Sr. Plastics Lab Technician

Vivify Company • Full-time • Glendale Heights, IL, US • $70k / year • 2m ago

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Plastics Lab Technician with a strong hands-on mindset and a proven ability to build, optimize, and operate laboratory environments. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced setting, takes initiative, and brings both technical expertise and practical problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate has deep experience in pigment and additive masterbatch development and is comfortable engaging directly with customers while helping drive innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Execute formulation, compounding, and testing plastic materials, with a focus on pigment and additive masterbatches
Operate and maintain lab equipment such as extruders, mixers, spectrophotometers, and testing instruments
Support lab setup, expansion, and continuous improvement initiatives, including equipment selection and workflow optimization
Troubleshoot processing and formulation issues, providing practical, data-driven solutions
Conduct color matching, dispersion analysis, and performance evaluations
Document formulations, test results, and procedures with accuracy and clarity
Collaborate with R&D and commercial teams to help scale lab developments into customers’ production
Interface with customers to understand technical requirements, present findings, and support product development
Stay informed on industry trends, new materials, and emerging technologies to contribute to innovation

Qualifications:

5+ years of hands-on experience in plastics laboratory or compounding environment
Direct experience with pigment and additive masterbatch formulation and processing
Demonstrated involvement in lab setup, startup, or expansion projects
Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort working with processing equipment
Ability to work independently with a proactive, “doer” mentality
Experience in color science, dispersion, and polymer performance testing necessary
Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage in customer-facing situations
Detail-oriented with strong organizational and documentation skills

Preferred Skills