Associate Analytical Technician

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

 

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place.

About you and this role

Dow is seeking an Associate Analytical Technician to join the Polyethylene Laboratory in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. In this role, you will support the site’s polyethylene production units by generating accurate and timely analytical data to guide process decisions and ensure final product quality.

You will perform physical testing on pelleted polyethylene samples and operate key analytical instruments such as densitometers, melt indexers, and FTIR. You will also conduct tests, record results, and report findings in accordance with established methods and safe operating procedures to maintain data quality and reliability.

This role follows a 12‑hour rotational shift schedule, covering days, nights, and weekends. You will apply analytical knowledge and sound judgment to help troubleshoot plant issues, support product quality evaluations, maintain laboratory and at‑line equipment, and deliver consistent routine testing.

Success requires close collaboration and strong communication with Operations and the Poly Analytical day staff. Effective teamwork is essential as you engage with multiple stakeholders across the site.

We are looking for a proactive, self‑driven individual who brings a positive attitude, takes initiative, and contributes to a respectful, improvement‑focused work environment. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong problem‑solving skills, communicates effectively, and is committed to continuous learning. A strong safety mindset and high attention to detail are critical to ensure the safe operation of laboratory equipment, at‑line analyzers, and the proper handling of samples and chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and specialized physical and chemical testing of polyethylene products (regular process samples and blender samples) to support production quality control and ensure products meet specification (density, melt index, gel analysis, ash, moisture).
• Conduct raw material testing (e.g. comonomers, additives, materials for catalyst make up) and master batch verification using different analytical techniques and procedures (e.g., FTIR, GC, gel and ash determination).
• Use appropriate quality assurance/quality control checks to ensure acceptable instrument performance and data quality. 
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot key analytical equipment, including at-line analyzers, rheometers, FTIR units, gel counters, and black speck instruments.
• Perform start-up and shutdown procedures for laboratory instruments and processing equipment.
• Support process-monitoring activities for at-line analyzers, pellet hoppers, and related systems.
• Maintains key equipment to ensure quality data is reliable and on-line time of equipment is at or above expectations.
• Support product classification and quality release, including specification entry, non-conformance identification, and off-grade reporting.
• Perform preventative maintenance, calibration, and verification of lab and at-line equipment according to defined schedules.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent, plus a minimum completion of a 2‑year college diploma in Chemical Technology or a related discipline.
• Ability to safely work in a plant environment, meet physical demands, and properly use required PPE and safety equipment. Must be familiar with, or willing to be trained on, safe equipment operation.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory environment with instruments such as melt indexers, densitometers, FTIR, GC, titrators, or similar analytical equipment.
• Experience with LIMS and common digital tools (e.g., Excel, data entry systems).
• Familiarity with data quality assurance practices, including QA/QC checks, calibration, and instrument verification.

Your Skills

• Communication – Clearly conveys analytical results, product status, and equipment issues to operations, analytical and quality teams to keep production running smoothly.
• Collaboration – Works closely with operations and analytical team to solve plant issues and ensure consistent product quality.
• Quality Control (QC) – Applies QA/QC checks, calibrations, and statistical tools to ensure accurate, reliable analytical data for production decisions.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work – Manages multiple routine analyses on a rotating shift, ensuring timely testing, documentation, and equipment maintenance.
• Laboratory Analytical Techniques – Performs physical testing (including GC, FTIR, and polyethylene property measurements) to support production and troubleshoot plant issues.
• Laboratory Safety – Follows and reinforces safety procedures, PPE requirements, and environmental standards to maintain a safe and compliant laboratory environment.

Additional Notes

• This position does not offer relocation assistance.
• For positions based in Ontario, Dow is required by law to include the pay scale that is reasonably expected to represent the pay range for the position. This pay range is specific to the territory of Ontario and accounts for both new and experienced employees with consideration to factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, and sustained job performance (or similar jobs). A reasonable pay range for this position is:  $68,760 - $115,080.

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.  

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).  
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.  
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.

At Dow, diversity and inclusion are inherent in our work environment. We are committed to building a vibrant, diverse and talented employee base – and helping each employee grow and develop as part of Dow's inclusive global community. Dow has an accommodation process in place to support employees with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call us at 1-833-My Dow HR (833-693-6947) and select option 8.