Job Overview

The Corporate Technology Center (CTC) Materials Process & Design group at TE Connectivity in Fremont, CA invites applicants for a Technician III.  TE Connectivity is the home of well-known brands of electric and electronic components with a wide span of applications from automotive to appliance.  The CTC Materials Process & Design group plays an integral role within the company through supporting and developing leading edge polymer formulation and manufacturing technologies related to polymeric material and plastics processing innovation.  Our team of experts offers tremendous opportunities for innovation and advancement of original knowledge in the field.

TE Connectivity is seeking a hands-on Plastics Processing & Materials Development Technician to support the development, evaluation, and scale-up of polymer materials and plastics manufacturing processes. This position will collaborate closely with other team members from the material development and processing teams to execute material trials, operate plastics processing equipment, prepare test samples, characterize materials and prototypes, troubleshoot processing issues, and document experimental results.

The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical aptitude with practical experience in polymer processing and is comfortable working in a development environment where equipment setups, materials, tooling, and processing conditions may change frequently. The technician will play a vital role in accelerating new material and process development from initial laboratory evaluation through pilot-scale trials and manufacturing implementation.

Job Requirements

• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot plastics processing and laboratory equipment.
• Support extrusion, molding, compounding, and polymer material development activities.
• Prepare, dry, blend, and process polymer materials and experimental formulations.
• Conduct engineering trials and adjust processing parameters such as temperature, screw speed, line speed, pressure, cooling conditions, and material feed rates.
• Produce prototype samples and test specimens for engineering evaluation.
• Perform basic material and mechanical testing, dimensional measurements, and visual/microscopic inspection.
• Support Design of Experiments (DOE), material evaluations, process optimization, and root-cause investigations.
• Identify and communicate material and processing abnormalities or defects.
• Accurately document processing conditions, observations, measurements, and test results.
• Maintain development equipment, tooling, materials, and laboratory areas and follow applicable safety procedures.
• Support evaluation and development of thermoplastic materials, polymer compounds, additives, fillers, colorants, and material formulations

What your background should look like

• Associate degree, technical degree/certification, or equivalent relevant industrial experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in plastics processing, materials testing, manufacturing, laboratory development, or a related technical environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to operate manufacturing or laboratory equipment.
• Experience with measurement equipment such as micrometers, calipers, gauges, digital microscope, and laboratory equipment.
• Experience with material testing equipment such as Instron, UL, capillary rheology, etc.
• Basic Microsoft Excel and data-recording skills.
• Willingness to learn new AI documentation protocols.
• Ability to follow experimental procedures and work effectively with engineering teams.
• Hands-on and mechanically inclined with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working with experimental processes and equipment.
• Able to work independently while following engineering direction.
• Strong commitment to safety and accurate documentation.
• Demonstrate ability to work within a team environment.
• A strong team player with a positive, proactive, and professional attitude.

Competencies