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Organization: Precision Associates, Inc.
Date Posted: July 23, 2025
Date Needed: August 4, 2025
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Primary Category: Research
Salary Range: $115,000 - $135,000 Per Year
Position Type: Full-Time
Education Required: Associate Degree
Experience Required: 5 - 10 Years
Job Description:
General Description: To initiate and coordinate research and development programs and assist in engineering and manufacturing projects including rubber and plastic materials, to support the manufacture of high-quality molded components that meet or exceed customer requirements and expectations. Manages the activity of 2 lab personnel who’s primary roles are to maintain compound certification and compliance records, and perform material testing activity.
Key Duties/Responsibilities:
Provides technical support on rubber and plastic materials to other company departments:
Sales:
Serves as a contact for the customer service department in providing technical assistance
Participates in direct customer meetings
Participates in technical meetings as applicable, such as the Energy Rubber Group
Participates in shows, such as MD&M, providing technical support
Sales Engineering:
Provides accurate material and process recommendations for quotations, and design and specification recommendations toward cost reduction, quality or part performance improvements
Provides technical information and data as needed
Assists engineering personnel as needed in the evaluation and development of various projects
Manufacturing:
Assists in establishing quality assurance in Molding by providing cure condition recommendations (time & temperature)
Provides technical support for Deflashing by providing low temperature data for rubber compounds and recommendations for deflash conditions
Provides technical assistance toward establishing acceptable manufacturing processes, such as:
Procedures to mold or demold parts
Procedures for mixing rubber compounds and material preparation
Procedures for manufacturing processes such as insert preparation and adhesive coating, washing, post curing and other parts processing operations
Coordinates with Purchasing the use of high quality, cost effective raw materials:
Participates in the approval/disapproval of raw materials used in rubber compounds
Participates in the approval/disapproval of custom mixing companies
Maintains technical relationships with raw material vendors by participating in meetings and sales rep visits
Quality Assurance:
Assists in establishing lab test procedures as related to the quality assurance of molded parts
Provides qualitative analysis and disposition recommendation of molded parts
Provides assistance with part failure analysis
Company-wide:
Provides technical assistance on environmental, health, and chemical safety issues
Provides technical information for internal and external PAI publications
Initiates and coordinates research and development activities, provide technical assistance and technical information which enhance our customer relationships:
Provides technical information, recommendations, data and molded samples through direct customer and sales representative contact
Initiates development of rubber compounds and plastic materials to comply with customer specifications, application requirements and manufacturing needs
Provides technical and evaluation assistance to the customer or sales representative in situations where a functional application issue involving molded parts produced by PAI exists
Coordinates the research, development and evaluation of new rubber and plastic materials, process equipment and designs in order to maintain the posture of the company at the forefront of technology and innovation:
Develops and evaluates compounds using new materials or methods
Additional Duties & Responsibilities:
Provides assistance and information on rubber and plastic materials to the Laboratory personnel as required in order to assist the laboratory in providing expedient and accurate technical support and assistance to the company
Participates in technical groups and/or reviews literature research in order to maintain technical leadership and review of progress in technology
Performs other duties and assumes accountabilities as apparent or as delegated, including mutually agreed upon objectives
Prerequisite Qualifications:
Possess in-depth knowledge of the rubber industry and rubber technology
Proficient with test equipment and knowledgeable about calibration requirements
Possesses knowledge of Good Documentation Practices and Good Laboratory Practices
Familiar with relevant ASTM Standards, Military Specs and ISO Standards
Good Math Aptitude and skilled at statistical analysis
Life-long learner
Leads by example
Regular and consistent attendance
Education:
Required:
Associate’s Degree in Chemistry or equivalent experience
7 years of related work experience in a laboratory and manufacturing environment
Desired:
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or related science
10 years of related testing experience in a laboratory and manufacturing environment
Benefits offered to all full-time employees 1st of the month following 60 days of employment;Medical insurance
Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance
Dental insurance
401(k) matching plan
Basic Life insurance
Voluntary Life insurance
LTD/STD insurance
Flexible benefits plan
Vision insurance
Generous PTO plan
Employee savings account (interest paying)
Holiday pay (8) – starts upon hire
Benefits offered after one year of full-time employment;Employee loan
Biannual profit sharing program
How To Apply: https://precisionassoc.applicantstack.com/x/apply/a2u181k2t7x5/aa0