Lab Technical Excellence Specialist

Shell•Houston, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Shell is seeking a Laboratory Technical Excellence Specialist (also known internally as Operational Technical Excellence Specialist) to join its team in Houston, TX. This role is a newly established position within the Shell Technology Center Houston (STCH) Mobility and Lubricants Operations Team. It supports technical innovation, ASTM method governance, SOP standardization, and applied research across the laboratory organization. The specialist will be a key authority responsible for improving internal methodologies, enhancing documentation quality, and developing new processes and procedures. This team supports a broad portfolio of fuels and lubricants technologies, including global brands like Pennzoil, Rotella, Helix, and V-Power, as well as emerging solutions in electrification, decarbonization, and next-generation mobility. Sustaining operational excellence and driving innovation within laboratory operations are essential for maintaining a competitive advantage and ensuring high-quality, standardized, and compliant delivery. The Operations Technical Excellence Specialist will act as a crucial link between Operations, Quality, and Technology by leading ASTM method stewardship, strengthening SOP/WI governance, and developing effective continuous improvement pathways. This role ensures that laboratory practices remain current, efficient, and aligned with industry standards while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer.
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in engineering, Chemistry, or related technical discipline required.
At least 8 or more years of relevant experience in laboratory or technical roles.
Experience with ASTM, documentation governance, and/or process improvement required.
Strong understanding of laboratory operations, ASTM methods, and quality systems.
Demonstrated experience in SOP/WI development and technical documentation governance.
Experience with process improvement methodologies and applied research practices.
Familiarity with LIMS/Sample Manager, data analysis tools, and laboratory systems.
Proven ability to identify and develop process improvements and technical solutions.
Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate research into practical outcomes.

Responsibilities

Lead development, review, and continuous improvement of SOPs and Work Instructions, ensuring alignment with ASTM standards, internal policies, and quality system requirements.
Standardize documentation practices across teams to improve consistency and clarity.
Support audit readiness through strong documentation control and governance.
Serve as subject matter expert on ASTM methods relevant to laboratory operations.
Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and improvement opportunities in current methods.
Support implementation and integration of new or updated ASTM standards.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure best practices are applied.
Conduct targeted research to improve existing methods and develop new technical approaches.
Evaluate emerging technologies and methodologies for operational applicability.
Translate research into practical improvements for laboratory workflows.
Identify opportunities for novel processes, methods, or procedural enhancements.
Collaborate with technical and legal teams to advance intellectual property initiatives.
Identify inefficiencies, risks, and variability in technical processes.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, quality, and efficiency.
Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation for technical issues.
Partner with SMEs on digitalization, automation, and workflow improvement efforts.
Provide technical guidance to teams on methods, standards, and documentation practices.
Strengthen knowledge management through structured documentation and best practices.
Develop and apply training initiatives related to technical standards and procedural improvements.