About this Analytical Lab Technician role at Found Industries
Company Overview:
Found Industries is a Cambridge, MA-based industrial technology company building new critical supply chains from resources and infrastructure hiding in plain sight. Launched out of MIT, Found develops and deploys technologies that unlock critical materials and dispatchable clean energy from overlooked industrial feedstocks.
The company operates through two complementary business units: Found Metals and Found Energy. Found Metals recovers strategic materials, including gallium, from existing industrial processing streams. Found Energy converts aluminum, including low-grade and scrap material, into a fuel for behind-the-meter industrial heat and power. The two businesses reinforce one another: Found Metals expands domestic supplies of critical materials used in advanced energy technologies, while Found Energy creates new applications and demand for those materials. Together, they form the foundation of a broader industrial platform focused on strengthening U.S. energy and materials security.
At Found Industries, we are building the industrial capabilities needed for a more resilient and self-reliant future. We believe secure access to critical materials and energy is foundational to economic strength, national security, and long-term prosperity, and we are looking for talented people motivated by that mission to join us. For more, visit https://found-industries.com/.
Position Summary
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Location: Cambridge, MA – On-site
- Reports To: Senior Principal Electrochemical Engineer
- Competitive base salary with early-stage equity.
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, matching 401K benefits and paid life insurance
- 20 days PTO, 11 holidays, 5 sick days, 12 weeks parental leave
The Analytical Lab Technician is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Found Industries’ analytical laboratory, providing the testing and data that support research, engineering and process development. Working primarily with ICP, XRF and SEM, the technician prepares and analyzes samples to help characterize materials and evaluate experimental outcomes. This person owns the analytical workflow from receiving and organizing testing requests through reviewing data quality and delivering clear, traceable results to the originating scientist or engineer.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Manage the day-to-day analytical testing workflow, including sample intake, request tracking, scheduling and communication of expected turnaround times.
- Prepare, label, handle and store samples according to established procedures.
- Operate ICP-OES, XRF and SEM instruments to perform testing requested by scientists and engineers using approved methods.
- Perform instrument calibration and quality control checks; identify questionable results and coordinate repeat testing or escalation as needed.
- Compile and deliver accurate, timely results to the original requester, clearly identifying samples, methods, units and relevant limitations.
- Maintain traceable records linking each testing request and sample to preparation details, raw data, quality checks and final results.
- Perform routine instrument care, maintain equipment logs, monitor consumables and coordinate service needs to keep the analytical laboratory ready for testing.
- Document procedures and support improvements to testing consistency, turnaround time and reporting.
- Follow laboratory safety, chemical handling and waste management procedures.
Qualifications
Required
- Education & Experience: Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in chemistry, materials science or a related technical field, or equivalent practical laboratory experience.
- Hands-on analytical laboratory experience, including sample preparation and operation of complex material characterization equipment.
- Understanding of calibration, analytical quality control, contamination prevention and accurate laboratory documentation.
- Ability to perform concentration and dilution calculations and use spreadsheets and instrument software to organize, check and report data.
- Ability to follow established procedures, work independently after training, manage competing requests and communicate clearly with technical teams.
- Experience handling chemicals safely and following laboratory safety and waste management procedures.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and or Google Workspace suite of tools
- Safety-conscious, proactive, and effective in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Ability to work full-time on-site in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Preferred Attributes
- Experience with multiple core instruments and with elemental analysis or materials characterization of liquid and solid samples.
- Familiarity with electronic laboratory notebooks or laboratory information management systems and routine instrument troubleshooting.
- Experience supporting research, process development or metals and materials testing, including complex or corrosive sample matrices.
- Strong attention to detail, dependable follow-through and a service-oriented approach to supporting scientists and engineers.
- Curiosity, practical problem-solving skills and willingness to learn new instruments and adapt as testing needs evolve.
Found Industries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
