Research & Development Technician

Full-Time, Hourly  •  Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (some weekends/holidays and overtime as needed)

About the Role

MSE is seeking an experienced Research & Development Technician to join our Quality team and report to the Quality Assurance Manager. In this role, you'll run trial productions on our 5-layer pilot lab line, test new raw materials and blends, and help build out the data that drives new product development. This is a hands-on role for someone who has worked in a production, lab, or extrusion environment and is comfortable with equipment, testing, and detailed documentation.

What You'll Do

·         Set up and operate the 5-layer pilot lab line to produce trial film blends, adjusting heat, tension, and extruder settings as needed

·         Collaborate with Purchasing, Sales, and Design & Development teams to test new raw materials and formulations against Technical Data Sheet specs

·         Conduct standardized material testing (gauge profile, tensile, elongation, Elmendorf tear, dart impact, haze, opacity, shrink, melt flow index, and more) using lab equipment

·         Document and report test results accurately and promptly in our ERP system, Quality SharePoint, and Monday.com

·         Handle raw materials, manage and prioritize work orders, and keep the lab line area clean and organized

·         Test finished goods, raw materials, and competitive samples, controlling any non-conforming product per MSE and customer specs

What You'll Need

·         High School Diploma or GED required; some college preferred

·         Prior experience in film extrusion, plastics manufacturing, lab testing, or a similar production/quality role preferred

·         Comfortable operating equipment and willing to obtain forklift certification

·         Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook) and strong attention to detail

·         Ability to lift up to 80 lbs. and stand, bend, and move throughout a plant setting

·         Willingness to wear required PPE (safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, and more)

Why MSE

·         Values-driven culture: everything we do is grounded in STACS — Servant Leadership, Trust, Accountability, Collaboration, and Stewardship — which shape how our teams work together and treat one another every day

·         Room to grow: this role gives you direct exposure to Quality, R&D, Sales, and Production, with a clear path to build your skills and take on more responsibility over time

·         Meaningful work: your testing and data directly shape new products before they ever reach commercial production

·         Stability and investment: we're a growing manufacturer that invests in our people, our equipment, and our processes for the long term

MSE is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.