Refrigeration Lab Specialist

Refrigeration Lab Specialist

The Refrigeration Lab Specialist is responsible for directing all laboratory activities related to supporting innovative features, new product introductions, and current products. Key responsibilities include overseeing the maintenance and calibration of lab equipment, spearheading product testing and evaluation, and cultivating expertise in all relevant agency testing protocols. The position also entails managing and refining lab processes and procedures, championing continuous improvements in lab efficiency, and fostering effective collaboration between the product design team and lab management.

The successful candidate will be expected to build in-depth technical knowledge of refrigerator system and sub-system testing to ensure adherence to regulatory and safety standards, while continuously advancing test procedure development.

• Develop expertise in thermal chamber operation, PLC controls, and DAQ programming maintenance, coordinating with vendors as needed to ensure operational lab equipment.
• Create and maintain operating and maintenance procedures for lab equipment and processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, optimize test procedures, enhance lab efficiencies, maintain 5S requirements, and manage consumables.
• Manage the lab inventory management system (LIMS) and prepare labs for quarterly audits.
• Collaborate with global teams to align test standards and data consistency across laboratories. May require travel less than 10% of the year.

• Develop and maintain internal test procedures that comply with agency regulations, educating global teams on requirements, and working closely with product development teams.
• Conduct standardized engineering and consumer research testing, analyze test data, and provide feedback to ensure product compliance, performance, reliability, and consumer satisfaction.
• Support product innovation through testing and prototyping.
• Actively participate in technical project reviews, including Service, Safety, and Installation assessments.
• Lead the efforts of ordering, receiving, and testing competitor products as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High School graduate.
• Experience working with refrigeration products.
• Demonstrable Excel and PowerPoint experience.
• Work as a lab technician or service technician with 5+ years experience.

• Mechanical technical certificate or mechanical technician degree program.
• Experience with refrigeration agency requirements, including DOE energy consumption (AHAM HRF-1).
• Experience with appliance industry evaluation standards such as UL 60335-1 and UL 60335-2-24.
• Experience with technical writing such as test procedures and SOPs.

• Proficient with additive and subtractive rapid prototyping methods.
• Familiarity with plastics manufacturing and metal fabrication.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Organized, self-starter with strong task-prioritization skills.
• Strong desire to learn with the ability to be self-taught.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.