Lab Technician

Company / Location Information

Founded in 1874, A. O. Smith is a $3.8 billion publicly-traded global water technology leader (NYSE: AOS) with over 12,000 employees globally.  We are one of the world’s leading manufacturers and best-known brands of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers, as well as a global leader in the manufacturing of water treatment systems for household and light commercial applications.  Our Johnson City location in Eastern Tennessee is home to approximately 1000 employees on our Manufacturing and Engineering teams for Residential Water Heaters, a product category in which we have #1 market share - nearly 40% of homes with a water heater have an A. O. Smith brand.

Primary Function

The Lab Technician provides support and input to Engineering team in the evaluation, development of new products.  Provides leadership and training for new Lab Techs.  Also works with Engineering team to develop and test machinery and equipment by performing the following duties.

Responsibilities

• Review project instructions and prints to ascertain test specifications, procedures, objectives, test equipment, nature of technical problem and possible solution.
• Set up, assist and test units per diagrams and instructions to investigate design proposals for improving equipment performance or other factors and to obtain data for development, standardization and quality assurance.
• Observe and record results relevant to testing and evaluation.
• Build prototypes and test equipment per drawings.
• Log and distribute copies of results to Engineering and file.
• Responsible for safe practices and professional appearance of the work area.
• Gain a thorough working knowledge of other ANSI, UL, and EC standards. 
• Properly use and service all lab equipment (both test and prototype development).
• Provide guidance and instruction to other lab techs as needed.
• Develop skills required in model making, sheet metal layout and fabrication, welding, machining, soldering and metal working.
• Conduct test certification program under direction of test agency representative.
• Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Engineering or related field
• 1+ year of related work experience
• Experience working in a test lab environment and has completed at least one major project from start to finish
•  Has learned to use and service most of the lab equipment. 
• Possesses a working knowledge of all CSA tests, the proper way to conduct those tests, and the proper form for recording the data produced by those tests
• Has a working knowledge of basic algebraic functions and demonstrates same on a daily basis
• Has the ability to budget time and set deadlines for him/herself and demonstrates this ability on a daily basis
• Can act with limited supervision on applying and trouble shooting initial unit set up
• Uses independent decision making and analysis
• Can analyze problems, present solutions and implements decisions
• Easily recognizes when parameters are wrong, indicating that a unit is not functioning properly
• Understands what data needs to be collected, how that data is to be collected, and uses the proper forms for logging the required data.  Understands what the data being recorded means to the performance of the unit under test

We Offer

Competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits plans which include medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, retirement security savings plan, short- and long-term disability programs and tuition assistance.