Chem Lab Engineering Specialist

Ford • Sterling Heights, MI

3d • $84,480 - $162,120 • Onsite

About The Position

The Chem Lab Engineering Specialist is a dual-function role leading the plant’s contamination control strategy and managing daily Chemical Laboratory operations. The position serves as the plant’s subject matter expert for the Contamination Quality Operating System (QOS), ensuring production areas meet Engineering Specifications through analytical testing and data-driven insights. The specialist drives continuous improvement in contamination controls, manages laboratory resources and budgets, and upholds safety, quality, and throughput standards.

The role also oversees laboratory equipment and maintenance, supports audits and quality investigations, and supervises the third-party fluid management team located at the plant. The laboratory is transitioning from traditional practices to a lean manufacturing model, and the specialist will lead that transformation while maintaining workplace organization and standardized safety and quality processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience operating laboratory analytical equipment, specifically Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) and optical microscopes.
• Experience in a manufacturing or industrial laboratory environment focused on quality systems.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience supervising hourly personnel, ideally in a unionized (UAW) environment.
• Proficiency with FTIR analysis and PAMAS particle counting systems.
• Familiarity with ISO standards and conducting internal and external quality audits.
• Ability to interpret complex data trends and perform root-cause analysis for technical failures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presenting technical findings to non-technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Champion the plant’s Contamination Quality Operating System and identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities.
• Perform and oversee complex analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), Automatic Optical Microscopes (AOM), and microscope particle counters.
• Identify sources of non-metallic contamination and support root-cause investigations.
• Apply Gage R&R and calibration knowledge to laboratory equipment; track coolant systems, washer health systems, and point-of-use contamination checks, and drive QOS improvements.
• Maintain records and monitor data trend charts, identify variations, and communicate results and reaction plans to the plant team when failures occur.
• Schedule and conduct internal contamination and Engineering Specification audits, and support external third-party environmental and quality audits.
• Support internal quality meetings, warranty investigations, and customer issue resolutions involving contamination analysis.
• Present technical data and analytical findings to plant leadership.
• Oversee the third-party fluid management team residing in the plant.
• Hold team members accountable for standardized safety and quality processes.
• Ensure laboratory equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operational; manage preventive maintenance, repairs, and spare-parts inventory.
• Maintain 5S standards and workplace organization, and lead the laboratory’s transition to a lean manufacturing model area standard.
• Manage laboratory budgets.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level