Company Overview: Uncaged Innovations is a biomaterials start-up leveraging biotechnology and nature to recreate bovine and exotic leather. Demand for animal alternatives is rapidly growing across industries—from fashion to automotive—in search of more sustainable and ethical solutions.

Position Overview: We are seeking a reliable, detail-oriented Finishing Technician to join our growing team. This person will be responsible for spray-coating and color matching materials to meet customer requests and quality requirements. The ideal candidate is hands-on, takes pride in producing consistent, high-quality work, and thrives in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment.

If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment with lots of opportunity, Uncaged is a fit for you!

Growth Opportunities: This position starts part-time, with potential to grow into a full-time role as our production needs expand. As Uncaged grows, there are also opportunities to travel—domestically and internationally—to visit manufacturing facilities. This is a chance to build a career at the ground floor of a new material category, with a growing company that's still writing its next chapter.

Responsibilities:

• Use traditional leather spray-coating equipment to apply finishing topcoat to plant-based leather substrate in spray booth setup.
• Use physical color references or Pantone colors provided by clients and sales team to produce color-matched topcoat formulas.
• Utilize spectrophotometer and CIELAB (L*a*b*) color software to measure color references, develop pigment formulations, and verify results.
• Collaborate with R&D team to reformulate topcoat to meet specific aesthetic and performance specifications.
• Provide finished samples to sales team as requested and work with customer feedback to adjust color finishes when needed.
• Apply finishes to material consistently and accurately to meet customer quality requirements.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Adhere to all company safety policies and procedures.
• Assist with process improvements to increase efficiency and consistency.
• Prepare panels of material for production, including measuring, cutting and stacking

Required Skills/Abilities and Physical Requirements:

• Must be very responsible and reliable.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Good organizational and multitasking skills.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity for handling production equipment.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience with spray finishing or color matching preferred.
• Knowledge of L*a*b* color systems preferred.
• Manufacturing experience preferred but not required.
• Previous lab experience is a bonus but not necessary.

Terms of Employment: Onsite position in Johnstown, NY; part-time with flexible hours and the ability to grow to full-time

Compensation: $25 / hour

Uncaged Innovations will consider all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.