Lead Materials Science Lab (MSL) engineer and Lab Owner

Description -

The lead material science lab (MSL) engineer and lab owner provides hands-on technical leadership in materials reliability, failure analysis, and reliability risk mitigation for the Advanced Computing Systems (ACS) product development organization. Leading the Materials Science Lab (MSL) and working with key ACS stakeholders, the candidate will help define investigation and test strategies, interpret complex lab data, and drive clear engineering actions. The role influences program decisions through engineering capabilities, technical acumen, and cross-functional alignment, while supporting the development of MSL personnel and equipment to enable a strong lab supporting ACS programs.

Job Summary:

MSL Support

• Partner with MSL staff to plan and execute materials characterization, analytical testing, and failure analysis in support of product development, qualification, and field return investigations.

• Translate problem statements into investigation plans (test methods, sample selection, and timelines); select appropriate analytical techniques and define data needs.

• Interpret results with the MSL team; communicate conclusions to engineering and leadership in a concise, level-appropriate manner.

• Model strong safety, quality, and integrity practices for handling samples, data, and conclusions.

• Work directly with contracting company to manage SOW for MSL contractor support, maintain consistent communication as needs and activities change.

• Assess future needs of MSL regarding capital, facilities, and human resources; budget and plan accordingly for ensuring an effective organization supporting ACS.

ACS Support

• Provide materials and reliability expertise to ACS programs to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks early in design and throughout qualification.

• Partner with ODMs/suppliers and internal engineering teams to resolve materials and component reliability concerns. 

• Lead technical deep-dives on recurring or high-impact failure mechanisms; recommend design/process/material changes and verification plans tied to reliability targets and business impact.

• Support corrective-action execution by reviewing evidence, validating fixes through testing, and ensuring learnings are captured for reuse across related programs.

• Mentor and coach engineers through active case work: teach failure analysis workflows, experimental design, and effective technical storytelling (no direct people management required).

Required Experience & Capabilities:

• Experience partnering closely or leading an internal materials lab (sample prep, method selection, constraints, turnaround optimization, and data quality).

• Working knowledge of common characterization and failure analysis methods (e.g., optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FTIR, DSC/TGA, XRF, cross-sectioning) and their limitations.

• Experience with supplier/ODM engagement, root cause analysis, and driving corrective actions across organizational boundaries.

• Ability to define test plans and interpret characterization results; comfortable engaging directly with lab techniques and data (hands-on technical leadership).

• Proven cross-functional leadership without direct authority: driving alignment, making evidence-based recommendations, and communicating clearly to engineering and leadership audiences.

• Strong communication skills: technical writing, documentation, presentation

Preferred Background:

• Demonstrated expertise in failure mechanisms across common engineering materials (metals, polymers, adhesives/coatings), including corrosion/contamination, wear, fatigue, cracking, and environmental aging.

• Experience in IPC acceptability standards, particularly IPC-A-610 and IPC-A-600

• Experience building standards, templates, or method validation packages that improve repeatability and auditability

• Experience in connectors/cables/interconnect reliability and related failure mechanisms

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).  Graduate level degree is a plus.

• Significant experience (typically 10+ years) in materials reliability, failure analysis, and/or product reliability engineering for electromechanical or electronics-adjacent products.

Cross-Org Skills:

• Customer Centricity• Prioritization• Resilience• Team Management• Strategic Thinking

Impact & Scope

• Impacts the entire business and influences the company direction across multiple disciplines or areas of HP.

Complexity

• Uses input from managers and directors to inform strategy and achieve company goals and objectives.

Disclaimer

• This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.

The pay range for this role is$130,700to$205,200USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.Benefits:HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Long term/short term disability insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Life insurance

• Generous time off policies, including;

• 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure

• 11 paid holidays

• Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Job Posting Expiration Date: 07/30/2026

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Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) - 

HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).

Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.

For more information, review HP’sEEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal"