R&D Technician - ASTREA

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.

The Research and Development Technician will be part of a collaborative team developing new technologies related to aluminum production in electrolytic cells of various scales. The candidate will work with a team to develop and manufacture components for use in aluminum processing, along with maintaining records of observations, results, and data from experiments. Our team at Alcoa Technical Center (ATC), located in New Kensington, PA, consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, including scientists, engineers, and technicians.

About the Role

This is your opportunity to shape your career through the skills and experience you bring to the role now and by training for the roles you may want in the future. Our success depends on great teams, where you can thrive and do your best work in a supportive environment.

- Operate processing equipment, including mixers, mills, extruders, dryers and furnaces.

- Operation of cranes and fork trucks (On-site training to be provided).

- Collaborate with a team to develop new materials and processes, collect samples, and report findings.

- Complete tasks around and with equipment where fumes, dust, and chemicals exist (PPE required).

- Understand and follow safe work instructions in line with Alcoa’s policies and procedures.

- Perform work in crouching, kneeling, and stooping positions.

What you can bring to this role:

- High school diploma, GED, or trade school degree in mechanical/electrical trades.

- Candidates with experience in a manufacturing environment preferred but not required.

- Good mechanical skills, comfortable using hand tools.

- Ability to perform material handling (up to x pounds), weighing, following process steps in sequence, and documenting process data.

- Valid Driver’s License required.

- Flexible with schedule changes.

Preferred Qualifications:

- 2 years relevant work experience in a light industry environment (example: vehicle repair garages, paint and chemical production, building maintenance shops, metal work, millwork, and cabinetry work)

- 2 years relevant work experience in the testing or laboratory environment

- 2 years relevant work experience with materials processing

What we offer:

- Shift differentials, overtime & holiday pay

- 120 hours of paid vacation per year (prorated based on hire date your first year).

- Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA

- 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan

- 10 holidays and one flexible holiday of your choice.

- 56 hours of sick/safe leave

- 4 hours of Paid annual volunteer hours

- Alcoa has been chosen as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek

#LI-TL2

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at

gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.