Research & Development Technician

Role details

Vitro is the largest glass manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and the largest glass producer in North America. Vitro’s glass products can be found in some of the most iconic vehicles on the road, in countless buildings and homes around the world, and in billions of glass containers produced every year. With more than 14,000 employees worldwide, we have expanded our global footprint and cemented our leadership role in the industries in which we operate.

At Vitro, we redefine the power of partnership to create value and innovative glass solutions for our customers and communities. Together, we will realize the full potential of glass to shape how we move, build, and live in the future. Vitro takes active steps to protect the environment and supports several initiatives that promote protection of the environment and reduction of energy consumption in the glass manufacturing process. Our products and technologies reduce energy consumption and emissions in buildings and vehicles, and we minimize the use of natural resources in manufacturing. Together, we have the power to make more than glass.

We can make the future a brighter place for years to come.

Vitro Architectural Glass manufactures a broad range of industry-leading, energy-efficient products such as Solarban®, Sungate® and Starphire Ultra-Clear® glasses. Throughout our storied history, collaboration and innovation have been central to our advancements. Today, the key to our success continues to lie in the strength of our partnerships. With a foundation formed on trust, teamwork and shared excitement, the possibilities for impactful innovations in glass are truly endless.

With manufacturing facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico, Vitro Architectural Glass is committed to sustainable manufacturing processes and products. Vitro also operates one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh, PA and has four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada.

To find out more, please visit our website: Vitro Architectural Glass | Vitro Architectural Glass vitroglazings.com

Research & Development Technician - Position Overview:

The Vacuum Coatings Product Development Group at Vitro Architectural Glass’ Glass Technology Center is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support its research and development activities. The primary purpose of the Technician role is to execute experiments in support of R&D or non-R&D customers.

The working environment is an industrial research and development laboratory setting in Cheswick(Pittsburgh metropolitan area), PA, but occasional work in manufacturing facilities (in USA, Mexico, and possibly elsewhere) will be required (travel usually occurring over multiple weekdays at a time, but some weekend travel may occasionally be required).

Job responsibilities

• Processing (e.g., cutting, labeling, heating) of coated glass samples
• Making measurements of various physical properties (e.g. mechanical/scratch resistance properties, temperature measurements using thermocouples, spectral/color properties using spectrophotometers, ellipsometric properties using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometers, electrical properties such as sheet resistance using four-point resistance probe, carrier density/carrier mobility using Hall Effect probe, work function using Kelvin probe), and other evaluations (e.g. visual quality) of such samples
• Chemical/environmental durability testing of coated glass samples and interpreting results
• Entry of data into electronic spreadsheets, plotting/charting of such data, and interpreting results
• Documentation of procedures, results, and data in electronic laboratory notebook
• Writing test reports
• Deposition of thin film coatings using vacuum coating equipment (after training from experienced personnel)
• Adjustments, maintenance, and repair of vacuum coating equipment and/or other electrical/mechanical equipment (after training, and with assistance/coaching where needed)
• Occasionally assisting other personnel with work related to diagnoses of samples returned from customers or manufacturing facilities (including opening wooden crates, boxes, pallets, helping to move/lift/disassemble/cut-down insulated glass window units for examination and testing, assisting with photography of large and small glass samples, etc.)
• Other duties as appropriate for a laboratory technician position

Required Characteristics/Skills/Experience

• HS/GED plus 5 years relevant laboratory experience OR
• A.S. degree in closely related field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc) plus 1-year relevant laboratory experience OR
• B.S. degree in science field (physics, engineering, material science, chemistry, electronics, mechatronics, etc)
• Adherence to safe work practices and compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and securityprotocols as verbally specified by Vitro personnel and/or in written procedures
• Aptitude and motivation to do hands-on laboratory work (cut/process/measure samples, test chemical/mechanical durability of coated glass samples, prepare thermocouples and make temperature measurements, make observations/draw conclusions, plot data in appropriate types of charts, and accurately organize/document results in spreadsheets/reports and electronic laboratory notebook)
• Team player: ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment with a variety of science and technology professionals (technicians, engineering specialists, scientists, engineers)
• Organized
• Good balance between being attentive to details while completing tasks/jobs in a timely fashion
• Aptitude and willingness to continue to learn and expand upon skill set
• Flexibility to participate in other duties, as assigned
• Initiative and resourcefulness; solicits advice/expertise/experience of other personnel when necessary.
• looks for, and tackles, the next job that needs to be done without necessarily being told,and asks supervisor regarding prioritization of current/upcoming job(s), as appropriate
• Ability to work independently without frequent/close supervision, as appropriate, and also in team settings
• Ability to multi-task without compromising safety or quality of work
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Updates supervisor, at appropriate times and frequencies, regarding status of work
• Shares ideas (interpretation of experimental results, suggests next experiment(s) and/or new experimental approaches as appropriate, suggests opportunities to improve work practices, etc.)
• Adequate proficiency with Microsoft Windows, MS Excel®, and MS Word® software; ability to accurately organize, enter, and plot data in MS Excel spreadsheets
• Aptitude and willingness to continually learn from other personnel/resources and expand skill set
• Reliability and punctuality
• Honesty and ethical behavior (e.g., keeps accurate timesheets, expense reports, etc.)
• Acceptable color vision
• Ability to occasionally lift/move samples or other objects up to about 45 pounds in weight, with assistance from one or more other persons and/or using assistive devices (e.g., pallet jack, vacuum lift assist)