Senior Automotive Laboratory Technician

Ingevity; North Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ingevity is seeking a Senior Automotive Test Engineering Technician to join our Automotive Applications Laboratory in South Carolina. You will develop, test, and improve advanced carbon-based products that help reduce vehicle emissions and support a more sustainable future.

The role involves solving technical problems, working with sophisticated testing equipment, analyzing data, and partnering with engineers and scientists in a collaborative R&D environment.

Qualifications

• Associate degree with 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience or a Bachelor's degree in a technical/scientific discipline with laboratory experience.
• Experience supporting testing, product development, applications, engineering, or R&D laboratories.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a passion for diagnosing and solving technical problems.
• Experience working with automated test equipment, instrumentation, sensors, or data acquisition systems.
• Programming or scripting experience used for automation, testing, instrumentation, or data analysis (LabVIEW, Python, VBA, MATLAB, or similar).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, including data analysis and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve advanced automotive testing equipment.
• Execute laboratory and pilot-scale testing that supports customer programs and new product development.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate test results that influence decisions.
• Develop and optimize automated testing methods, instrumentation, and data collection systems.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, quality, and laboratory performance.
• Assist in the design, installation, and commissioning of specialized laboratory equipment.
• Partner with scientists, engineers, and technical teams to solve challenging problems and advance new technologies.
• Support pilot trials on-site and at customer/manufacturing locations as needed.
• Promote a strong safety culture through active participation in inspections, committees, and safety initiatives.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Advanced Excel

Data analysis

Education

Associate's degree + 5+ years

Bachelors degree in technical/science

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

VBA

MATLAB

Job description

Job Family Group: Laboratory

Are you ready to do something remarkable? Ready to collaborate with an incredible team to solve problems that improve people's lives? Meet Ingevity.

At Ingevity, we develop innovations that purify, protect and enhance the world around us. Our products enable oil to flow better, crops to grow fuller, roads to last longer and ensure that the air we all breathe is cleaner.

Our people come from all different backgrounds and help reimagine new possibilities daily. We understand there is no challenge too big and no contribution too small. We seek out new ideas for tackling complex problems and celebrate achieving the impossible. We value each person's unique talents and synergize them to create meaningful impact and sustainable solutions for our customers and our world.

Bold. Energetic. Ingenious. Genuine. If these qualities describe you, we'd love for you to join Ingevity!

At Ingevity, the work you do has a direct impact on technologies used by leading automotive manufacturers around the world. As an Senior Automotive Test Engineering Technician, you'll play a key role in developing, testing, and improving advanced carbon-based products that help reduce vehicle emissions and support a more sustainable future.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys solving technical problems, working with sophisticated testing equipment, analyzing data, and partnering closely with engineers and scientists in a collaborative R&D environment.

If you're energized by hands‑on troubleshooting, automation, continuous improvement, and seeing your work influence real‑world products, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

As a trusted technical expert within our Automotive Applications Laboratory, you will:

• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve advanced automotive testing equipment.
• Execute laboratory and pilot‑scale testing that supports both customer programs and new product development.
• Analyze, interpret, and communicate test results that influence technical and business decisions.
• Develop and optimize automated testing methods, instrumentation, and data collection systems.
• Lead and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, quality, and laboratory performance.
• Assist in the design, installation, and commissioning of specialized laboratory equipment.
• Partner with scientists, engineers, and technical teams to solve challenging problems and advance new technologies.
• Support pilot trials both on‑site and at customer or manufacturing locations when needed.
• Promote a strong safety culture through active participation in inspections, committees, and safety initiatives.

What Makes This Role Exciting

• Work on technology used by major automotive manufacturers
• Become the go‑to technical expert for sophisticated testing systems
• Gain experience with automation, instrumentation, and data analysis
• Lead improvement projects that have visible impact
• Collaborate directly with scientists, engineers, and product development teams
• Play a meaningful role in developing more sustainable automotive solutions

What We're Looking For

We're interested in curious, hands‑on problem solvers who enjoy working in a technical laboratory environment.

You may be a great fit if you have:

• An associate's degree with 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or a Bachelor's degree in a technical or scientific discipline with laboratory experience.
• Experience supporting testing, product development, applications, engineering, or R&D laboratories.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a passion for diagnosing and solving technical problems.
• Experience working with automated test equipment, instrumentation, sensors, or data acquisition systems.
• Programming or scripting experience used for automation, testing, instrumentation, or data analysis (LabVIEW, Python, VBA, MATLAB, or similar).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, including data analysis and reporting.

Bonus Points For

• Automotive testing experience
• Emissions or evaporative testing experience
• LabVIEW experience
• ISO 9001 and/or IATF 16949 experience
• Continuous improvement or Lean experience
• Equipment installation, commissioning, or project support experience

Ingevity is a company made up of extraordinary people of every race, religion and background, all worthy of the same dignity. Our differences are one of our great strengths. Join us in building a culture of increasing diversity and respect - a culture where everyone belongs.

Ingevity is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.