Lab Engineer III, Global Materials Science

Join Amazon's Global Materials Science (GMS) organization as a Lab Engineer and be part of pioneering sustainable e-commerce packaging. In this role, you'll lead materials testing and characterization efforts that directly support the development of breakthrough packaging materials. You'll drive technical direction in state-of-the-art laboratories—designing experiments, developing novel test methods, operating advanced equipment, and generating critical data that enables our team to make informed decisions about materials that touch millions of customer experiences daily. You'll work independently to solve complex testing challenges, mentor fellow lab engineers, and serve as a technical resource for cross-functional partners. Key job responsibilities Materials Testing & Characterization: • Lead and independently conduct advanced materials testing using equipment including tensile testers, burst testers, tear testers, rheometers, thermal analysis instruments, and other materials characterization tools. • Design, develop, and refine test protocols following TAPPI, ASTM, ISO, and ISTA standards as well as internal methods—identifying gaps in existing approaches and proposing improvements. • Perform complex, multi-variable testing on packaging materials including paper substrates, adhesives, coatings, and alternative fiber materials, interpreting results in the context of broader project objectives. • Independently troubleshoot equipment issues, optimize test parameters, and ensure proper calibration and functionality across the lab's instrument portfolio. • Prepare test specimens according to specifications and standard operating procedures, adapting approaches when standard methods are insufficient for novel materials. • Identify, design, and implement improved lab processes and mechanisms that raise the bar for the entire team. Establish best practices that scale across the organization. Data Collection & Analysis: • Collect, organize, and document experimental data with high accuracy and attention to detail. • Perform advanced analysis of test results—identifying trends, anomalies, and correlations in materials performance data and drawing conclusions that inform project direction. • Generate comprehensive test reports that synthesize findings, provide interpretation, and recommend next steps. • Drive data-driven decision making by translating complex test results into clear, actionable insights for engineers, scientists, and business stakeholders. • Develop standardized data analysis frameworks and templates that improve consistency and efficiency across the lab team. Laboratory Operations: • Develop, author, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for testing activities. • Champion a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment—modeling best practices for the team. • Lead laboratory safety programs, equipment maintenance schedules, and readiness initiatives. • Proactively identify and implement opportunities to improve testing efficiency, data quality, and lab throughput. • Manage inventory of laboratory supplies and test materials, anticipating needs and preventing disruptions. Mentoring & Technical Leadership: • Mentor and train junior lab engineers on testing techniques, equipment operation, data analysis, and lab best practices. • Serve as a technical point of contact for testing questions, method development, and troubleshooting. • Provide guidance on experimental design and help team members develop their problem-solving capabilities. • Raise the technical bar for the team through knowledge sharing, peer review, and constructive feedback. Cross-Functional Collaboration: • Partner with Advanced Materials Engineers and scientists on experimental design, method development, and result interpretation—operating as a peer contributor to project strategy. • Communicate test results, technical insights, and recommendations to team members and stakeholders with clarity and confidence. • Lead supplier qualification testing activities, independently managing the testing workflow and providing go/no-go recommendations. • Drive sample preparation and testing programs for field trials and deployment validation, coordinating across teams to meet timelines. • Actively contribute to project planning discussions, bringing technical perspective on feasibility, timelines, and resource requirements. Documentation & Continuous Improvement • Own the development and refinement of test procedures, SOPs, and method validation documentation. • Document experimental procedures, observations, and results thoroughly—establishing documentation standards for the team. • Identify, propose, and implement improvements to testing methods and laboratory processes, driving measurable impact. • Apply materials science principles to interpret the significance of test results and connect findings to broader project goals. • Stay current with emerging test methods and industry developments; bring new approaches into the lab. 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 with a quick review of the team's testing queue—you've been leading the characterization work for a critical adhesive development project, and today you need to make a judgment call on which test variables to prioritize given a tight timeline. You prepare test specimens, adjusting the conditioning protocol you developed last month based on learnings from the initial rounds of testing. Mid-morning, you're running tensile and burst tests on paper samples from a new supplier. The results are unexpected—tear strength is significantly higher, but stiffness has dropped. You analyze the tradeof