Supervisor, Product Development Laboratory

The Supervisor, Product Development Laboratory – Test Engineering is responsible for leading the laboratory's Test Engineering function in support of laboratory operations, product development, sustaining engineering, advanced research, and product validation activities.

This role provides technical leadership in laboratory test strategy, test methods, instrumentation, measurement systems, engineering analysis, and testing best practices while driving the development and application of expertise within these disciplines.

The Supervisor, Product Development – Test Engineering leads a team of Test Engineers and lab personnel and partners with engineering stakeholders to support laboratory testing capabilities and product development objectives through effective testing, measurement, automation, and continuous improvement strategies

The role is responsible for advancing laboratory technical capabilities through automation, standardization, continuous improvement, and the implementation of effective testing and measurement practices.

This position promotes technical excellence, develops engineering talent, and supports the growth of laboratory capabilities that improve testing quality, engineering insight, data confidence, and overall laboratory value to the organization.

This position will serve Rheem North America, located in Fort Smith, AR. This is an on-site position.

-Supervise, develop, and evaluate Test Engineers and lab personnel, providing technical leadership, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.

-Promote a culture of technical excellence, innovation, safety, accountability, and continuous learning within the Test Engineering team.

-Provide technical leadership in laboratory test strategy, test methods, instrumentation, measurement systems, engineering analysis, and testing best practices.

-Lead the development, review, and continuous improvement of laboratory testing methodologies, procedures, and measurement techniques.

-Partner with engineering stakeholders to understand testing objectives, define technical requirements, and recommend appropriate testing and measurement approaches.

-Support product development, sustaining engineering, advanced research, and product validation activities through laboratory testing and engineering analysis.

-Lead and support root cause investigations, troubleshooting activities, and technical problem-solving efforts utilizing laboratory testing and data analysis in test stations, rooms, and fixtures.

-Review, analyze, and communicate test results to ensure engineering data is accurate, reliable, actionable, and aligned with project objectives.

-Lead the development and implementation of test automation solutions, smart test stands, data acquisition systems, and related technologies, including maintaining an automation roadmap and identifying opportunities to reduce manual activities through automation, digitalization, and improved engineering processes.

-Lead laboratory lab programs, instrumentation strategies, and measurement system practices, including calibration systems, measurement traceability, instrumentation standardization, sensors, data acquisition technologies, and measurement best practices to ensure confidence in engineering data.

-Ensure laboratory testing activities, procedures, and documentation comply with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and internal engineering practices.

-Lead the development, maintenance, standardization, and continuous improvement of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), test methods, and technical documentation.

-Ensure laboratory data, records, reports, and engineering documentation meet expectations for accuracy, consistency, completeness, and technical quality while promoting best practices that improve data quality, measurement confidence, repeatability, reproducibility, and technical integrity.

-Provide technical oversight for specialized laboratory disciplines including acoustics, vibration, modal analysis, strain measurement, transportation testing, and other advanced engineering test disciplines and emerging testing technologies.

-Assess laboratory capability gaps and identify opportunities to expand testing capabilities through new technologies, equipment, methodologies, and engineering practices.

-Evaluate and recommend laboratory equipment, instrumentation, software, and technology investments while leading technical improvement initiatives and supporting long-term capability development and technical roadmaps.

-Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Controls, Engineering Technology, or related engineering discipline. 

-5+ years of experience in product testing, validation, laboratory engineering, reliability, or a related technical field. 

-Experience leading or mentoring engineering or technical personnel. 

-Experience developing and executing engineering test programs, including instrumentation, sensors, measurement systems, and data acquisition. 

-Strong ability to analyze test data, troubleshoot technical issues, and translate findings into actionable recommendations. 

-Knowledge of engineering testing principles, measurement methods, and laboratory best practices. 

-Ability to develop and standardize test methods and measurement practices. 

-Strong project management, prioritization, and written/verbal communication skills.

-Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, develop, and grow technical talent.

-HVAC industry experience.

-Experience with acoustics, sound testing, vibration testing, modal analysis, strain measurement, transportation testing, or other specialized laboratory disciplines.

-Experience developing automated test systems, smart test stands, controls, or data acquisition solutions.

-Experience with laboratory calibration systems, or measurement traceability programs.

-Knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements such as AHRI, ASHRAE, UL, DOE, ANSI, ISO, or equivalent testing standards.

-Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and laboratory capability development projects.

-Experience with test automation, PLC controls, LabVIEW, data acquisition platforms, or similar laboratory automation technologies.

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