Lead Materials Science Lab (MSL) engineer and Lab Owner

Lead Materials Science Lab (MSL) engineer and Lab Owner

Description -

The lead material science lab (MSL) engineer and lab owner provides hands-on technical leadership in materials reliability, failure analysis, and reliability risk mitigation for the Advanced Computing Systems (ACS) product development organization. Leading the Materials Science Lab (MSL) and working with key ACS stakeholders, the candidate will help define investigation and test strategies, interpret complex lab data, and drive clear engineering actions. The role influences program decisions through engineering capabilities, technical acumen, and cross-functional alignment, while supporting the development of MSL personnel and equipment to enable a strong lab supporting ACS programs.

Job Summary:

MSL Support

• Partner with MSL staff to plan and execute materials characterization, analytical testing, and failure analysis in support of product development, qualification, and field return investigations.

• Translate problem statements into investigation plans (test methods, sample selection, and timelines); select appropriate analytical techniques and define data needs.

• Interpret results with the MSL team; communicate conclusions to engineering and leadership in a concise, level-appropriate manner.

• Model strong safety, quality, and integrity practices for handling samples, data, and conclusions.

• Work directly with contracting company to manage SOW for MSL contractor support, maintain consistent communication as needs and activities change.

• Assess future needs of MSL regarding capital, facilities, and human resources; budget and plan accordingly for ensuring an effective organization supporting ACS.

ACS Support

• Provide materials and reliability expertise to ACS programs to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks early in design and throughout qualification.

• Partner with ODMs/suppliers and internal engineering teams to resolve materials and component reliability concerns. 

• Lead technical deep-dives on recurring or high-impact failure mechanisms; recommend design/process/material changes and verification plans tied to reliability targets and business impact.

• Support corrective-action execution by reviewing evidence, validating fixes through testing, and ensuring learnings are captured for reuse across related programs.

• Mentor and coach engineers through active case work: teach failure analysis workflows, experimental design, and effective technical storytelling (no direct people management required).

Required Experience & Capabilities:

• Experience partnering closely or leading an internal materials lab (sample prep, method selection, constraints, turnaround optimization, and data quality).

• Working knowledge of common characterization and failure analysis methods (e.g., optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR, DSC/TGA, XRF, cross-sectioning) and their limitations.

• Experience with supplier/ODM engagement, root cause analysis, and driving corrective actions across organizational boundaries.

• Ability to define test plans and interpret characterization results; comfortable engaging directly with lab techniques and data (hands-on technical leadership).

• Proven cross-functional leadership without direct authority: driving alignment, making evidence-based recommendations, and communicating clearly to engineering and leadership audiences.

• Strong communication skills: technical writing, documentation, presentation

 

Preferred Background:

• Demonstrated expertise in failure mechanisms across common engineering materials (metals, polymers, adhesives/coatings), including corrosion/contamination, wear, fatigue, cracking, and environmental aging.

• Experience in IPC acceptability standards, particularly IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-600

• Experience building standards, templates, or method validation packages that improve repeatability and auditability

• Experience in connectors/cables/interconnect reliability and related failure mechanisms

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).  Graduate level degree is a plus.

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in materials reliability, failure analysis, and/or product reliability engineering for electromechanical or electronics-adjacent products.

Cross-Org Skills:

• Customer Centricity
• Prio