Compliance & Engineering Lab Lead

Star Brands - A Division of the Middleby Corporation; Smithville (TN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Star Brands - A Division of the Middleby Corporation seeks a senior Compliance and Testing Lead to drive regulatory compliance, certifications, and lab validation for products across domestic and international markets.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Operations and suppliers to maintain comprehensive compliance programs, conduct risk assessments, and lead test development and data analysis to ensure safety, performance, and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field.
• 5+ years of experience in compliance, certification, testing, or related engineering roles.
• Strong knowledge of North American and international safety standards.
• Experience working with certification bodies and test labs.
• Hands-on experience with testing equipment and data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW or similar).

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance efforts for new and existing products to meet applicable regulatory and safety standards.
• Manage product certifications (UL, ETL, CSA, CE, UKCA, IEC, FCC, etc.).
• Act as the primary contact with certification agencies, test labs, and regulatory authorities.
• Coordinate compliance testing, including sample prep, documentation, and corrective actions.
• Maintain technical files, declarations of conformity, and certification records.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate product performance and reliability.
• Define test methods, sampling plans, and pass/fail criteria aligned with design stages.
• Mentor engineers and lab technicians on test planning, execution, and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement in testing processes and product reliability.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field

Tools

LabVIEW

Job description

Job purpose

Lead product compliance and testing activities to ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and performance requirements across domestic and international markets.

Description

Lead product compliance and testing activities to ensure all products meet regulatory, safety, and performance requirements across domestic and international markets.

This role oversees compliance throughout the product lifecycle, from design and development to production and release, while also leading lab testing efforts to validate product quality, reliability, and functionality.

The position works cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Suppliers, and external certification bodies to drive compliance strategies, manage certifications, and reduce regulatory risk.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance & Regulatory

• Lead compliance efforts for new and existing products to meet applicable regulatory and safety standards
• Manage product certifications (UL, ETL, CSA, CE, UKCA, IEC, FCC, etc.)
• Act as the primary contact with certification agencies, test labs, and regulatory authorities
• Interpret and apply standards related to electrical, mechanical, EMC, energy, and environmental requirements
• Support design reviews to ensure compliance is considered early in development
• Coordinate compliance testing, including sample prep, documentation, and corrective actions
• Maintain technical files, declarations of conformity, and certification records
• Monitor regulatory changes and assess impact on products
• Support manufacturing and suppliers to maintain compliance in production
• Assist with audits, inspections, and customer compliance inquiries
• Provide training and guidance on compliance requirements
• Lead safety risk assessments and provide feedback to engineering teams

Testing & Lab Leadership

• Develop and execute test plans to validate product performance and reliability
• Define test methods, sampling plans, and pass/fail criteria aligned with design stages
• Perform testing, analyze results, and identify issues early in development
• Develop component and subsystem testing to improve product quality and speed to market
• Build and maintain test setups, fixtures, and data acquisition systems
• Prepare units for testing based on engineering requirements
• Ensure safe and efficient operation of lab facilities
• Manage lab materials, equipment, and inventory

Engineering & Process Leadership

• Lead product and component testing throughout the NPD process
• Mentor engineers and lab technicians on test planning, execution, and best practices
• Apply Six Sigma and structured problem-solving methods (DOE, GR&R, DMAIC) where appropriate
• Drive continuous improvement in testing processes and product reliability
• Stay up to date on industry trends and emerging best practices

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field
• 5+ years of experience in compliance, certification, testing, or related engineering roles
• Strong knowledge of North American and international safety standards
• Experience working with certification bodies and test labs
• Ability to interpret technical standards and engineering documentation
• Hands‑on experience with testing equipment and data acquisition systems (e.g., LabVIEW or similar)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Hands‑on, self-driven approach

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with commercial foodservice equipment or similar industrial products
• Familiarity with CE marking and EU directives (LVD, EMC, RoHS)
• Experience supporting products through UL or equivalent certification
• Six Sigma certification or strong knowledge of quality systems
• Experience in manufacturing or product development environments

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with regular hands‑on work in lab and production environments
• Occasional interaction with production lines and test facilities

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift up to 30 lbs occasionally