Junior R&D / Pilot Plant Technician

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About You and This Role

Dow has an exciting opportunity for a Junior R&D / Pilot Plant Technician supporting Research & Development activities in Freeport TX and South Charleston, WV .

In this role, you will support the safe and reliable operation of R&D pilot plant and laboratory activities that contribute to the development, testing, characterization, and optimization of products, processes, and technologies. You will work closely with Research Scientists, Engineers, Technologists, leaders, and other technicians to execute planned experiments, generate samples and high-quality data, perform testing, and continuously improve laboratory and pilot plant capabilities.

You are a self-starter who can identify, prioritize, and accomplish multiple tasks while working in a fast-paced R&D environment. You will use established procedures and standard operating practices to perform routine activities while developing the technical skills needed to troubleshoot equipment and processes, support experimental work, and contribute to continuous improvement.

You will be accountable for the safety, quality, accuracy, and timely completion of your assigned work and will receive appropriate supervision, guidance, and technical direction from experienced technicians, technologists, engineers, and research scientists.

Responsibilities

- Safely operate, monitor, and support assigned R&D pilot plant and laboratory equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and quality requirements.
- Perform routine operational and laboratory activities, including field checks, equipment preparation, sample collection and preparation, physical testing, process monitoring, and data collection.
- Execute experiments and testing to support R&D programs and provide samples, process information, and test results to Research Scientists, Engineers, and other internal stakeholders.
- Develop familiarity with equipment, instruments, test methods, and operating requirements and build troubleshooting skills to resolve routine process, equipment, instrument, and testing issues.
- Monitor process conditions, equipment, instrumentation, and control systems and identify deviations or opportunities for improvement.
- Collect, document, analyze, and report experimental, process, and laboratory data accurately and in a timely manner.
- Use appropriate quality assurance and quality control practices to help ensure acceptable equipment performance and data quality.
- Support troubleshooting, minor equipment repairs, preventative maintenance, equipment improvements, and optimization activities.
- Participate in the implementation of new equipment, instruments, and test methods, including development or revision of operating procedures and training materials.
- Conduct experiments to understand and continuously improve the capabilities, reliability, and efficiency of R&D processes, instruments, test methods, and laboratory operations.
- Support or conduct R&D projects under the guidance of Research Scientists, Engineers, Technologists, or other technical leaders.
- Identify and support opportunities to improve safety, data quality, equipment reliability, work processes, asset utilization, productivity, and delivery of results.
- Prioritize work based on operational needs, customer requirements, relative importance, and urgency.
- Coordinate work with other laboratories, pilot plants, and technical organizations as needed.
- Work collaboratively with scientists, engineers, technicians, technologists, leaders, and other cross-functional partners to meet project and stakeholder needs.
- Develop a foundational understanding of Life Critical Standards, operating discipline, quality systems, and site/facility safety expectations.
- Complete all assigned technical, safety, and facility training.
- Satisfy all applicable safety, quality, and operating requirements.

Required Qualifications

- A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED/equivalent .
- Ability to work legally in the United States. No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including support for any type of U.S. permanent residency (green card) process.
- Ability to follow the work schedule required by the assigned R&D operation, which may include a 12-hour rotating shift schedule .
- Proficiency with Microsoft applications such as Word and Excel and the ability to learn new systems and software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Ability to identify, prioritize, and accomplish multiple tasks.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and effectively interact with scientists, engineers, technicians, co-workers, leaders, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to read, write, and speak English.

Preferred Qualifications

- Associate's degree in Process Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field .
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, or a related scientific or technical field .
- Previous laboratory, manufacturing, pilot plant, or related technical experience.
- Experience working in a physical testing or characterization laboratory.
- Experience with physical testing methods related to plastics, including optics, film, rigid materials, or resin properties.
- Experience troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation, process equipment, or test methods.
- Experience with quality assurance/quality control practices.
- Experience developing, implementing, or improving test methods, instrumentation, or operating procedures.

Your Skills

- Laboratory and Technical Testing: Ability to perform technical testing, operate laboratory equipment, follow established methods, and generate accurate and reliable results.
- Troubleshooting and Problem Solving: Ability to identify equipment, process, testing, or data-quality issues and work toward effective solutions.
- Data Quality and Quality Control: Ability to follow established quality practices and help ensure accurate, consistent, and reliable experimental and testing data.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Ability to manage multiple tasks, establish priorities, and complete work according to operational and customer needs.
- Communication: Ability to clearly document, communicate, and report technical information and results to appropriate stakeholders.
- Plant and Laboratory Safety: Ability to work within established safety systems and operating disciplines to help prevent incidents and protect people, equipment, and the environment.

Physical Requirements

Must be willing and able to perform the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:

- Wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses/goggles, hearing protection, safety footwear, and other applicable PPE.
- Wear and use respiratory protection when required.
- Perform frequent bending, reaching, and lifting.
- Stand or walk for extended periods.
- Climb stairs and ladders and work at elevated heights where required.
- Work in tight or confined spaces where required.
- Work indoors and outdoors/in field environments.
- Frequently or occasionally lift materials weighing approximately 50 pounds.
- Wear and use required fall-protection equipment or harnesses when applicable.

Additional Notes

- This position does not offer relocation assistance .

Benefits – What Dow offers you

We invest in you.

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee:

- Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives.
- Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it.
- Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals.  Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).

- Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only). Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.

- Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
- Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building.
- Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs.
- Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
- Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).
- Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.
- Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation.
- Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
- On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
- Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
- Additionally, some of our locations might offer: Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
- Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
- Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting   www.dow.com .

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com .

Dow is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is committed to providing opportunities without regard for race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity, national origin, age, disability and genetic information, including family medical history. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.