Coatings Process Technologist

The Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM) is seeking a Coatings Process Technologist to support collaborative teams with industry technical leaders, academic experts, and world-class researchers to develop and implement solutions for real-world challenges in advanced manufacturing. CCAM is located in Disputanta, Virginia (just south of Richmond) and is a modern, world-class facility designed to enable employees to produce creative research solutions.

Position Overview

The Coatings Process Technologist will primarily operate the plasma spray coating booth and would occasionally work with other equipment within the group. Weekly priorities would be established, and the technician would work alongside researchers and interns. 

Examples of day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Executing test plans using the plasma spray coating booth – setting up and operating equipment, setting process parameters, monitoring the process, preparing specimens, etc.
• Documenting test data from each run and for each specimen including process parameters, monitoring outputs, fixturing configuration, heat treatment, etc.
• Working with researchers to develop and carry out manufacturing procedures, assess quality outcomes, add new capability to equipment, and communicate results to customers
• Program robots using both on-line and off-line approaches
• Operating manual and robotic abrasive blasting cells for experimental and production purposes
• Support related processes such as fixture fabrication, surface preparation, heat treatment, dimensional inspection, and microstructural assessment 
• Troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues with the equipment when they arise
• Perform daily and longer-term maintenance on the equipment, coordinate calibrations and related external needs
• Track consumables and replenish as required to ensure resources are on-hand
• Other duties as assigned

Company Overview

CCAM is the center of an ecosystem of collaboration with industry, government, and academia that is focused on helping manufacturers solve real world problems. CCAM works with its partners to develop and deploy new technologies that advance manufacturing and deliver business value. For many companies, joining CCAM can be the difference between being in front of new technology or behind the curve.

Our research focuses on building intelligence in manufacturing processes and systems by bringing experienced, multi-disciplinary teams together with advanced digital systems and manufacturing process capabilities as well as new technology to solve industrial challenges. Whether through new process development, process improvement, new technology development and insertion, system integration and automation, or advanced analytics and AI development, our teams deliver real, usable results. Active research threads include flexible and distributed manufacturing, adaptive automation, cooperative processing, advanced coatings systems, and intelligent repair and replacement through new technologies. 

As an applied research center, CCAM has a very strong, multi-disciplinary resident staff that includes research scientists and engineers, skilled industrial technicians, university faculty and engineering interns and graduate students. These teams work collaboratively with one another as well as with partner organizations to build new and effective approaches to challenges. Our teammates are highly skilled and innovative problem solvers that are focused on delivering value to our customers every day.

Benefits Overview

• Health, Dental, Vision insurance plan options; eligible on first of month following date of hire
• HRA – Health Reimbursement Account (employer funded, covers a portion of the medical deductible)
• FSA – Flexible spending Account (employee funded, pre-tax)
• 401k Retirement Plan – Employer contributes 3% of base salary on a monthly basis; additional discretionary match up to 7.5% determined annually
• Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability insurance (employer funded)
• 3 weeks paid vacation
• 2 weeks paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave 

Minimum Requirements

• Associates Degree or Completion of an Apprenticeship with 2 years of relevant industrial experience -or- 8 years of relevant Industrial Experience
• This position requires access to technology or intellectual property that is subject to export control requirements. Candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license
• Experience with relevant processing equipment
• Proficient application of Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel 
• Experience with SDS sheets and proper storage of chemicals 
• High level attention to detail with respect to observing and documenting findings
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds (e.g., metal samples, lab equipment, chemical containers).
• Standing for extended periods while performing sample preparation, polishing, and microscopy work.
• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills to handle small tools, mount samples, and operate precision equipment.
• Visual acuity to inspect samples under microscopes and recognize fine details in metal structures.
• Hand-eye coordination and steady control for cutting, grinding, and polishing samples accurately.
• Frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive motions to operate lab instruments and handle materials.
• Safe handling of chemicals and lab materials, including wearing appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, lab coats).
• Experience performing some maintenance on equipment and working with others to help diagnose faults.
• Must be able to meet respirator exam and fit testing requirements

Preferred Requirements

• Associates Degree or Completion of an Apprenticeship with five (5) years relevant Industrial Experience or 10 years of relevant Industrial Experience 
• Experience of operating and maintaining complex equipment such as industrial robotics, thermal spray equipment, vacuum coating equipment, laser processes, or CNC machining equipment
• Experience with robotics and/or machining programming
• Experience executing planned research – performing processing as required and documenting experimental results
• Strong troubleshooting and repair skills
• Thermal spray experience

Key Individual Traits to Success at CCAM

• Approaches work with a collaborative, team-first mentality; positive, proactive, with a can-do attitude
• Genuine enthusiasm for the application of research to manufacturing processes
• Excels at problem definition; able to work effectively with open ended or ambiguous problems and/or applications
• Self-driven and results-oriented, with a clear focus on high quality work performance
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, conveys ideas at both technical and non-technical levels; must be a good listener
• Responsible and accountable; able to manage time, cost, and quality to meet project goals
• Eager to gain new experience and learn new skills

CCAM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. CCAM does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.