Description

The Company:

Pacific Aerospace & Electronics (PacAero) is seeking an entry level Chemist to join our Chem Lab team. A successful candidate is committed to pushing the boundaries of technology, performance, and innovation. Join us and connect your career to the future! 

PacAero’s core businesses include an array of electronic connectors and housings for the world’s most extreme environments. PacAero is primarily located in Wenatchee, WA with a remote manufacturing site, Bonded Metals, located in Sequim, WA. Working together, we employ proprietary technologies, best practices engineering, and specialized manufacturing techniques to produce hermetic connectors and electronic packaging that perform in the world’s most extreme environments. PacAero’s products are hard at work in medical components, such as cardiac-function devices, on key aerospace & defense programs, in space and deep below the earth's surface.

The Position:

Do you have a passion for chemistry and want to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic manufacturing environment?

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Entry-Level Chemist to join our growing chem lab team. This role provides an excellent opportunity to launch your career in applied chemistry and directly support a large plating department. An employee in this position will actively contribute to the implementation and improvement of the plating operations by utilizing ones' skills, experience, and competencies developed in the company. A Chemist will also assist the Chemistry Lead and the Plating Process Supervisor as a point person for daily tasks and mentoring co-workers.

Chem Lab Day Shift: Monday through Friday 5:00am to 1:30pm.

General Responsibilities:

• Work cooperatively with all employees.
• Continuous monitoring of chemical and plating facility.
• Willing to adapt work schedule to company needs.
• Attendance / Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time.
• Report hazardous observations to management personnel.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned by area supervisor.
• Demonstrate a basic ability to read and comprehend drawings and other applicable documentation such as: supplier provided technical data sheets and chemical safety data sheets.
• Observe safety regulations and follow protective equipment requirements. 
• Respirator fit test and HAZWOPER training are provided and required. 
• Must possess good math and observation skills.
• Must have the ability to work in harsh environments.

Primary Duties:

Tank Makeups

• Acquiring materials from chemical storage for makeups.
• Be able to identify hazards associated with chemicals according to SDS and pictograms. 
• Follow instructions for tank makeup.
• Rinsing barrels in the drum rinse in accordance with the SOP.
• Knowing chemical compatibility for drum reusing utilizing the sheet provided in the instance that drum rinse is out of commission. 
• Labeling hazardous waste in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations. 
• Transporting drummed waste to central accumulation area (90-day cage).

Tank Testing

• Proper sampling technique: When tank is at temperature and filled to the midpoint of marker, rinsing old sample out of bottle after a make-up. For most tanks not sampling when tank is in use (e.g., plating changes pH of solution). 

Analysis

• Proper titration technique: making sure the burette is filled to the mark but not over, slowing down the titrant addition near the equivalence point, mixing the Erlenmeyer flask enough, etc. 
• Proper pipette technique: ensuring the pipette is set to the correct volume, using a clean pipette tip, slowly pulling a sample from a vertical position, being wary of buoyant forces from heating (e.g., when pipetting a hot solution grabbing a fresh tip after the first aliquot to ensure only 5mL is pulled and keep excess from contaminating the plunger, or use a clean glass pipette). 
• Proper usage of UV-VIS, AAS, pH meter, chemical hood, hydrometer, FTIR, microscope, ISE meter, Salt Spray chamber, and standard titration equipment. 

Tank Maintenance

• Periodically drain and clean rinse tanks, cleaning the walls and floor of debris and treating algae growth as needed.
• Following SOPs for carbon polishes, leaching, and other periodic maintenance. 

Data Recording

• Timely and accurate entry of data in TrueChem. 
• Reporting to lead/supervisor when tanks are out of specification.
• Signing off adds and retesting after additions in a timely manner. 
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite of programs for record keeping and data analysis. 

Logistics/Housekeeping

• Relay offline tank status to lead/supervisor as required, and tagging the tank offline so operators are aware. 
• Reporting low chemical inventory stock. 
• Tripple rinsing glassware inside and out.
• Rinsing pipette tips as needed.
• Maintain a tidy workspace in so far as possible. 

Projects

• Help with projects and follow directions as instructed.
• Data collection and basic entry in Excel or similar data software for good record keeping.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential:

• Willing to work with hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to safely lift ~50Lbs and use force multipliers such a drum dollies, etc.
• Consistently notifies supervisor or designated personnel when tasks are completed.
• Must be able to follow basic instructions.
• Must be able to retain information.
• Must have legible handwriting.
• Takes responsibility for own actions.
• Identify process improvements.
• Requires minimal supervision to perform everyday tasks.
• Demonstrates strong independent thinking with problem solving skills.
• Must be able to navigate through applicable ERP system.
• Offers help when needed.
• Report inventory levels of materials.
• Must be able to maintain a safe working environment
• Initiative: Seeks increased responsibility, looks for and takes advantage of opportunities.

Chemical Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of chemistry at minimum. 
• Has a limited understanding of the mechanisms for analytical methods but may miss some details. 
• Has a limited understanding of plating outside of a basic knowledge from electrochemistry. 
• The connection between plating and chemistry is there but limited.
• May be able to troubleshoot less complex daily tasks and offer valid points to more complex issues that are encountered.

Education/Previous Experience Requirements:

• Prefer a BA/BS in a science related field.
• 0 – 2 years of on-the-job experience or 4 years of education in a science, technology, engineering, or medical related field with completion of at least 3 semesters of college level chemistry with 1 – 2 semesters of analytical chemistry.
• Typically, an entry level position with a BA/BS in life sciences or promoted from a chemistry technician SR level with equivalent level of training. 

PacAero provides equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. If you are looking for an opportunity to join a dynamic team at a company that values its employees, please apply today! We celebrate diversity and welcome candidates of all backgrounds.

At PacAero, we strive to create an inclusive and supportive work environment, and our benefits package is a reflection of this commitment. Our benefit offerings include:

• Insurance Benefits: We provide our employees with access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and long-term care to ensure they can prioritize their health and well-being.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): We believe in the importance of work-life balance, so we offer generous PTO allowances that accrue with each pay period so that our employees can rest and recharge, spend time with family and friends, or pursue personal interests.
• Paid Holidays: We recognize the importance of spending time with loved ones during holidays, so our employees receive paid holidays to celebrate and enjoy these moments.
• Growth Participation Units (GPUs): We provide growth participation units (GPUs) to our employees, which represent a share of the company's growth and success. Our GPUs are issued to all employees and as we increase the value of our business, they grow in value as well. When our current private equity firms sells the company, GPUs will be paid out, with all employees sharing in the profits from the sale.
• 401(k) Matching: We offer up to 4% 401(k) matching to help our employees save for their future.
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurances: We want to ensure that our employees are protected in case of unexpected circumstances, and provide short-term & long-term disability insurances, entirely employer paid.
• Tuition Reimbursement: We believe in continuous learning and development and offer tuition reimbursement to support our employees' educational goals.
• Additional Perks: Our employees enjoy a range of additional benefits such as dependable work schedules, overtime opportunities, term life & AD&D insurance, corporate gym membership discounts, and more.

Due to ITAR Requirements, all PacAero employees must be classified as US Persons and are required to show proof upon hire. *U.S. Person as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15 of the ITAR: U.S. Person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). It also means any corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, or any other entity, organization or group that is incorporated to do business in the United States.