Analytical Lab Technician at Niron Magnetics

Niron Magnetics is a venture-backed start-up developing the only known magnetic material with the potential to displace widely used rare earth permanent magnets. These rare earth permanent magnets are found in electric motors, generators, sensors, actuators, and a variety of everyday machines. Unfortunately, the mining and refining of these materials incur harsh social and environmental costs.

Niron Magnetics has developed a magnetic material that is free of critical materials (including rare earth elements), which eliminates the environmental damage caused by their use.  Niron is comprised of a team of engineers and scientists with a desire to make a positive impact in our community.

About the Position:

The Analytical Lab Technician will perform sample preparation and operate analytical equipment for advanced materials analysis. The input material is a nano material composed of iron nitride used for making bulk permanent magnets.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities:

• Preparation steps will largely be performed using a glove box inert environment because the nano iron nitride powders used to make the samples are unstable in air. This requires physical dexterity inside the glove box, precise measurements of mass in the glove box, handling of epoxies in the glove box, and detailed work organization
• Operate a variety of analytical equipment such as x-ray diffractometer (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), oxygen-nitrogen-hydrogen (ONH) analyzer, BET specific surface area analyzer, Hysteresis Graph, SAXS, and laser diffractometer for particle size distribution analysis
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by Niron for carefully developed measurement methods
• Although SOPs must be followed, this individual will be encouraged to suggest improvements to the procedures, develop and implement these improvements, and document them if adopted by management
• Determine optimal scheduling to ensure samples are prepared and measured in a timely fashion. Our team operates in a highly autonomous way; day-to-day operations are governed by a scheduling system based on inputs from engineering and management
• Some weekend or evening shift work may be requested by management
• Perform all duties according to Niron’s Safety Program

Basic Qualifications:

• 2-year degree in technical field required
• Excellent hands-on skills and ability to operate lab equipment
• Strong attention to detail
• Must be highly collaborative and able to work within a diverse team environment
• At least 3 years of industry experience
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field
• 5+ years of industry experience
• Experience with 6S programs
• Experience with ISO in manufacturing environment with understanding of the importance of following standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Quality and customer mindset
• Academic and/or industry experience working with advanced materials
• Flexible work hours

Compensation:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity position in Niron
• 401k plan with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Mental healthcare
• Life insurance, long and short-term disability
• Experience in a venture backed start-up