Sr. Plastics Lab Technician

Sr. Plastics Lab Technician Vivify Company Glendale Heights, IL Job Details Full-time From $70,000 a year 3 days ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Qualifications Polymers experience in materials engineering Customer communication Developing new product formulations Laboratory equipment maintenance ISO standards 5 years Spectrophotometer Engineering process optimization Formulation chemistry Material testing Continuous improvement Attention to detail Quality systems Senior level Instrument maintenance Research & development Communication skills Mechanical knowledge Full Job Description 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 Familiarity with polymers such as PE, PP, PS, ABS, and engineering resins Experience scaling formulations from lab to production Knowledge of quality systems and testing standards (ASTM, ISO) Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and innovation

Pay:

From $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person