Coatings Process Chemistry Technician

Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.

Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.

Learn about our company culture directly from our team.

YOU

You will serve as the primary process chemistry resource for the Gallatin E-Coat operation. This role is responsible for chemical testing, process control, approved chemical additions, inventory management, and maintaining the health of the pretreatment and E-Coat systems. You will be expected to identify chemical trends, troubleshoot out-of-control conditions, and work with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to maintain stable process performance and prevent coating-related defects. You will work a 1st shift Monday through Friday schedule 6am-2:30pm.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)

Conduct daily chemical testing and process control for pretreatment and E-Coat systems. Perform titrations, pH checks, conductivity testing, and other solution control tests per SOP. Verify results, review operating limits, identify abnormal trends, and maintain complete testing logs and process control records (30%)

Perform approved chemical additions to E-Coat, pretreatment, zirconium, and supporting process tanks when results are out of specification or trending out of control. Safely handle, transfer, mix, pump, and add process chemicals from 55-gallon drums, totes, pails, bulk containers, and approved chemical feed systems while following all SDS, PPE, labeling, storage, and EHS requirements. Document all chemical additions, verify addition amounts, and communicate adjustments to appropriate stakeholders. (30%)

Provide day-to-day oversight of E-Coat line chemistry by monitoring bath condition, chemical consumption, inventory levels, reagent availability, sample collection practices, and testing repeatability. Escalate out-of-specification results, questionable data, unusual chemical usage, equipment issues, or process conditions that may affect coating quality, corrosion performance, adhesion, or line stability. (15%)

Maintain and improve lab and chemical-control documentation, including testing records, chemical addition logs, inventory records, spreadsheets, electronic quality records, work instructions, visual standards, and training material. Support training and verification of approved personnel who perform E-Coat chemistry testing or chemical handling activities. (15%) 

Participate in various improvements projects related to process chemistry, product quality and lab efficiency. (5%) 

Report non-conformances using TQC system and follow through to execution of disposition. (5%) 

The essential duties and responsibilities of this job are included but not limited to this job description – other tasks may be assigned and expected to be performed.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

If you can do everything listed above, you’ve got what it takes. Perhaps some of the following would be helpful too:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry preferred or equivalent hands-on experience in industrial process chemistry, coatings, pretreatment, plating, wastewater treatment, surface finishing, or chemical process control will also be considered.
• 3+ years of experience in Laboratory chemical testing, wet chemistry, manufacturing quality, coatings, pretreatment, plating, surface finishing, or closely related process control work.
• Hands on experience with titrations, pH meters, conductivity meters, sample dilution, concentration calculations, reagent handling, endpoint recognition, and chemical bath control.
• Strong preference for experience with E-Coat, pretreatment, conversion coatings, zirconium or phosphate chemistry, corrosion testing, paint/coating quality, or metal finishing processes
• Experience calculating chemical additions, dilution rates, replenishment requirements, and process adjustments based on laboratory results
• Maintain chemical inventories and coordinate replenishment requirements to ensure uninterrupted operation of the E-Coat process
• Familiarity with chemical handling safety procedures, including SDS interpretation, PPE usage and chemical storage/labeling standards
• Ability to work in a Microsoft software environment including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word. 
• Ability to have attention to detail and ensure accuracy of information. Ability to identify options for solving a problem.
• Ability to meet productivity standards, deadlines and work schedules. Ability to fulfill all commitments made to peers, co-workers, and supervisors. Ability to hold self-accountable for measurable, high-quality, and timely results. Ability to work independently and efficiently.
• Ability to work well within a small team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Accountability & Dependability. Able to consistently demonstrate reliable, punctual attendance
• Mathematical Reasoning: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiple and divide with 10’s and 100’s.
• Ability to Work Independently: Follow both written and oral instructions, including safety guidelines, work instructions, and company policies.
• Attendance: Able to consistently demonstrate reliable, punctual attendance in accordance with our attendance policy.
• Safety is the top priority. You will be required to quickly recognize and respond to dangerous situations in a safe and efficient manner. You must lead by example, by following all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) rules and requirements and always wearing the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes gloves, protective clothing, heat-resistant gear, and, when required, respirators to protect against burns, chemical exposure, and other potential hazards.
• Continuously build your skillset to influence decisions and recommend/implement process improvements in an effort to grow department throughput while meeting product quality.
• Communication Skills: Speak in the most effective way to relay information to all departments and at all levels within the organization.  Listen and ask questions to ensure understanding.
• Quality Standards Knowledge: Demonstrate an understanding of company quality standards and company quality control processes.
• Problem Solving: Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists
• Teamwork: Ability to work with other team members to accomplish group goals
• Results Focus & Initiative: Ability to multitask and take initiative in a challenging, fast-paced environment.
• Customer Service Skills: Apply customer service principles and processes on the job and with others
• Reading Comprehension: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

No travel is required. This position will require travel to an alternate facility for training prior to startup.

WORK STATUS & LOCATION

This full-time, non-exempt position is in Gallatin, TN.

RELOCATION

Relocation is not available for this position.

PAY

$28.46 - $45.53 / hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, see, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. This role operates large equipment and needs to constantly position self to maintain the operation of equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and heavier weights with proper equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Regularly work around moving mechanical parts. The noise level is loud. The job may risk exposure to dust, heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions.

REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE

We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.

• Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
• Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.

In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.

Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.

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