What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemistry Lab Technician position at BW Fusion?
Department: Research & Development
Location: Fort Wayne Office
BW Fusion is looking for a hands-on Chemistry Lab Technician to support our R&D and product development team in formulating and testing agricultural nutritionals and biostimulants. You'll work directly with our Director of Microbiology and VP of Science to bring new products from bench-top concept to stable, field-ready formulations. This position will oversee compatibility trials, accelerated aging studies, and analytical testing that inform formulation and shelf-life decisions across our product pipeline.
This is a great fit for someone who enjoys precise, detail-oriented lab work and wants to see their results directly shape commercial products.
What You'll Do
- Support formulation of liquid and dry nutritional and biostimulant products, including foliar micronutrient blends, amino acid-based products, and microbial/fermentation-derived formulations
- Set up and monitor accelerated aging and stability studies (elevated temperature, freeze-thaw, long-term shelf-life) and track/report physical and chemical changes over time
- Run routine analytical testing to support formulation work: pH, specific gravity/density, viscosity, conductivity, particle size, and compatibility/tank-mix screening
- Prepare lab-scale batches and trial formulations following formulator instructions, accurately measuring, weighing, and mixing raw materials
- Maintain detailed, organized lab notebooks and data logs; enter and track results in spreadsheets or lab data systems
- Monitor for physical instability issues (precipitation, separation, off-gassing, microbial contamination, color/odor change) and flag results to the formulation team
- Assist with raw material and finished product testing, including basic wet chemistry and use of lab instrumentation
- Maintain lab equipment, calibration schedules, reagent inventory, and general lab organization and safety compliance
- Support scale-up trials, moving promising bench formulations toward pilot or production scale
- Collaborate with formulation, fermentation, and regulatory team members to troubleshoot product issues
Required
- Bachelor's or Masters degree in Chemistry, Biology, Agronomy, or a related science field (or equivalent hands-on lab experience)
- Experience with basic analytical instrumentation (pH meters, balances, viscometers, etc.) and willingness to learn new equipment
- Strong attention to detail and comfort following precise protocols and documenting results accurately
- Basic proficiency in Excel or similar tools for data logging and tracking
- Good communication skills and ability to work well in a small, collaborative team
- Prior lab experience: coursework labs, internships, or professional experience in a chemistry, ag, formulation
- Experience with aseptic technique and bacteriology
- Interest in agriculture, plant science, or biologicals is a plus
- Comprehensive Medical Benefits with FSA/HSA Options
- Supplemental Insurance (Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity)
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- PTO & Paid Holidays
- Maternity Leave