Job Description

Chemical Lab Technician II - 1st Shift

Date: Sep 22, 2026

Location:El Cajon, CA, US

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Chemical Technician II will provide chemical process capability to operational and development programs. Accountable for delivering robust, capable chemical technician capability as it applies to materials, processes, and equipment.

Job Responsibilities

• Chemical handling in a dynamic manufacturing setting supporting multiple production lines.
• Work with a cross functional team to execute chemical processes including but not limited to chemical sampling and recharge procedures, waste management, chemical hadling and storage, and chemical laboratory testing.
• Basic troubleshooting of PLC controlled chemical lines.
• Manages the lab and process chemical inventory for the site including determining stock levels and replinishing as necessary.
• Support a DI water filtration station including purity testing and volume management.
• Execute chemical bench testing.
• Oversees records of anlaysis and tank charging in accordance with NADCAP and OEM standards.
• Services and verfies calibration of pipettes and prepare chemical standards required by test methods.
• Support day to day operation of a chemical laboratory alongside chemical engineers and senior laboratory technicians.
• Work with laboratory equipment to support the periodical testing required to support production.
• Safely and responsibly manange handling of hazardous materials on an industrial scale as well as in a laboratory setting.
• Maintain and optimize the chemical levels in automated vibratory and centrifuge lines to maintain optimal operation.
• Participate as a member of the response team for chemical spills and cleanups.
• Submit monthly Kaizens and continuous improvement projects to optimize production procedures.

Job Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent  
• Associate degree in chemistry or related science degree or minimum 3 years of chemical lab experience or related functions, preferably aerospace.
• Ability to review and understand customer and NADCAP requirements.  
• Demonstrated familiarity with specifications, testing equipment, hand tools, analytical instruments, pipettes, burettes, and pneumatic pumps.  
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and verbal/written communication skills.  
• Working knowledge of chemical processing and handling.  
• Must be able to obtain a forklift certification
• Must have or be able to obtain a HAZWOPER certification

Preferred Qualification:

• GKN Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related subject
• Experience with metallic coating removal processes, automated clean lines, and acid etch processes
• Experience with acid handling and safety procedures
• Experience with chemical laboratory testing procedures
• Experience with PLC controlled systems

Mental and Physical Demands

• Good vision with correction
• Ability to climb ladders, lift up to 50 lbs., stand, and crouch and occasionally work in small spaces
• Ability to learn the lab and clean line functions
• 25% heavy work, 55% light work and 20% desk workMental and Physical Demands

Compensation:
The compensation range for this postion is between: $30.00 - $33.00

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.​
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Nearest Major Market: San Diego

Job Tags

Day shift

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