Chemist

With more than 120 operations and approximately 20,000 employees worldwide, Precision Castparts Corp. is the market leader in manufacturing large, complex structural investment castings, airfoil castings, forged components, aerostructures and highly engineered, critical fasteners for aerospace applications. In addition, we are the leading producer of airfoil castings for the industrial gas turbine market. We also manufacture extruded seamless pipe, fittings, and forgings for power generation and oil & gas applications; commercial and military airframe aerostructures; and metal alloys and other materials for the casting and forging industries. With such critical applications, we insist on quality and dependability – not just in the materials and products we make, but in the people we recruit.

PCC is relentless in its dedication to being a high-quality, low-cost and on-time producer; delivering the highest value to its customers while continually pursuing strategic, profitable growth.

In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway, led by Chairman and CEO Warren E. Buffett, acquired Precision Castparts Corp.

Location Profile:

Southwest United Industries was established in 1953. Today it is an industry leader in providing complete metal finishing services as well as aviation component repair and overhaul from its 130,000 ft² facility in Tulsa. Southwest primarily serves the Aerospace & Defense industries but also supports the medical, oil & gas, and general industrial base as well.

Our services include chrome, cadmium and nickel plating; plasma and HVOF thermal spray coating; hard, chromic, boric and sulfuric anodizing, including chemical conversion coating; all types of painting, including dry film lube and Teflon; non-destructive testing; shot peening; all types of precision grinding including OD, ID, surface, spherical and super-finishing. Southwest maintains Nadcap accreditation for all processes as well as an extensive list of customer specific approvals including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, Northrop Grumman, Goodrich, Messier-Dowty, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Honeywell, Parker and Cessna.

Southwest has a highly skilled team of coating and production engineers along with an outstanding support staff together having many hundreds of years of experience. Southwest, through these fine people, offer unrivaled quality and service. Southwest United is committed to continuous improvement in order to provide our customers with improved coatings solutions while reducing the costs and lead time.

For the past 60 years the vision of Southwest United Industries has remained consistent; "To be the best full-service, single-source, metal finishing company in North America."

Position Summary:

The Chemist primary responsibility is to ensure that all chemistry is appropriately maintained to ensure production has the ability to meet customer commitments. Specifically they will ensure compliance with customer and industry specifications, and internal procedures, ensure consistent tank chemistry, perform nonconformance resolution, and maintain the chemical and supply inventory.

This will include test validation, reviewing/directing tank adjustments, and maintaining the TrueChem database. 

They must display a sense of ownership for the metal finishing processes and a sense of urgency to keep the tanks on-line.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Ensure chemistry compliance with AS9100, NADCAP, Customer and Industry specifications, and internal procedures
• Perform data and trend analysis and reporting on the status of the Lab and process tanks
• Provide clear communication to Operations and other departments to avoid disruptions and customer delays
• Communicate and escalate urgent matters to alert team and management of issues, delays, milestones, and overall performance
• Ensure appropriate testing techniques and equipment are available and properly implemented.
• Investigate and determine resolution for out of spec. conditions in a timely manner
• Ensure timely testing and adjustments to tank chemistry.  This includes coordination with EHS for the disposal of chemical waste
• Maintain contact with Chemical Suppliers for technical support in the resolution of nonconforming conditions and for maintaining competitive pricing and timely delivery
• Coordinate lab equipment calibration and service
• Review new and revised specifications for gap analysis and implementation ensuring tanks are able to meet multi-spec requirements
• Maintain TrueChem database for accurate records of analysis, composition, adjustments, and specification adherence 
• Maintain the Lab and associated areas in a safe, clean and efficient manner
• Promote unity of the team, aligning expectations, and develop of both short term and long term plans to increase the lab standards

Required Skills:

• Understanding of metal finishing, specifically plating processes, such as nickel, chrome, and anodize
• Working knowledge of quality systems, process control, statistical analysis, specifications, and manufacturing safety practices
• Ability to work with hazardous materials and utilizing appropriate PPE
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Self-motivated and ability to work well with others
• Good working knowledge of personal computers and standard office software with ability to develop and maintain spreadsheets, reports, and presentations
• Ability to multi-task in fast-paced environment

Required Experience and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field required
• Master’s degree in related field preferred
• 3+ years of experience in Chemistry lab required
• Electroplating/Anodizing, aerospace industry experience preferred