Job Description: Lab & installation scientist/engineer - For a role in Scientific Instrumentation with Industrial Applications
Job Posting Date: 6th December 2024
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Contract: Full-time, Permanent, on-site with up to 35% travel
Thermal Hazard Technology (THT) is a global leader in specialized calorimeters and their application for Energetic and Reactive Chemicals and Lithium Batteries. We're a fast-growing SME with a long-standing history of success, a great brand reputation across the world, and a strong financial position within our market. THT is based in Milton Keynes, UK and owned by the Judges Scientific Group, an AIM-listed PLC. More than 90% of our products are exported out of the UK, and have offices in our major markets; USA (NJ & NC), China (Shanghai) and India (Delhi).
THT Inc. is the North American arm of THT, and we are setting up a new dedicated lab/service base in the Charlotte, NC area to provide local testing and support for our US customers.
THT is looking for talented and ambitious individuals to help us grow our laboratory services, which consist of customer sample testing, applications projects, on-customer-site installation and commissioning of equipment, along with support for our worldwide sales and marketing effort.
Our customers include global names you’ll know… Pfizer, AstraZeneca and GSK (pharma); Panasonic, NASA, BMW, Samsung, LG, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Apple (battery), and so many more. The successful candidate will be part of our “Lab Forces” and primarily conduct thermal-runaway testing on the latest generation of lithium batteries of all technologies, form factors, and sizes to gather valuable data which goes towards improving safety in electric vehicles.
The Role:
You will be working in a new Charlotte, NC based service center and helping to grow the organization in the US, both in terms of laboratory facilities and customer networking. We are looking for talented and ambitious individuals for the role which consists of chemical and battery sample testing, applications projects, on-customer-site installation and commissioning of equipment, and support for our worldwide sales and marketing effort with primary focus in supporting the North America Technical Sales team.
This is a streamlined operation so the successful candidate should be independently motivated and able to use their initiative to complete tasks. You will be in daily communication with the UK head office, so it helps to be a morning person! Your primary task will be conducting thermal-runaway testing on the latest generation of lithium batteries of all technologies, form factors, and sizes to gather valuable data which goes towards improving safety in electric vehicles. You will also have a key role in the initial setup of the lab and ensuring smooth day-to-day operation. Once you gain knowledge on the instruments and techniques, you will be expected to travel to customers in the US and Canada to install THT equipment and train new users. Further down the line, you may also be expected to carry out basic servicing of instruments in the field.
After starting, THT will offer training in the US and UK to bring you up to speed. Further training will be provided by THT staff both on-site in the Charlotte, NC location and remotely as the new operation gets up and running. The role offers great learning support, tremendous scope for progression and a protective yet challenging working environment.
Missions & Responsibilities:
- Laboratory based work: Running scientific instruments, interpreting data and writing reports for customer contracts. Testing requires significant physical setup of samples
- Development customer base within the US; talk to customers online or in person
- Travel within North America for installations and customer training (35% Travel primarily within the US, Canada, and UK)
- Some sales activities such as preparing quotations, and pre-sales discussion with support from North America Technical Sales team
- Facilitate day-to-day lab operations, keeping instruments working to spec and running customer samples
- Technical or service support tasks as required to keep instrument running (with support from the UK).
Essential Requirements
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and other related majors in science and engineering field OR equivalent professional experience.
- Proven mathematical and numerical skills, for data handling and analysis,
- Self-starter, hardworking and disciplined - you must be able to work alone as required. This is a key requirement and experience to demonstrate this would be a big advantage.
- Excellent personal and communication skills,
- Good understanding of Excel, and other standard MS programs
- An inquisitive mind and keen to put a practical approach to work
- Ability to work under pressure, happy to roll up sleeves and get a job done and find solutions to problems through critical thinking
- Ability to lift 50 lbs
- Driver’s licence, keen to travel when required
- Passport or ability to rapidly acquire one
Useful bonus abilities
- Lab work experience: ideally battery-based but chemical work is also useful
- Background/experience in Lithium-ion batteries/electrochemistry
- Background/experience in chemical process safety
- Knowledge of advanced data handling e.g. MATLAB, Python
- Knowledge of electronics; useful for understanding how our instruments work
- Some experience in customer facing roles is helpful
- Project management experience
- Qualities, experience and abilities to impress us
Benefits and Package:
- Competitive annual salary dependent on skills, qualifications and experience
- Profit Share
- 401K retirement plan with company match
- Health benefits
- Generous PTO
Final note: The above job spec is for the ideal candidate, don’t be discouraged from applying if you do not tick all the boxes! We are looking for someone with the right attitude and minimum skill set that is willing to learn and grow by working hard more than anything else!
No visa or work permit support can be provided for this role.
To apply for the above position please send your CV and Covering Letter to Mrs Stacey Groom, (heading US Lab Engineer Vacancy) to [email protected]