Innovation Engineering Lab Lead

Job Description

Job-ID: 17268 ; Location(s): McPherson KS The Innovation Engineering Lab Lead is a technical expert responsible for the operational excellence and technical direction of the engineering test laboratory. This individual provides hands-on guidance and mentorship to lab engineers and technicians, ensuring the accurate and timely execution of all testing and validation activities. This role combines deep technical expertise in testing methodologies with strong operational oversight to maintain a safe, efficient, and state-of-the-art laboratory environment. The lead guides through influence and technical authority, not direct people management. What You’ll Do: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to lab engineers and technicians. Foster professional development and create a collaborative, high-performance work environment through subject matter expertise. Guide the Innovation Engineering lab’s daily operations by implementing and utilizing a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for test scheduling, resource planning, and sample management. Provide technical direction to staff to meet performance metrics for quality and on-time delivery. Act as the primary technical liaison for the test lab, collaborating with Innovation Engineering, Quality, and Product Management teams to define test requirements and ensure the lab’s activities are aligned with project timelines. Lead the team in solving complex technical challenges related to testing and measurement. Ensure the appropriate test methodologies, analysis techniques, and data outputs are used and accurately documented. Oversee and guide the development of new test methods, including the planning and coordination of test method validations