About Vartega

Vartega is making carbon fiber more accessible to more industries by solving the world’s toughest advanced materials recycling challenges.

We are developing composite recycling technologies to divert material from landfills into high-performance, lightweight end markets. The Lead R&D Technician will support the next generation of recycling technologies at Vartega.

If you share our core values of Accountability, Action, Collaboration, Communication, and Respect, please apply.

Job Description

Role and Responsibilities

The Lead R&D Technician will be responsible for driving the development of next-generation advanced material recycling processes at Vartega by leading the operations of the R&D team. The role requires hands-on experimentation and process development, with safety as the number one priority. Projects will involve developing mechanical and chemical recycling processes and thermoplastic polymer processing and testing. The Lead R&D Technician will work directly with the R&D team, providing leadership and mentorship.

The role will involve:

• Creating and maintaining a safe working environment
• Leading the R&D team in daily operations
• Developing recycling processes for new carbon fiber waste streams
• Developing novel composite recycling processes
• Designing experiments and interpreting experimental results
• Mechanical and chemical recycling process development
• Thermoplastic compounding development
• Injection molding development
• Mechanical testing of thermoplastics
• Troubleshooting processes and manufacturing equipment
• Reporting experimental parameters and results through lab reports and presentations

Requirements

• Leadership experience in a technical manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with documenting work via a lab notebook and reporting results in lab reports
• Ability to generate new processes, adapt existing methods, and learn new processes
• Ability to train others in processes
• Experience troubleshooting processes and manufacturing equipment
• Capable of multi-tasking and leading a small independent team
• Must be self-directed and have the ability to work independently and with little supervision
• The ability to work with various personalities and remain calm and courteous in all situations
• Strong problem-solving and problem-resolution skills
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Attentive to detail and well-organized
• Agile and able to adapt to changing circumstances

Preferred Education Experience

• Associate’s Degree and/or 4+ years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical field preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• AD&D, short and long-term disability
• Matching 401(k)
• Equity incentive package
• Paid time off, including Colorado HFWA
• Performance incentive package