Laboratory Technician

Oman Shell; Michigan; On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

The Laboratory Technician at Shell in Michigan performs quality assurance testing on lubricants and supports routine lab maintenance. You will ensure samples meet specifications, document results, and assist with product development trials as needed.

You will work with SAP for daily transactions, maintain confidentiality of formulations, and uphold safety and ISO quality practices on a rotating shift schedule.

Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring visa sponsorship.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant post-secondary education preferred.
• Technical skills including viscosity measurement, TAN, pH testing, particle count analysis, reserve alkalinity testing, titration, FTIR, ICP are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prioritizing safety for oneself and coworkers.
• Performing quality control testing to ensure products meet specifications prior to release, including blend oil sample testing, package filling sample testing, bulk truck/rail shipping/receiving sample testing, and tank-to-tank transfer testing.
• Using SAP and other computerized systems to support daily operations.
• Recommending updates or changes to formulations to optimize blend properties.
• Performing Blend Formulation and Laboratory functions within SAP R/3.
• Conducting trial blends of new/modified products to develop updated formulations meeting LQS standards.
• Determining corrective actions for off-spec products, while optimizing costs and ensuring compliance.

Skills

Quality testing

SAP experience

Laboratory skills

Problem solving

Communication

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma

Post-secondary education preferred

Tools

SAP

FTIR

ICP

SCBA

Job description

Michigan, United States of America Job Family Group: Production and Manufacturing Downstream Worker Type: Regular Posting Start Date: September 2, 2026 Business Unit: Experience Level: Experienced Professionals

Job Description

What’s the Role? The Laboratory Technician is responsible for providing quality assurance by testing samples against established specifications and supplying customers with accurate, measured, and interpreted results. The role also involves performing routine maintenance and providing occasional repair and troubleshooting support for laboratory equipment. The Laboratory Technician ensures that products manufactured and distributed by Shell within the envelope conform to Shell internal standards, customer requirements, and legislative regulations through strict adherence to standard quality control testing procedures. As part of the Shell Lubricants Supply Chain team, the Laboratory Technician contributes to improving the efficiency and reliability of lubricants manufacturing, helping to enhance overall financial performance through the application of quality assurance methodologies. The role supports Shell’s lubricants business through laboratory-based testing of lubricating oils and, when required, provides product development, trialing, and investigative services to various Shell business sectors.

Responsibilities

• Prioritizing the safety of themselves and their coworkers above all else.
• Performing quality control testing to ensure products conform to specifications prior to release, including:
  • Blend oil sample testing
  • Package filling sample testing
  • Bulk truck/rail shipping sample testing
  • Bulk truck/rail receiving sample testing
  • Tank-to-tank transfer sample testing
• Using SAP and other computerized systems to support daily operational activities and transactions.
• Recommending updates or changes to existing formulations to optimize blend properties, where applicable.
• Performing Blend Formulation and Laboratory functions within the SAP R/3 system.
• Conducting trial blends of new and modified products to develop updated formulations that meet LQS standards, when requested.
• Ensuring all lubricant oil and grease formulations remain strictly confidential.
• Determining corrective actions for off-specification products, including up-treating, reblending, or other disposition methods, while optimizing costs and ensuring compliance with product requirements.
• Testing, assessing, and recommending corrective actions for non-conforming products in coordination with the Quality Manager.
• Conducting validation and calibration of laboratory equipment to ensure accurate testing results.
• Monitoring Statistical Process Control (SPC) data for selected lubricant products to maintain LQS reduced-testing requirements.
• Assisting the Quality Manager and Regional Area Product Manager with the development and implementation of site and regional quality initiatives and programs.
• Troubleshooting laboratory equipment issues and test method problems.
• Following all HSSE (Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental) guidelines in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without requiring visa sponsorship.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant post-secondary education preferred.
• Relevant experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, quality, or related industrial environment preferred.
• Technical skills preferred, including experience with viscosity measurement, Total Acid Number (TAN), pH testing, particle count analysis, reserve alkalinity testing, general titration techniques, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma Analysis).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong computer literacy and systems proficiency.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and continuously develop technical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising safety or quality standards.
• Strong sense of urgency and accountability.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-performance, team-based environment with a high degree of autonomous decision-making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn, execute, and eventually develop procedures while ensuring compliance with established standards.
• Knowledge of ISO standards, processes, procedures, and quality management principles.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SAP or similar enterprise systems is considered an asset.
• Willingness to work on a rotating shift schedule.
• Ability to serve as a member of an emergency response team.
• Using safe lifting techniques, must be able to lift and carry up to 20 kg from ground level to waist height.
• Ability to work safely while wearing a respirator or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
• Willingness to comply with Shell's drug-free and harassment-free workplace policies, as well as all safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, inclusive, and team-oriented environment.

Salary & Benefits

The rate for this position is $25.50. Individual pay will be based on various factors, such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, and internal equity.

• medical coverage
• dental coverage
• vision coverage
• life Insurance
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs
• company pension plan
• 401(k) plan
• Paid vacation up to 6 weeks
• Paid holidays up to 11
• Parental leave (16 weeks for birthing parents, 8 weeks for non-birthing parents)
• Short-term disability leave up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay
• Long-Term Disability insurance
• Compensation such as financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses
• Discretionary long-term incentives (some roles eligible)
• Interns: medical coverage
• Interns: dental coverage
• Interns: vision coverage
• Interns: life insurance
• Interns: Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Interns: Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs
• Interns: 401(k) plan
• Interns: paid leave up to 11 paid holidays

Additional information on Shell’s US benefit programs can be found at https://www.shell.us/careers/about-careers-at-shell/rewards-and-benefits.html.

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself. Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs. We’d like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we’re working towards that goal, click here. Shell in The United States Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years, leading the sector in energy, petrochemicals and refined products. Today, we provide millions of Americans with the energy needed to heat and cool their homes and power the economy. We operate in all 50 states, from our Deep-Water platforms in the Gulf of America to the Pennsylvania Chemicals complex and our miles of pipelines throughout the US. We reach our customers through our 13,000 branded retail stations, and we are number 1 in gasoline sales. We also own the #1 brand of motor oil in the U.S. – Pennzoil – made from natural gas. We are excited to play a key role in the move to net carbon emissions while providing the oil and gas needed by society for many decades to come. - DISCLAIMER: Please note: We occasionally am