Research and Development Specialist - Finishing Process

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