Associate Research Engineer - Thermal Testing
The purpose of the Associate Research Engineer position is to lead the thermal testing areas for the Building Science & Product Performance Laboratories (BSPP), as well as support the other fire, acoustical, and physical labs. BSPP is a branch of the Innovation Operations team in Corporate Research and Development. In this position, the person will be responsible for providing measurements and expertise in heat transfer, thermal conductivity and other product testing to R&D and business unit programs as well as providing key support to QC labs in many JM manufacturing plants. The position will take an active role in maintaining the third-party accreditation of the BSPP labs.
Applicants can expect to make between $70,000 to $95,000 upon hire. Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors. In addition, this position is eligible for a target incentive bonus under our variable incentive plan.
Your Day-to-Day:
- Plan, schedule, and perform requested laboratory testing to meet laboratory schedule and customer needs
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain thermal laboratory equipment (including heat flow meters, guarded hot plate, calibrated hot box, guarded end-pipe, and others)
- Issue test reports according to laboratory standard procedures
- Serve as a subject matter expert to JM business units and project teams on thermal properties and testing
- Provide JM manufacturing plants with expertise and training in thermal measurement methods and equipment operation. Conduct audits of plant QC thermal labs when required
- Recommend improvements to existing laboratory procedures and equipment, and for expanded capabilities in BSPP labs, consistent with current and future business needs.
- Take an active role in maintaining laboratory quality management systems and accreditation-related requirements
- Cross-train into other BSPP labs as needed
- Actively participate in standards development through organizations such as ASTM and communicate changes or developments to R&D and business unit stakeholders
- May be required to perform other related duties as assigned
What You Bring to the Team:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related technical field, with a minimum of 1 years related experience
- Solid understanding of thermal, acoustic, fire, and/or physical property characterization of materials and capacity to interpret test data
- Strong ability to apply technical knowledge to modify standard principles to develop alternative courses of action
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with customers, team members, and management
- Basic project management skills
- Strong presentation skills
- Basic knowledge and understanding of statistics and specifically designed experiments
- Solid analytical and quality improvement ability
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to build or prepare samples for testing
- Knowledge of safe laboratory procedures and lab quality assurance programs
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Minimal travel required (6 -- 15 days per year)
- Work environment is typical of a research and development laboratory. When at an agency location or plant, may be exposed to environmental conditions of cold, heat, high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, heights, dust/mist/gas/fumes, extensive walking or climbing, etc.
- May be required to lift, carry, push or pull up to and including 25 pounds
Bonus if you have these skills!
- Expertise/Experience in the areas of heat transfer measurements or thermal conductivity characterization
- Experience in the building products industry
- Proficiency with LabVIEW applications and data acquisition equipment
- Knowledge of building science principles
Incumbent must be physically able to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.