Research and Development Specialist - Finishing Process

lansdale, PA
Full Time
Mid Level

Manufacturing Finishing Specialist (Finishing Room Lead)

📍 Location: On-site
🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time
💼 Experience Level: Mid-Senior (5+ Years)
🏭 Industry: Manufacturing / Machinery


Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Finishing Specialist to lead day-to-day operations within a precision finishing environment. This role is ideal for a mechanically inclined professional with direct experience in industrial finishing processes such as blasting, deburring, and surface treatment.

You will play a critical role in managing finishing operations, supporting process development, and acting as a technical liaison between manufacturing, engineering, and customer-facing teams. This position requires both operational expertise and the ability to contribute to process improvement and innovation initiatives.


Key Responsibilities

Finishing Operations

  • Operate and manage finishing room equipment and processes
  • Set up, run, and optimize finishing equipment for production and testing
  • Troubleshoot equipment, process variables, and finishing outcomes
  • Maintain equipment, media, chemicals, and process standards
  • Ensure accurate documentation of process parameters and quality results

Research & Development

  • Design and improve finishing processes including:
    • Vibratory finishing
    • Blasting and deburring
    • Washing systems
    • Electropolishing
    • Shot peening and triboconditioning
  • Conduct testing and trials to evaluate performance and quality
  • Analyze data and recommend process improvements
  • Develop new methods, materials, and configurations to enhance outcomes

Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with sales teams to understand customer requirements
  • Support customer-facing activities including sample testing and process validation
  • Generate technical reports and recommendations for clients
  • Collaborate with engineering and production teams to resolve finishing challenges

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, surface finishing, or related field
  • Hands-on experience with industrial finishing processes and equipment
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills
  • Ability to analyze technical data and drive process improvements
  • Excellent communication skills for cross-functional and customer interaction
  • Experience in environments performing in-house product finishing strongly preferred

Preferred Experience

  • Vibratory finishing, blasting, or washing systems
  • Electropolishing or shot peening
  • Chemical finishing processes (e.g., triboconditioning)
  • Exposure to process development or R&D environments
  • Leadership or team oversight experience

Core Competencies

  • Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
  • Technical Problem Solving
  • Data Analysis & Reporting
  • Customer-Facing Communication
  • Mechanical & Operational Expertise
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

Additional Notes

  • Candidates must have experience in industrial finishing environments
  • Backgrounds in pharmaceutical manufacturing are not a fit for this role






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