R&D Validation Lab Technician

Napoleon leads the way with innovative engineering, advanced manufacturing techniques, unsurpassed customer service and remarkable product quality. Our award-winning products offer a best-in-class experience for all customers' home comfort needs. While we are proudly Canadian, Napoleon is also fortunate to operate on a world-wide scale.

The warmth and experience that a Napoleon product brings to the homes of our customers transcends borders, language, and cultures to enhance everyday living across the globe. Throughout North America, Europe, South America and Asia, Napoleon creates memorable moments through our stunning designs and innovative technologies.

Title:
Validation Lab Technician

Reports to:
Validation Manager/Supervisor

Location:
9 Napoleon Road, Barrie

Shift:
Afternoon (3pm-11pm)

Job Purpose:
Responsible for Product Validation; ensure products being tested meet or exceed applicable safety standards, and internal (WSL) performance, appearance, and durability requirements.

Supports New Product Development by participating in all aspects of new product design, development, fabrication, assembly, and testing. Additionally, provides input as part of a cross functional team to aid in the resolution of field issues with current and past production units.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Set-up and conduct performance, safety testing and other activities related to product development validation and certification following internal and industry standards and test methods (CSA, ANSI, UL, ASHRAE, AHRI), including, but not limited to:
• Performance and Efficiency: input rates, burner operation, energy and fuel efficiency (P4.1, AFUE, FER, SEER, HSPF, etc)
• Safety: ignition tests, emissions, structural integrity and reliability, enclosure temperatures
• Electrical and control systems testing
• Environmental testing: wind, rain, hot/cold temperatures testing
• Technical documentation: review and validate technical data and specifications, assembly, installation and service procedures for appliances and accessories
• Accurate and appropriate data collection using various R&D calibrated equipment for pressure, flow, temperature, combustion products, and electrical parameters.
• Data storage including test sheets, raw data, photographs, processed data, videos, reports etc. correctly in company testing project folders.
• Data analysis and reporting focusing on accuracy and completeness. Appropriately recording, analyzing and interpreting results to generate thorough, accurate and detailed test reports including appropriate conclusions and recommendations based on a clear understanding of engineering principles specific to respective product group, including but not limited to gas combustion and heat transfer, Air blowers/fans and Air flow in ducts, Air conditioning systems, Refrigeration and Psychrometry, Electric circuitry, controls and motors.
• Effectively collaborate with project / production coordinators for product reviews, (DFM, DFA, DFI, DFS), benchmarking (competitors and existing products), design review, testing reviews and in doing so provide relevant data, recommendations and conclusions regarding manufacturability, performance, cost reduction or durability. Where applicable collaborate with QA to provide support for root cause analysis and Assist to product built during engineering run by providing necessary training to assembly personnel.
• Sheet Metal Layout and Fabrication: Creating hand sketches for self or others to use for the purpose of making sample parts, limited prototypes and communicating changes to project coordinators or designers. Producing sample parts from sketches using R&D equipment. Track consumables to ensure new order is placed for necessary quantities before those run out.
• Build and assemble prototype units: Assemble prototypes from production parts, prototype, or modified components or samples. Modify parts as required for prototypes using a variety of techniques. Record any issues during prototype and propose suitable design changes to improve manufacturability, performance, installation, service, or durability.
• Consistently report relevant findings and new information in company 'Lessons Learned' spreadsheet / database with a view to improve future products and/or test procedures. Provide guidance, training and coaching to Assistant Lab Technician, students, or Co-ops in order to understand the task and perform their work in a safe and effective manner.
• Planning daily, weekly and monthly work for assigned projects based on timing deadlines and test input from project coordinators. Including determining the time and materials required to complete; where necessary informing the project coordinator regarding constraints, resources required and recommendations to ensure on time completion at reasonable cost. Meet assigned deadlines, where necessary taking corrective actions to recover lost time or use of preapproved overtime.
• Safe use and operation, (where applicable after training), of R&D construction equipment. Including but not limited to: Welder, Plasma Cutter, Band Saw, Drill Press, Glass Cutter, Belt Sander, Bench Grinder, Paint Booth operation, Paint Storage, Metal Shear, and Metal Break etc. Power Tools: Disc Grinder, Drills, Air Nailer, Air riveters, Jig Saw, Sawzall, and Circular Saw etc. Hand tools: driver/gun, Specific equipment: Gas analyzer, Compressed Gas, Vacuum pump and Refrigerant recovery machine, Thermocouple welder etc. Safe operation of forklift, scissor lift, walk-behind stacker (where licensed and authorized)
• Use of company prescribed health and safety equipment appropriate for the tool and/or work area.
• Ensuring a safe and professional work area is maintained, including proper storage of all tools and equipment, work area to be clean, well-organized and presentable on a daily basis, considering the application of 5S. Promptly identify safety concerns to lab project coordinator, supervisor and or manager and advise other associates in the event of observing unsafe practices.
• Undertake certification testing for assigned projects in collaboration with project coordinator and 3rd party testing agency ensuring a focus on correct testing methods and procedures to the relevant standard.

General Daily Responsibilities:

• Be on time and adequately prepared for all meetings
• Work to the project direction of their assigned PC or manager during product development
• Report SR&ED time and materials weekly
• Keep Task Board up to date
• Know companies monthly core value and how it is intended to be applied
• Dress code in effect
• Technical Support for Production Department
• Maintain and Calibrate Lab Equipment
• Work independently or in conjunction with corresponding R&D Engineering team, Review and Update Work Instructions and Forms
• Provide occasional support for sample / show set-up for events within the company and at third party locations.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Education:
Post-Secondary/College Diploma in Engineering Technology - preferably with Mechanical focus or equivalent and/or Directly Related Experience in Grills/Hearth/HVAC respectively.

Directly applicable demonstrated experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Minimum Years of Experience:

Minimum 5 years work experience. A minimum of 2 years related experience in grills/hearth/HVAC products respectively and/or sheet metal fabrication, manufacturing including product assembly etc. Greater experience in a related field may be considered.

May be reduced to:

• 1-year related experience with 2-year College Diploma in a related field of study; OR
• 1-year related experience preferred with a 3-year College Diploma in a related field of study.

Certifications Required:
Gas/Wood: G3 or WETT or National Fireplace Institute (NFI) gas, or ODP Certificate (to be completed within 2 years), wood and/or pellet (superior candidates), G2 (superior candidate), 313 (superior candidates).

Computer Software Requirement:
Microsoft Office, (strong excel is a recognized asset, i.e. data analysis, charting, macros, formula, etc.), Visual, Internet Research Skills, SolidWorks fundamentals (is an asset), LabVIEW (superior candidates.

Specialized Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of tests and measurement including data collection and analysis. Blueprint reading. Hands on with tools and equipment.
• Welder/Fitter (preferred), SolidWorks Fundamentals (preferred), GD&T Tolerance, WSL Forklift License (preferred), trained in problem solving, DFMEA, risk assessment six sigma (superior candidates)
• Demonstrated knowledge of AC/DC fundamentals, DC circuity, PCB and power calculations for electrical technicians.
• HVAC: Clear understanding of refrigeration cycles, brazing, charging systems, refrigeration piping, layout, AC circuitry up to 600 volts.
• Gas: Demonstrated knowledge of combustion and related analysis. Understanding of basic gas appliance operation and related safety procedures

The Napoleon Group of Companies is committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain Associates with disabilities. This includes providing accessibility across all stages of the employment cycle. Accommodation is available upon request.

We thank you for your interest in The Napoleon Group of Companies and for participating in our competition. Only those candidates selected for consideration will be contacted.