Lab Engineer, Global Materials Science

This job is with Amazon, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

DESCRIPTION:

Join Amazon's Global Materials Science (GMS) organization as a Lab Engineer and be part of pioneering sustainable e-commerce packaging. In this hands-on role, you'll conduct materials testing and characterization that directly supports the development of breakthrough packaging materials. You'll work in state-of-the-art laboratories, operating advanced testing equipment, executing experiments, and generating critical data that enables our team to make informed decisions about materials that touch millions of customer experiences daily.

Key job responsibilities
Materials Testing & Characterization:
- Conduct hands-on materials testing using equipment including tensile testers, burst testers, tear testers, rheometers, and other materials characterization tools.
- Execute test protocols following TAPPI, ASTM, ISO, and ISTA standards as well as internal developed methods.
- Perform testing on packaging materials including paper substrates, adhesives, coatings, and alternative fiber materials.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment, ensuring proper calibration and functionality
- Prepare test and store specimens according to specifications and standard operating procedures
- Identify, recommend, and help implement improved lab processes for the team. Learning to create mechanisms.

Data Collection & Analysis:
- Collect, organize, and document experimental data with high accuracy and attention to detail.
- Analyze test results and identify trends or anomalies in materials performance.
- Generate clear and concise test reports summarizing findings and observations.
- Support data-driven decision making by providing reliable, high-quality test results

Laboratory Operations:
- Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for all testing activities
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment.
- Participate in laboratory safety programs and equipment maintenance schedules.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to improve testing efficiency and data quality.
- Support inventory management of laboratory supplies and test materials

Cross-Functional Support:
- Collaborate with Advanced Materials Engineers and scientists on experimental design and execution.
- Communicate test results, status updates, and any issues or blockers to team members.
- Support supplier qualification activities by conducting materials testing on vendor samples.
- Assist with sample preparation and testing for field trials and deployment validation.
- Participate in team meetings and contribute to project planning discussions.

Documentation & Continuous Improvement:
- Contribute to the development and refinement of test procedures and SOPs
- Document experimental procedures, observations, and results clearly and thoroughly.
- Identify and recommend improvements to testing methods and laboratory processes.
- Learn and apply materials science principles to understand the significance of test results.
- Seek feedback and continuously develop technical skills and domain knowledge.

Work Environment:
- Primarily laboratory-based work with hands-on equipment operation.
- Standard lab safety protocols and PPE requirements.
- Occasional lifting of materials and equipment (up to 50 lbs), standing, walking, kneeling throughout the day.
- Collaborative team environment with regular interaction with scientists and engineers.

A day in the life
Your day starts in the lab preparing test specimens-cutting paper samples to precise dimensions and conditioning them in the environmental chamber. You're supporting a critical adhesive development project, and today's testing will determine if the new formulation meets performance requirements.
Mid-morning, you're running tensile and burst tests on paper samples, carefully following the test protocol and recording data in real-time. The results look interesting-you notice the tear strength is higher than previous samples and flag this for the materials engineer leading the project.
After lunch, you're operating the rheometer to characterize viscosity profiles of new hot melt adhesive samples from three different suppliers. You meticulously document the temperature ramps and flow behavior, knowing this data will directly inform sourcing decisions.
Your afternoon includes calibrating equipment, organizing test data into clear summary reports, and preparing samples for tomorrow's environmental conditioning tests. You also participate in a team meeting where you present your week's testing results-your data shows one supplier's material consistently outperforms the others.
This is hands-on work that matters. The tests you conduct today generate the data that enables breakthrough materials innovations, supports major procurement decisions, and ultimately improves packaging for millions of customers while advancing Amazon's…