Failure Analysis Laboratory Manager (Laboratory Manager)

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Superior benefits

Employee-owned (ESOP)

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. seeks a Failure Analysis Laboratory Manager to lead a material science and electronics failure analysis team in Pullman, WA.

You will supervise investigations, mentor staff, and drive process improvements across SOPs and analytical methods, ensuring safety and reliability in products. You’ll collaborate with engineering and operations, apply lean principles in the lab, and support quality goals with data-driven insights and cost-effective testing

Qualifications

• Requires degree in Engineering or Science and 4+ years of leadership experience.
• Skilled in materials, electronics, or mechanical analysis.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing or World Class Manufacturing in a lab setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and prioritize investigations across a failure analysis lab.
• Mentor team members and provide technical guidance to stakeholders.
• Develop and improve failure analysis methods and SOPs.
• Coordinate with cross-functional leaders on capital investments and staffing.
• Ensure safety risks are identified and mitigated.

Skills

Leadership experience

Prioritization/organization

Communication

English writing/speaking

Lean/WCM knowledge

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Physical Science or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Design of Experiments

ISO 9001/ISO 17025

Internal auditing processes

Structured programming

MS Office (Word/Excel/Access)

Job description

The Quality Division is seeking a Failure Analysis Laboratory Manager to lead a material science and electronics failure analysis laboratory team, focused on component and material analysis and testing, as well as failure trend analysis. Reporting to the Senior Quality Manager of the Reliability Engineering group on our Pullman campus, this people leader will organize and operate laboratory processes for electronic component performance verification as well as all types of material identification and condition assessment in support of product quality and reliability trend analysis and product improvement objectives.

Candidates with leadership experience, familiarity with electronic equipment design and/or manufacturing test practice, a STEM degree, and who follow and promote our SEL Values are highly sought after for this position.

Note: US Citizenship or Green Card required

As a Failure Analysis Laboratory Manager, a typical day might include:

• Reviewing incoming work requests, managing request prioritization, and assigning team members to conduct investigations.
• Leading internal teams on investigations of moderate technical complexity while collaborating with external suppliers as necessary.
• Offering technical guidance to internal project stakeholders.
• Mentoring team members on processes or analysis techniques.
• Developing new or improving existing failure analysis methods, standard operating procedures (SOP), and work control processes.
• Collaborating with department leaders to address personnel concerns proactively and equitably.
• Collaborating with department leaders to identify and propose capital investments, staffing needs in alignment with SEL principles of operation.
• Collecting and reporting operational metrics and expenses for department leadership review.
• Ensuring that safety risks are properly identified, escalated, and resolved.

This job might be for you if:

• You have a degree in Engineering or Science, have four or more years of combined leadership and supervisory experience, and are skilled in materials, electronics, or mechanical analysis
• Ability to prioritize, organize and delegate work; intervene to remove obstacles as needed.
• You have demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, respectfully and openly to a diverse audience
• You are proficient with English language and demonstrate strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
• You have ability to prioritize, organize and delegate work and experience to intervene to remove obstacles as needed.
• You have a working knowledge to apply lean manufacturing or World Class Manufacturing (WCM) in a laboratory environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four-year degree in Physical Science, or Electrical Engineering.
• Working knowledge of Design of Experiments.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 quality standards
• Working knowledge of internal auditing processes.
• Strong technical training and presentation skills.
• Working knowledge of structured programming.
• Practical computer program skills: Word, Excel, Access.

Physical Requirements:

• Lift, push, pull and maneuver up to 20 pounds frequently, and up to 35 pounds occasionally.
• Vision correctable to 20/30 or better.
• Ability to differentiate color.

Location:

Pullman, WA – This position is located in Pullman, WA. Nestled in Eastern Washington, offering an exceptional quality of life. Embrace the charm of small-town living with spacious surroundings, no traffic hassles, and easy access to outdoor adventures in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Plus, benefit from excellent schools and universities in the area.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work. People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees. We’re 100% employee owned.

Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options. We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay. We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs. Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data - $97,700.00 - $144,400.00 annually. Our compensation ranges are based on the responsibilities of the role. Starting pay is determined individually and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and training. Candidates may be considered at different levels based on their background. As a result, pay may vary to align with the level of the role.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

SEL invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability and safety at a reduced cost. A 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and now serves customers worldwide. Our mission is simple: to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.