Research Scientist - Plastic Welding & Industrial Automation

SPM Automation develops advanced plastics-joining and custom automation solutions for leading global manufacturers. Proudly based in Windsor, Ontario, our expertise spans laser, infrared, hot plate, vibration, and ultrasonic welding—bringing together applied science, machine design, and intelligent controls to solve demanding production challenges for customers around the world.

We build more than machines - we build long-term customer partnerships. By working closely with customers to understand their products, processes, and goals, we turn complex manufacturing problems into practical innovations that improve quality, productivity, and reliability.

At SPM, you can make a direct contribution and see the results. Our researchers, designers, controls specialists, and machine builders work side by side, connecting ideas, experiments, and engineering decisions to equipment on the shop floor and performance in customers’ facilities.

As we grow, we are investing in our people and strengthening how we workbysharing knowledge, developing technical capability, and continuously improving our processes. We are looking for people who take pride in their craft, bring curiosity to difficult problems, and want to help customers and teammates succeed.

Turn scientific insight into technology that works on the production floor.

We are looking for a hands‑on Research Scientist who wants to do more than study a process—you want to improve it, prove it, and help put it to work. You will advance plastics‑welding technologies and integrate them into intelligent, reliable industrial automation solutions.

At SPM, you will tackle challenging plastics-joining applications, including laser welding, and work directly with engineering and manufacturing colleagues to translate research into industrial solutions. Your work will connect polymer behaviour, energy delivery, joint design, sensing, and process control to the outcomes customers need: consistent welds, reliable equipment, and better manufacturing performance.

You will stay close to the full development journey—from defining the problem and designing experiments to validating results and supporting implementation. You will help shape SPM’s laser‑welding product roadmap, translate customer requirements into development priorities, and advance promising technologies toward repeatable, commercially viable equipment solutions. You will also develop practical AI‑enabled tools and share knowledge that strengthens the wider team.

This full‑time, on‑site position is based in Windsor, Ontario, and reports to the Chief of Engineering.

Laser‑Focused on Innovation — Design Engineering

(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..design‑‑focused‑on‑innovation/

Festo & SPM Automation:
Designing Smarter Production Together

Applied Research and Process Development

• Plan and conduct experiments to understand and improve plastics‑welding processes, including the effects of material properties, part geometry, joint design, energy input, force, displacement, and process variation.

• Investigate and develop laser‑welding applications, including material compatibility, energy delivery, joint design, process monitoring, and weld‑quality validation.

• Develop test methods, assess measurement reliability, analyze experimental data, and establish robust process windows and acceptance criteria.

• Investigate weld‑quality and process‑performance issues, identify root causes, and recommend practical improvements.

• Conduct feasibility studies to support customer applications and equipment proposals, documenting assumptions, technical risks, test results, and recommendations.

• Evaluate emerging joining technologies…