R&D Laboratory Lead
About The Position
The R&D Laboratory Lead heads WD-40 Company’s Global Research & Development Laboratory at its Technical Center in Pine Brook, New Jersey. This hands-on leadership role combines laboratory operations and safety oversight with active scientific work, including testing, experiments, and troubleshooting technical challenges. The lead develops and supports a small team of scientists, evaluates testing requests, and applies scientific expertise to create new solutions and test methodologies. The role is onsite five days per week, Monday through Friday. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
- At least 3 years of hands-on experience in an analytical, research, or engineering laboratory, including experience leading or supervising others.
- Demonstrated ability to independently plan, execute, analyze, and document laboratory testing and experiments using the scientific method.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead a small team and work effectively across cross-functional and global teams.
- Authorization to work for any employer in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree.
Responsibilities
- Lead Global R&D laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with applicable safety regulations, appropriate equipment care, and efficient management of simultaneous experiments.
- Train R&D Lab Scientists in established procedures, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols.
- Prioritize team workload and work alongside the team on hands-on testing and experimental activities.
- Evaluate testing requests and provide advice and guidance on testing parameters.
- Plan, communicate, and execute research projects, coordinating internal and external parties to ensure timely completion within budget constraints.
- Perform laboratory testing and experiments while managing Global R&D product testing needs and ensuring compliance with testing protocols.
- Collate and analyze data, document test methods and outcomes, and develop testing and research protocols in accordance with established R&D guidelines.
- Identify, design, and implement new test methodologies using scientific principles, and contribute ideas to improve R&D methods and processes.
- Build and maintain relationships with external laboratories and vendors, communicate clearly, and monitor progress against company goals and timelines.
- Take necessary steps to establish and protect intellectual property, including controlling information access, maintaining confidentiality, and properly keeping laboratory notebooks.
- Monitor equipment, perform preventive maintenance, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment to maintain performance and minimize downtime.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
