Test Lab Engineer

NBMBAA; Cottage Grove (MN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The Test Lab Engineer at 3M will join a global team in Minnesota on-site locations, Red Wing and Cottage Grove. You will develop and validate test methods, support equipment life cycle, and drive lab improvements in alignment with ISO 17025.

You will collaborate with the test lab supervisor, engineering and testing personnel, and manage calibration, data acquisition, and software updates. Strong technical communication and problem-solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering (completed and verified).
• At least 1 year of test method development or instrumentation experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the test lab supervisor, testing team, and engineering personnel to understand testing requirements and ensure successful test execution.
• Develop, improve, maintain, and validate robust test methods and related processes.
• Support test equipment management including maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Assist with future equipment planning, fixture development, data acquisition programming, and software updates.
• Lead lab improvement projects and new method development to expand capabilities and alignment with standards.
• Document standard work, test methods, safety standards, measurement outputs, and reporting processes.
• Promote adherence to ISO 17025 and participate in regulatory audits.

Skills

Test method development

Instrumentation

Regulatory knowledge

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in science or engineering

Job description

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 Test Lab 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 with the Test Lab Supervisor, testing team, and engineering personnel to understand testing requirements and ensure successful test execution.
• Developing, improving, maintaining, and validating robust, repeatable test methods, including best practices, equipment limitations, measurement uncertainty, comparison testing, control charts, reference materials, and intermediate checks.
• Supporting test equipment management, including maintenance, repair, calibration, instrumentation, training, and equipment-related troubleshooting.
• Supporting future equipment planning, fixture development, data acquisition programming, software updates, and test capability expansion.
• Leading and driving test lab improvement projects and new method development to increase test capabilities, accreditation scope, and alignment with standard revisions.
• Documenting standard work, test methods, life critical safety standards, measurement outputs, calculation verification, and reporting processes.
• Promoting adherence to ISO 17025 principles and processes and participating in applicable regulatory audits.

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)

• One (1) year of experience with test method development or instrumentation a private, public, government, or military setting

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

• Experience defining technical requirements, developing project plans, managing priorities, and contributing to strategic planning.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards, particularly ISO 17025 and those relating to fall protection.

• Demonstrated hands-on mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting ability, and safe laboratory work practices.

• Highly organized with great attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter who can effectively work in a fast-paced environment, work through and manage change/ambiguity, and work with an appropriate sense of urgency.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Work location:

• This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week splitting time between the 3M facilities in Red Wing, MN and Cottage Grove, MN.

Travel: May include up to 5% domestic

Relocation Assistance: Is not authorized

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

Supporting Your Well-being

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 $98,964 - $120,957, 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/.Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/07/2026 To 11/06/2026 Or until filledAll 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.