Laboratory Leader

Jaguar Land Rover; Wolverhampton; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted car purchase

Index-linked pension

Bonus scheme

Learning & development funding

Life Assurance

Flexible working

Job summary

Jaguar Land Rover’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EPMC) in Wolverhampton seeks a Laboratory Leader to steer the EV lab's day-to-day operations, ensuring materials quality and compliance with ISO17025 and IATF 16949.

You will work with the Laboratory Metallurgist and broader manufacturing teams to eliminate risk to customers by addressing material or joining failures and to help develop future procedures and projects.

Qualifications

• Strong materials science knowledge.
• Working knowledge of typical laboratory equipment.
• Understanding of engine/EDU/battery assembly and machining processes.
• Problem solving techniques / root cause analysis including 8D or similar.
• Computer literate – comfortable using Office 365 applications on a daily basis.
• Supervisory or management experience of a technical team.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day operation of EPMC EV Laboratory in line with ISO17025 and IATF 16949.
• Eliminate risk to customers through materials or joining failures in produced components.
• Develop and improve material test procedures for future projects.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and KPI support to the operational team.

Skills

Materials science

Laboratory equipment

Problem solving

Root cause analysis

Office 365

Supervisory experience

Education

Materials science degree

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Job description

REQ ID: 132716
JOB TITLE: Laboratory Leader
SALARY: 49,943
POSTING START DATE: 08/09/2026

POSTING END DATE: 22/09/2026
LOCATION: Wolverhampton EPMC

In the Manufacturing team at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EPMC), you’ll help power iconic electric cars. You will be working alongside incredible technicians and leaders to drive our commitment to shape a future we truly believe in, together. Use your expertise, cutting-edge technology, and problem-solving skills to ensure efficient, sustainable and high-quality production. Fuel the exceptional.

The Laboratory Leader role is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operation of EPMC EV Laboratory, alongside the Laboratory Metallurgist, in order to control the materials quality of assembly and supplied products. It also requires a compliant approach to achieve the aims of ISO17025 and IATF 16949, as well as internal standards and policies.

The role supports the EPMC plant operations, alongside the Laboratory team, to ensure continuity of quality production. The main driver is to eliminate risk to customers through materials or joining failures, of internally produced components. The role will support the improvement and development of material test procedures, in order to support future projects.

WHAT TO EXPECT

In this role, no two tasks are the same. With lots of projects and relationships to build with people across the business and beyond, it’s a challenge that will help your career grow within an iconic organisation. Here’s what to expect:

• To work closely with Operational, Quality, Engineering and Manufacturing functions to understand customer and product requirements, and thus provide a satisfactory level of measurement and process control support, using Quality Tools to validate new and improved processes, seeking continuous improvement and waste elimination.
• To liaise with production to ensure product manufactured internally meets engineering specification and resolve quality problems that arise during production using appropriate problem solving methodology.
• To provide support on physical measurement as required, using metallurgy skills and experience to validate product and processes,
• Provide day to day supervision, management and support to the operational team in the completion of KPI’s and targets directly contributing to external and internal quality performance of Jaguar Land Rover products.
• To assist the Senior Lab Leader with Engineering and Operational development/improvement activities.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Along with your ambition to achieve the exceptional, there are several skills that you’ll need to have to help you succeed here, including:

• Strong materials science knowledge
• Working knowledge of all typical Laboratory equipment
• Understanding of engine/EDU/battery assembly and machining processes
• Problem solving techniques / root cause analysis including 8D or similar
• Computer literate - comfortable using Office 365 applications on a daily basis
• Supervisory or management experience of a technical team

BENEFITS

This role is rewarding in more ways than one. On top of our core offering, you’ll do extraordinary work with amazing people. In addition, you can expect a wide range of benefits:

• Discounted car purchase (open to family members, too)
• A 52 week maternity leave policy and a 4 week paternity leave policy. Other parental leave policies are available
• A competitive pension
• A JLR company performance-related bonus
• An employee learning scheme providing funding for; education, training and other activities which support the development of personal skills and promote lifelong learning
• Access to open, employee-led support and social networks
• Comprehensive Life Assurance and Income Protection policies
• Flexible working*

*Flexible working is offered for specific roles dependant on responsibilities. Please speak to the hiring team for details.

We work hard to nurture a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We understand candidates may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Please discuss these with your recruiter so we can accommodate your needs.

Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome. If you’re unsure that you meet the full criteria of a role – but you're interested in where it could take you – we still encourage you to apply. We believe in people's ability to grow and develop within their role – it’s what makes living the exceptional with soul possible.

JLR is committed to equal opportunity for all.