Root Cause Analysis Engineer

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 188,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & Vision

Health Savings Accounts

Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible

Disability Benefits

Life Insurance

Voluntary Benefits

Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits

Job summary

3M seeks a Root Cause Analysis Engineer to join a global team and tackle product defects and production challenges through rigorous analytical methods, collaborative problem solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You will operate instruments such as GC, MS, FTIR, DSC, DMA, TGA, and rheometer; lead studies; apply Lean Six Sigma; and present findings to the 3M technical community. Location is on-site in Maplewood, MN with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Five years laboratory experience in a private, public, government or military environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate to identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities; deploy and develop new analytical labs; deliver and coordinate training in manufacturing forensics methodology.
• Lead studies, development, and validation of physical and analytical test methods to solve product defects or production challenges.
• Operate analytical instruments such as GC, MS, FTIR, DSC, DMA, TGA, and rheometer.
• Present project work to others in the 3M technical community.
• Conduct raw material, in-process, and final product testing in an analytical lab.
• Identify and implement improvements to lab operations and testing workflow using Lean Six Sigma.

Skills

Root Cause Analysis

Manufacturing forensics

Gas Chromatography

Mass Spectrometry

FTIR

DSC

DMA

TGA

Rheometer Analysis

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science

Tools

Gas Chromatography (GC)

Mass Spectrometry (MS)

FTIR

DSC

DMA

TGA

Rheometer

Statistical data tools

Job description

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Root Cause Analysis Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Collaborating to identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities; deploy and develop new and existing analytical labs; deliver and coordinate training in manufacturing forensics methodology
• Leading studies, development, and validation of both physical and analytical test methods to solve product defects or production challenges.
• Operating a variety of analytical instruments including but not limited to Gas Chromatography (GC), Mass Spectrometry (MS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Rheometer Analysis
• Presenting project work to others in the 3M technical community
• Conducting raw material, in process, and final product testing in an analytical lab
• Identifying and implementing improvements to daily lab operations, standard work, testing workflow/cycle time, test methods and lab capability using Lean Six Sigma methodologies

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline (completed and verified prior to start) from an accredited institution
• Five (5) years laboratory experience in a private, public, government or military environment

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or related discipline from an accredited institution
• Experience working in a manufacturing setting and pace
• Demonstrated experience to analyze problems, diagnose root cause, and apply corrective actions
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of statistical and quality data analysis tools such as exploratory data analysis, Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R), Analysis of Variance, Failure Modes and Effects
• Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Capability, acceptance sampling, correlation and regression, and experimental design

Work location:

• Work location: This role follows an on-site working model in Maplewood, MN; Menomonie, WI; or Hutchinson, MN.

Travel:

May include up to 25% domestic/international

Relocation:

May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life - both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $188,251 - $230,084, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

• Medical
• Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Accounts
• Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Disability Benefits
• Life Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/08/2026 To 10/08/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.