New Product Development Lab Technician

Brentwood Industries, Inc.•Reading, PA

80d•Onsite

About The Position

The NPD Lab Technician plays a key role in bringing packaging concepts to life by operating sample lab thermoforming equipment consisting of, a semi-automated vacuum former, swing arm clicker trim press, 3D printer, and other various equipment to produce high-quality prototypes. Along with these duties, this employee will also maintain the lab’s inventory of supplies and cleanliness. The NPD Lab Technician will collaborate closely with engineers and designers to support prototyping, testing, and sample production across multiple projects. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required; technical coursework or associate degree preferred.
1–3 years of experience in a manufacturing, prototyping, or lab setting preferred.
Mechanical aptitude with the ability to work hands-on with equipment, tools, and materials.
Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings or part specifications.
Comfortable using measurement tools (e.g., calipers, rulers, gauges) for quality checks.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Basic computer skills, including file management and use of standard office software

Nice To Haves

Experience operating or maintaining 3D printers (FDM preferred) is a strong plus.
Familiarity with thermoforming, vacuum forming, or plastics manufacturing is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Set up, run, and monitor 3D printer; manage the print queue based on project priorities and deadlines.
Maintain adequate supplies and materials for 3D printing and lab operations; place orders or flag shortages as needed.
Perform basic 3D printer maintenance and troubleshoot printing issues.
Operate thermoforming and vacuum forming lab equipment to produce sample parts.
Trim sample parts with clicker press or other hand methods.
Inspect prototype parts for visual quality, dimensional accuracy, and overall performance.
Record process parameters and measurements during prototyping to support repeatability and documentation.
Maintain a clean, organized, lab space with well-labeled materials, parts, and tools.
Support the Design Engineering team by assembling mockups, running tests, or preparing materials. Assist with fixture building, and other hands-on tasks.
Crosstrain to support QA as needed.
Participate in process improvement efforts and provide feedback on prototype functionality.
Follow all lab safety procedures and ensure compliance with operational best practices