Overview

Job DescriptionJob Description General Summary / Position Purpose The R&D Technician runs the experiments that turn SUPERWOOD - a molecularly densified wood material - from lab results into products. It's a hands-on technical role at an ARPA-E-backed climate-materials company: you'll run experimental batches from bench to production floor, operate and troubleshoot process equipment, and generate the clean data the team needs to make decisions.We're looking for a tinkerer and experimentalist - curious about how processes work, quick to instrument and optimize, and able to run a lot of experiments fast without letting the data get sloppy - who also likes to build the systems that automate our testing. This is a high-intensity, build-the-company environment; if you take pride in a well-run experiment and a clean dataset, bring energy every day, and want to help build a company from the ground up, this role is built for you.Job Duties and Responsibilities Runs experimental batches and processes at volume with consistent quality - planning sequencing, controlling variables, and keeping throughput high without sacrificing precision or safety.Executes SOPs and new processes, and captures and reports results rigorously - clean notebooks and enough detail that anyone can reproduce exactly what was done.Operates, sets up, and troubleshoots process and test equipment - including large machinery (pressure vessels, hydraulic presses, ovens, CNCs) - and helps instrument and tune it for better, more repeatable results.Designs and builds new systems and rigs that automate and improve testing, including the wiring, soldering, and basic electronics involved.Thinks while working - understands the goal of each experiment, asks good questions, forms and tests hypotheses, and flags variables or SOPs that aren't working before they compromise a result.Supports quality control, including diagnosing product and material failures and developing solutions with the R&D team.Fabricates the prototypes, samples, jigs, and fixtures experiments require - to spec and tolerance, using woodworking tools and CNC - and manages sample inventory.Keeps the lab and shop organized and maintained: labels and photographs samples for traceability, keeps storage orderly, maintains equipment and work logs, and stays on top of cleaning, ordering, and procurement.Follows all safety policies, standards, and regulations; upholds and promotes company Core Values and culture; takes on special projects as directed by your manager; and maintains strict confidentiality.Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required One of the following, with enough chemistry and experimental-design grounding to engage in our technical discussions: a BS in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a related field; an associate's degree or technical certification in a science/engineering-technology field with 2+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent hands-on lab/R&D experience.Proven ability to run and manage lab experiments - including large or repetitive batches - with consistent quality and clean, reproducible data (clear notebooks and records someone else can follow).A tinkerer who's curious about the science: comfortable operating, instrumenting, and troubleshooting equipment; applies scientific and engineering principles to diagnose problems and design tests; asks good questions.Excited to build and automate - wants to design and stand up new systems and rigs (e.g., automating water-soak measurements, or a laser measurement system for the NDT MOE setup). Able to solder and comfortable with basic electronics.Capable and confident operating large machinery and production equipment (presses, pressure vessels, CNCs) safely, or the aptitude to learn quickly.Hands-on fabrication - woodworking and CNC - sufficient to build the samples, jigs, and fixtures experiments require; methodical with unfamiliar materials and tooling. Portfolio a plus.Highly organ