Engineering Specialist - Quality
About The Position
The VEPC Chem & Lab Engineering Specialist/Lab Supervisor is a critical dual-function role responsible for leading the plant’s contamination control strategy and managing the daily operations of the Chemical Laboratory. This individual acts as the primary champion for the Contamination Quality Operating System (QOS), ensuring all production areas meet rigorous Engineering Specifications (ES) through advanced analytical testing and data-driven insights. The successful candidate will blend technical expertise in materials analysis (SEM, FTIR, AOM) with strong leadership skills to supervise a team of UAW hourly employees. You will be responsible for driving continuous improvement in contamination controls, managing laboratory budgets, and ensuring the highest standards of safety, quality, and throughput.
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 working within a manufacturing or industrial laboratory environment with a focus on quality systems
- Strong ability to interpret complex data trends and perform root-cause analysis for technical failures.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for presenting technical findings to non-technical leadership.
Responsibilities
- Champion the Contamination Quality Operating System within the plant, proactively identifying and driving continuous improvement opportunities.
- Perform and oversee complex analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM), Automatic Optical Microscopes (AOM), and Microscope Particle Counters.
- Utilize FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) to identify sources of non-metallic contamination and support root-cause investigations.
- Track Hot Oil system analysis (PAMAS particle count and percent moisture), report on parts washer status, and operate hardness testers to validate material integrity.
- Maintain precise records and monitor data trend charts to identify variations, communicate results and reaction plans to the plant team when failures occur.
- Schedule and conduct internal contamination and Engineering Specification (ES) audits; support external third-party environmental and quality audits.
- Support Internal Quality meetings, warranty investigations, and customer issue resolutions pertaining to contamination analysis.
- Present technical data and analytical findings in a clear, concise manner to plant leadership.
- Supervise and manage UAW hourly employees, including work assignments, payroll, scheduling, and training plans.
- Hold team members accountable for following standardized processes regarding Safety, Quality, and Throughput.
- Ensure all lab equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operational. Manage preventative maintenance, repairs, and spare parts inventory.
- Manage Labor and Overhead (L&O) within budgeted targets and maintain strict 5S standards and workplace organization.
Benefits
- Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- 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
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
