The purpose of the Associate Research Engineer position is to lead the fire testing operations for the Building Science & Product Performance Laboratories (BSPP), as well as support the other thermal, acoustical, and physical labs. BSPP is a branch of the Innovation Operations team in Corporate Research and Development. In this position, the person will be responsible for performing lab measurements and providing expertise in combustibility, reaction-to-fire, fire resistance, smoke density and other related testing to R&D and business unit programs as well as providing fire or combustion-related technical support to JM manufacturing plants. This position plays an important role in supporting the development of new or improved products, product applications, and processes. The position fills an active role in maintaining the third-party accreditation of the BSPP labs.
Relocation assistance is being offered to those that qualify under the Johns Manville Relocation Policy.
Your Day-to-Day:
- Plan, schedule, and perform requested laboratory testing to meet laboratory schedule and customer needs.
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain fire laboratory equipment (including E84 tunnel furnace, tube furnace, smoke density chamber, flame penetration furnaces, cone calorimeter, and others).
- Issue test reports according to laboratory standard procedures.
- Serve as a subject matter expert to R&D and JM business units and project teams on fire and combustion properties and testing.
- Recommend improvements to existing laboratory procedures and equipment, and for expanded capabilities in BSPP labs, consistent with current and future business needs and technological advancements.
- Take an active role in maintaining laboratory quality management systems and accreditation-related requirements.
- Cross-train into other BSPP labs as needed.
- Actively participate in standards development through organizations such as ASTM and communicate changes or developments to R&D and business unit stakeholders.
- May be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
What You Bring to the Team:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related technical field, with a minimum of 1-3 years related experience.
- Solid understanding of fire testing, fire resistance of materials, and/or physical property characterization of materials and capacity to interpret test data.
- Strong ability to apply technical knowledge to modify standard principles to develop alternative courses of action.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with customers, team members, and management.
- Basic project management skills.
- Solid presentation skills
- Basic knowledge and understanding of statistics and specifically designed experiments.
- Solid analytical and quality improvement ability.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to build or prepare samples for testing.
- Knowledge of safe laboratory procedures and lab quality assurance programs.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
- Minimal travel required (6 – 15 days per year)
- Work environment is typical of a research and development laboratory. When at an agency location or plant, may be exposed to environmental conditions of cold, heat, high noise levels, moving mechanical parts, heights, dust/mist/gas/fumes, extensive walking or climbing, etc.
- May be required to lift, carry, push or pull up to and including 25 pounds.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Expertise/Experience in the areas of fire testing or fire engineering.
- Experience in the building products industry.
- Proficiency with LabVIEW applications and data acquisition equipment.
- Knowledge of building science principles.
- Strong organizational skills.
