Lab Technician - Plastics Additives R&D

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

POSITION TITLE

Lab Technician – Plastics Additives R& D

Position Overview We are hiring a Lab Technician to execute analytical testing, support polymer processing trials, manage sample workflows, and coordinate across R& D, analytical labs, Technical Service & Development, regulatory, shipping, and commercial teams—a high-visibility role where your data directly informs product-release decisions, customer readiness, and commercialization timelines.

Job Responsibilities

• Execute analytical testing across polymer characterization and additive-analysis methods, including FTIR, GC, active oxygen, moisture, MFR, DSC, Crystex, SAOS/rheology, gel content, impact, and flexural testing.
• Support polymer processing trials, including twin-screw extrusion compounding, injection molding, and blending operations—from material staging and parameter setup through sample collection, evaluation, and troubleshooting.
• Manage sample workflows end-to-end—preparation, labeling, safe handling and storage of additives including peroxides and oxidizers, inventory tracking, QC release, and domestic/international shipment with SDS and regulatory documentation.
• Coordinate across functions as the operational link between R& D scientists, analytical specialists, TS& D engineers, sales, regulatory, shipping, tolling facilities, and customer technical contacts.
• Maintain data integrity across shared project datasets, master data files, QC spreadsheets, laboratory records, and Technical Service Requests (TSRs).
• Support method development, validation, and transfer, including documentation, calibration standards, and troubleshooting analytical variability.
• Communicate proactively—provide updates, flag risks, close loops, and keep stakeholders informed across concurrent projects.

Qualifications - Required

• BS degree in Chemistry or related technical field or 5 years of relevant work experience in lieu of degree
• 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in a polymer, plastics, or chemical environment
• Proficiency in multiple polymer characterization or analytical chemistry techniques
• Working knowledge of sample preparation, handling, and storage for polymer and chemical-additive materials
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams) and a LIMS or lab notebook
• Strong organizational, communication, and multi-tasking skills

Qualifications - Preferred

• M.S. in a related field; 3+ years in plastics additives or polyolefin environments
• Hands-on experience with polymer processing equipment, including twin-screw extruders, injection molding machines, single-screw extruders, or dry-blending/compounding equipment
• Experience with advanced characterization techniques (Crystex, TREF/TGIC, GPC, SAOS, SEM)
• Familiarity with method development/validation, DOE, JMP or Minitab, SAP, and international shipping documentation

The Successful Candidate Will Have Strengths In The Following Analytical Rigor

Produce data people can bet decisions on—accurately and independently

Problem Solving

Investigate anomalies and propose next steps, not just report results

Processing Aptitude

Understand how materials behave during extrusion, molding, and compounding—and how processing affects performance

Ownership

Track work from request to completion; nothing falls through the cracks

Cross-Functional Fluency

Speak the language of the lab, the plant, the customer, and the shipping dock

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected].