Material Science Engineer

Job-ID: 14803; Location(s): Broomfield, CO 

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Responsible for assessing compliance of Viega’s plastics products to regulatory requirements through sample creation, testing and analysis of data.  Research of materials, additives, and processes to develop new products and improve standard products.  Serves as a primary contact for all chemistry related topics including formulations, chemical compatibility, and test method development. Supports the development of plastics using technical and chemical equipment, microscopic software programs and communication skills. Help select materials for specific products and develop new ways to use existing materials. Works with cross-functional teams to resolve product or process issues.  Laboratory management responsibilities include coordination of laboratory functions, testing, analysis, inventory control, maintenance of databases and equipment.

JOB DESCRIPTION DETAILS

Regulatory Toxicology Analysis

• Assess compliance for Viega’s products through simulating testing conditions of regulatory agencies according to specific standards including NSF 61, EPA 625 and other methods.
• Analyze and provide data interpretation for organic and inorganic compounds to determine chemical and physical properties, composition, structure, and reactions; utilizing chromatography, spectroscopy and other analytical techniques.
•  Review internally and externally generated data and converts raw data into usable formats; ensures raw data is further refined specific to NSF testing guidelines.
• Develops new analytical methods and refines current methods to meet project needs
• Prepares toxicological samples for testing specific to NSF chemical pass/fail criteria.
• Attend industry related regulatory meetings to remain current in test methods, exposures and analysis.
• Prepares data analysis and status reports for various departments, including but not limited to R&D, Quality, Legal and Production as requested; effectively communicates status, progress and challenges internally and externally in written and verbal formats; ensures data and results are geared toward each project/audience.

Project Research and Testing

• Research of materials, processes, additives, applications, and treatments to improve product quality, performance, and toxicology; reviews areas of concern for potential needs to develop and increase testing capabilities.
• Develops and generates various statistical reports and formats in order to analyze applicable and non-applicable testing methods, chemical analysis and other data as needed; ensures statistical analysis performed is appropriate for each project.
• Primary resource for all chemistry related questions and testing including but not limited to product formulations, product applications, process interactions, lab equipment, analysis and environmental evaluations.
• Performs testing of competitor products to determine how they operate and compare with Viega’s products.
• Accurately completes data entry in laboratory notebooks, logbooks and reports.
• Identifies and maintains relationship with 3rd party testing laboratories to conduct testing that is outside of our internal capabilities.

Analytical Lab Management

• Provides maintenance and troubleshooting on gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer (GC/MS) machines and equipment, including but not limited to calibrating and tuning, cleaning detectors, trimming, and changing columns; septa changes; oil changes of vacuum system; inlet cleaning and inlet to detector changeovers, etc.; prepares and maintains troubleshooting