Associate Lab Research Engineer

Who We Are

Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and commercial roofing, along with glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Our products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy.

A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe. We are committed to delivering positive and powerful experiences, because we are successful only when our employees and customers thrive. We are passionate, we care about people, we perform at a superior level, and we protect others and our environments.

Pay Range

$76,300.00-$104,900.00 Annual

This is the base salary pay range that an applicant can expect to make upon hire. Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors. In addition, this position is eligible for an incentive bonus.

The purpose of the Associate Research Engineer position is to lead the physical properties testing operations for the Building Science & Product Performance Laboratories (BSPP), as well as support the other thermal, acoustical, and fire 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 mechanical properties testing, moisture properties, environmental exposure, corrosion and other related testing to R&D and business unit programs as well as providing technical support to JM manufacturing plants. This position plays an important role in supporting the development of new and improved products, product applications, test method development, and product quality control. The position fills an active role in maintaining the third-party accreditation of the BSPP labs.

Your Day-to-Day:

• Plan, schedule, and perform requested laboratory testing to meet laboratory schedule and customer needs.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain physical laboratory equipment (including Instron machines, environmental cabinets and ovens, pycnometer, tear testers, 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 physical properties measurement techniques.
• Apply knowledge of mechanics of materials, physics, and engineering principles to modify existing test methods or develop new methods to measure new or project-specific material properties.
• Recommend improvements to existing laboratory procedures and equipment, and for expanded capabilities in BSPP labs, consistent with current and future business needs and technology 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 mechanics of materials, engineering/physics, moisture behavior of materials, and capacity to interpret test data
• Strong ability to apply technical knowledge to modify standard procedures 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 mechanical properties testing (specifically Instron machines and software), moisture properties, environmental exposure, accelerated aging, and corrosion
• Experience in the building products industry
• Familiarity with tools and modifying test fixtures
• Proficiency with LabVIEW applications and data acquisition equipment
• Knowledge of building science principles
• Strong organizational skills

Please Keep in Mind

If you do not meet 100% of these requirements, we at JM still want to hear from you. So, if you are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply so we can learn how your skills and talents can contribute to our team.

Benefits

Johns Manville (JM) offers a wide range of benefits to employees. Some are subsidized by the company and others are fully employee-paid. Health benefits include a choice of comprehensive medical plans, a dental plan, vision plan, wellness program and critical illness insurance. JM sponsors a 401(k) plan which includes a sizeable company match. JM offers paid vacation and also provides paid sick and parental leave for eligible employees.

Additionally, Johns Manville provides basic life Insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and business travel accident coverage. Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are available as well. The company also offers a variety of tax saving accounts; health spending account, traditional flexible spending account, and a dependent care spending account. JM also offers a tuition reimbursement program for undergraduate and certain graduate programs.

Johns Manville supports employee growth with vast educational opportunities and a company-wide mentoring program. This program pairs employees and leaders to grow skills, build stronger internal networks and strengthen the company’s succession planning process. Johns Manville also offers soft and hard skills training facilitated by internal and external presenters. Our talent management team prioritizes the holistic growth of our workforce.

Diversity & Inclusion

Johns Manville believes diversity and inclusion in our workplace is critical for the long-term success of our company. We are committed to retaining, developing and attracting a diverse workforce that fosters an inclusive work environment in which all employees are treated with dignity and respect. This is the right thing to do for our employees, our company and our communities.

Incumbent must be physically able to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.