands on testing.
What You'll Do:
Key Responsibilities
Lab Operations:

• Ensure timely completion of test requests
• Maintain tests requests progress and status up to date
• Understand objective of testing, test methods, and sampling scheme
• Understand project priorities and adapt to changes
• Follow test methods and equipment operation procedure
• Accurately follow specified test methods and document any deviations
• Perform visual observation of pre- and post-testing samples and document notable finding
• Identify and report any abnormality in testing or samples
• Provide support in onsite/off site trials as requested by project teams

Utilize test equipment:

• Optimize lab equipment usage
• Use of equipment or instruments for physical and mechanical properties measurements
• Measure densities, adhesion, and dimensional changes in samples

Record collected data, methods, and observations:

• Record measurements and export data using Microsoft Access, Excel, Minitab or equivalent tools
• Ensure that all incoming work is documented and is performed properly with a high degree of accuracy and within expected time allocations

Prepare samples ensuring that all incoming work into the Laboratories is completed on time:

• Communicate with the teams and follow sampling and specimen preparation scheme
• Sample preparation of raw materials and fiber cement products (i.e., cutting, DFT, SEM pucks, sorting, labeling, deburring FC, grinding, paint adhesion, pallet making, and acid digestion)
• Sample preparation and analysis using such techniques as wet chemistry titrations, XRF, XRD, LECO, MTS, etc.

Provide Project Support as needed:

• Plant trial preparation and operation support
• Pad trial raw materials preparation and support
• Pad and plant trial testing support

Safety:

• Utilize PPE and proper equipment
• Apply 5S philosophy inside labs
• Submit weekly safety engagements
• Complete monthly OSHA mandated training
• Ensure a safe work environment in labs through good housekeeping, proper personal protective equipment, equipment operations
• Promote safety culture by participating in various safety initiatives

Desired Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or Equivalent Required
• Minimum of 2 years of experience at James Hardie QC Plant or R&D Laboratory
• Must be familiar with a manufacturing environment
• Capability in laboratory test equipment maintenance desired

What You'll Bring:
Desired Skills

• Ability to develop sampling and specimen preparation schemes and perform tests independently with minimum supervision required
• Knowledgeable in exhibiting detail orientation to make and record careful observations
• Ability to communicate well with project team members to develop sampling and specimen preparation schemes
• Capable of performing simple data analysis, knows basic mathematics, statistical analysis, and data processing by Excel or Minitab
• Has effective written and verbal communication skills
• Is well organized, understands how to prioritize workload
• Takes and responds well to the directions of others in the lab and works well in a team environment
• Is able to train entry level lab support on testing procedures and sample prep as applicable
• Shows aptitude and interest in Science

What You'll Receive:
At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Comprehensive low-costco-pay Health Insurance; medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance benefits for every 30+ hour full-time employee. Insurance starts on day one!
• 401(k) Retirement plan that will match 100% of employees saved dollars up to the first 6% of your salary
• Paid holidays, paid vacation including Jury Duty and bereavement leave
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental Leave
• Community Involvement & Sustainable Solutions - Fire Resistant Siding to Help Rebuild the Grizzly Flats Community | James Hardie
• And more

Apply now and come "home" to Hardie!
The expected compensation range for this position is between $23.00 and $28.00 hourly. Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, market conditions, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This position also qualifies for benefits
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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.