R&D- Associate Engineer

The Associate Engineer - Powder Applications supports laboratory testing, product development activities, and powder application studies within the Powder Applications Lab. This hands on, equipment focused role prepares and processes metal panels, applies powder coatings, performs application evaluations, conducts standard performance testing, and supports engineers and chemists with project execution. This entry level engineering role builds foundational technical capabilities in powder coatings, application methods, lab equipment, and R&D workflows.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company's staff, employees, and business relationships.

* Prepare metal panels and customer substrates, including cleaning, pretreatment, and surface preparation steps.
* Apply powder coatings using manual electrostatic spray equipment and lab scale spray booths following defined procedures.
* Support chemists and engineers by executing application trials, recording observations, and helping evaluate film build, appearance, and application consistency.
* Perform standard performance testing such as adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, gloss measurement, color evaluation, and corrosion testing.
* Document results in lab notebooks and digital systems with accuracy and attention to detail.
* Assist in troubleshooting common powder application issues including orange peel, back ionization, transfer efficiency, and film build variation.
* Maintain equipment cleanliness, calibration checks, and general organization of the Powder Applications Lab.
* Follow established safety procedures, PPE requirements, and chemical handling guidelines.
* Support updates to lab procedures, test methods, and work instructions.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
* Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status).
* Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
* Must be at least 18 years of age.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
* Experience with coatings, polymers, or materials testing.
* Exposure to powder coating processes, application equipment, or test methods.
* Basic understanding of industrial finishing lines and powder cure profiles.
* Familiarity with root cause analysis or basic statistical tools (DOE, 5 Whys, etc.).

Travel Requirements: Expected 30%; flexibility for up to 50% may be required during peak cycles

This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H-1B visa.