Laboratory Test Manager

ZF Group; Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Plan

Health Care Benefits

Paid Vacation

401k Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

ZF Group in Lafayette, IN is seeking a Laboratory Test Manager to lead the development and validation of high-technology electronic and hydraulic steering systems. You will coordinate all laboratory testing activities, manage resources, and drive structured processes in a hands-on lab setting.

The role requires a technical degree and strong project management experience, with travel up to 10% for domestic and international assignments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field; Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in automotive, component qualification, test management and planning.
• Experience with basic quality tools (Six Sigma, Shanin, etc.).
• Knowledge of statistical analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of assigned Test & Validation projects, including cost, quality and timing.
• Convene weekly committee to review lab requests and ensure complete information.
• Coordinate lab resources and schedule across teams; forecast programs and align with leadership.
• Coordinate 3rd party testing, review results, and document outcomes.
• Assign tests to technicians and track daily/weekly lab workflow for visibility.
• Interface with Engineering Program Managers and Division leadership on new work and priority changes.
• Provide status updates to Team Lead and adjust resources to meet workflow metrics.

Skills

Project Management

Quality tools

Statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

The Laboratory Test Manager is a part of the global Test & Validation team responsible for the development and validation of ZF’s high technology electronic and hydraulic steering systems. This position will coordinate all aspects of testing within the laboratory and is ideal for the candidate with a broad engineering background, a keen mind for developing and executing structured processes, solid communication skills and who enjoys hands-on work in a laboratory setting.

What you can look forward to as Laboratory Test Manager:

• Manage all aspects of assigned T&V projects – Cost, Quality and Timing, review and distribute final T&V reports and confirm final archival
• Convene committee for weekly review and approval of incoming lab requests. Scrutinize all aspects of the request to ensure all necessary information is conveyed from the requesting source.
• Work among other Test Managers to schedule and forecast T&V programs and roll this work into the general lab resource schedule.
• Coordinate all aspects of required 3rd party testing and receive/review/document testing results.
• Assign individual lab tests across technician staff as new work is received
• Track daily/weekly all-hands lab work and establish a visible representation of real-time workflow. Distribute to T&V leadership with focus on high visibility
• Interface with Engineering Program Managers and Division leadership regarding new incoming work and changing priorities
• Provide regular status tracking of work to Team Lead and adjust resources to maintain established workflow metricMaintain a workload-to-resource pipeline estimation to understand resource needs and provide input for laboratory asset adjustments

Your Profile as Laboratory Test Manager:

• Bachelor's Degree in technical field (Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years experience in automotive, component qualification, test management, and planning is preferred
• Must have experience in Project Management
• Knowledge in Basic Quality tools (Six Sigma, Shanin, etc.)
• Knowledge of statistical analysis tools
• May travel up to 10% of the time - domestic and international

Why you should choose ZF in Lafayette:

• A supportive collaborative team environment
• Annual Incentive Plan
• Paid Vacation
• 401k Plan
• Health Care Benefits
• Paid Holidays
• Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities