Cleaning Laboratory Technologist

About Blackwave

Blackwave designs, manufactures and ships flight-qualified, commercial off-the-shelf composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) for launch vehicles and satellites. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company delivers COPVs from a standardized portfolio with flight heritage. The approach reduces lead time from months to days while ensuring that each tank is qualified and flight-ready. Blackwave's mission is to end COPV failure in spaceflight. The company employs more than 150 people across manufacturing facilities in Germany and Texas. More information at Blackwave.com and the procurement platform COPV.com .

Role Mission The mission of the Cleaning Laboratory Technologist is to collect control and rinse samples from the cleaning process and perform the laboratory analysis that validates the technical cleanliness of each tank — including Nonvolatile Residue (NVR), particle count, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurement. The role also supports the broader cleaning, drying, and packaging process, applying good laboratory practices to minimize contamination and good documentation practices (ALCOA+: Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate, Complete, Consistent, Enduring, and Available) to ensure every result is trustworthy and traceable.

Expected Outcomes

A successful Cleaning Laboratory Technologist will:

Understand the testing methods and requirements with minimal training

Be able to clean tanks independently

Learn and internalize Blackwave's cleaning process

Identify opportunities for improvement and help implement them

Perform the necessary laboratory analyses to validate technical cleanliness of tanks, following industry best practices

Key Responsibilities

Collect control and rinse samples from the cleaning process

Perform laboratory analysis including NVR, particle count, pH, conductivity, and dew point measurement

Apply good laboratory practices to minimize contamination throughout sample handling and testing

Document all results in accordance with ALCOA+ principles to ensure data is attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available

Support and, when needed, independently carry out the cleaning, drying, and packaging process for tanks

Follow standard operating procedures consistently while identifying opportunities to improve the cleaning and analysis process

Flag deviations, defects, or process risks and escalate them clearly

Work closely with the Cleaning Lead and broader team to maintain reliable, repeatable results

Contribute to a growing knowledge base of cleaning and analysis best practices at the Texas site

Competencies Technical Know-How Experience in a lab or manufacturing setting (required)

Skilled in NVR and other necessary laboratory analysis techniques, such as filtration and particle count (required)

Able to follow standard operating procedures consistently (required)

Can follow and identify points of improvement for a cleaning and analysis process (required)

Familiar with quality documentation, standards, and industry best practices (required)

Culture Add and Attitude

Hands-on

Flexible to work in a fast-moving environment

Willing to work with leadership to implement process improvements

Coachable and willing to learn

Self-starter — does not need constant supervision to perform the role

Team player with strong communication skills

Problem solver

Required Qualifications Education and Experience

Technical education, vocational training, or relevant practical experience in a lab or manufacturing setting

Prior experience in lab operations, technical cleanliness, clean room operations, or high-tech packaging is preferred

Background in medical, aerospace, defense, or electronics manufacturing, or in a production bio or chemical lab, is a plus

Language Skills

English is required (fluent)

German is a plus

Work Model

On-site work is mandatory, first shift

Our current facility is located in Lockhart, Texas (near Austin/San Antonio)

In August 2026, Blackwave will relocate to a new site in the Port San Antonio aerospace hub

Equal Opportunity Employer

Blackwave Texas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires eligibility under U.S. export regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise authorized to access export-controlled information.

At Blackwave Texas Inc., we hire for talent, curiosity, and the drive to build what’s next. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications. If you’d like to review our affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at career@blackwave.de

For this U.S.-based role, your application will be managed by our global People Team in Germany.