Process Technician - III

Process Technician

• III 20060

  177th Street NW, Big Lake, MN 55309 From $30 an hour
• Full-time From $30 an hour
• Full-time ##

POSITION SUMMARY

The Process Technician III supervises and maintains process chemistry for the Powder Finishing pretreatment washline (cleaners, phosphate or zirconium conversion, seal, rinses) and the Anodize line (caustic etch, deox/desmut, sulfuric anodize, dye, nickel acetate seal, rinses). Performs daily titrations and instrumental analysis, calculates and makes chemical additions, monitors bath parameters, troubleshoots chemistry-related defects, manages chemical inventory, and documents all results per the quality system.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES BATH CHEMISTRY & ANALYSIS

• Perform daily titrations and bath analysis (free/total acid, alkalinity, conductivity, pH, fluoride, dye concentration, aluminum content, etc.) per posted control plans.
• Calculate and make chemical additions; log all additions in bath logs or LIMS.
• Perform routine instrument verification and calibration (pH meters, conductivity meters, hydrometers, ORP, AA spectrometer, spectrophotometer / X-Rite where applicable).
• Maintain DI/RO water quality logs; monitor rinse cascade conductivity.

LINE / PROCESS MONITORING

• Monitor bath temperatures, agitation, filtration, line speed, immersion times, and rectifier output (A/ft^2, voltage).
• Verify pretreatment and anodize cycles meet spec on every shift; record SPC data.
• Coordinate bath dump / decant / makeup; sequence with production scheduling.

TROUBLESHOOTING & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

• Investigate chemistry-driven defects: poor adhesion, flash rust, smut, mottling, soft coat, dye burn-off, non-uniform film weight, etching, pitting.
• Participate in 8D / CAR investigations; lead 5-Why analyses for chemistry-related corrective actions.
• Recommend process improvements; support trials of new chemistries with vendors.

CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT & SAFETY

• Manage chemical inventory, reorder points, and vendor coordination; maintain SDS file.
• Ensure proper labeling, secondary containment, and segregation of incompatible chemicals.
• Coordinate hazardous waste accumulation and manifest with EHS; support

DOT/RCRA

recordkeeping.

• Enforce PPE compliance in chemical-handling areas.

EQUIPMENT SUPPORT

(CHEMISTRY-RELATED)

• Coordinate with Maintenance on heater coils, anodes/cathodes, pumps, filter skids, eductors, and rectifiers.
• Specify replacement filter cartridges and bag types (e.g., 50-micron parallel housings on the filter skid).
• Support cathode cleaning / re-plating cycles.

DOCUMENTATION & QUALITY SYSTEM

• Maintain SOPs, work instructions, and control charts.
• Support ISO 9001 and NADCAP, ITAR, AAMA, or MIL-spec audits.
• Update Gemba Board chemistry data daily.
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma + 2-5 years metal finishing experience; OR Associate / Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Proficient in volumetric titration and basic analytical instrumentation.
• Comfortable with chemical math (concentrations, dilutions, bath makeup calculations).
• Computer literate: Excel, ERP/MES entry, LIMS or equivalent.
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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
• Direct anodize line experience (Type II / Type III).

• AAMA / NADCAP

  audit experience.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent.
• Forklift certification.
• Experience with electrolytic cleaning, acid copper, or related wet-chemistry systems.
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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to lift 50 lb (chemical drums staged with drum dolly or forklift assist).
• Stand and walk on shop floor up to 8-10 hours per shift.
• Work in close proximity to hot baths, acids, and caustics in full chemical PPE (face shield, splash apron, chemical gloves, chemical-resistant boots).
• Climb platform stairs to access bath tops.
• Tolerance for chemical odors and ambient humidity from open process tanks.
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KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Bath parameters in control: % of titrations within spec
• First-pass yield on anodize and powder-pretreatment
• Chemistry-driven defect rate (PPM)
• Chemical cost per square foot processed
• Audit findings: zero major non-conformances in chemistry
• Bath downtime / unplanned dump events

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off

Work Location:

In person