Automotive Lab Testing Jobs in Detroit, MI (NOW HIRING)

About Wolverine Advanced Materials
Wolverine Advanced Materials produces and sells performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals used in gaskets for automotive & industrial applications; automotive brake noise insulators and NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) damping solutions for automotive.
Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide and has manufacturing operations in Virginia, Florida, Germany, and China, as well as sales & technical offices in Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India.
Wolverine Advanced Materials, an entity of Center Rock Capital, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance materials. Our core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the automotive and gasket industries.
Center Rock Capital is a company where they see potential where others may not look; and as a team we can find the right solution to the right challenge.
For more information, visit centerrockcp.com or wamglobal.com.
About the role
Build. Test. Solve. Grow.
We are looking for a driven, hands-on Chemical / Materials Engineer who is eager to do more than just sit behind a desk. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across R&D, quality, and manufacturing, giving you broad exposure to how materials truly perform in real-world applications. You will be involved in everything from formulation and lab testing to production trials and troubleshooting on the plant floor.
If you are someone who enjoys solving problems, taking ownership, and seeing your work come to life in actual products, this role is for you. This position is ideal for someone looking to build a strong, well-rounded career foundation by gaining exposure to multiple aspects of the business, working closely with cross-functional teams, and developing both technical and practical expertise.
Why This Role? This role is more than just a job-it's an opportunity to build your career from the ground up.
You'll gain exposure to:
• Product development and formulation
• Real-world manufacturing challenges
• Quality systems and testing methodologies
• Cross-functional collaboration across engineering, operations, and business teams
If you're looking to learn fast, take on challenges, and grow into a well-rounded engineer, this position will give you the foundation to do exactly that.
This position is located on site in Dearborn, Michigan.
What you'll do
Be Hands-On with Materials & Products
• Support the design and development of materials and coated products across sealing, brake, and NVH applications
• Work on coatings, rubber, and paint systems, including formulation improvements and optimization
• Participate and lead scaling formulations from lab to production Laboratory and Qualification Testing
• Perform material characterization, quality testing, and data analysis on raw and finished products
• Work with industry-standard and internal test methods (ASTM, ISO) and analytical tools such as DSC, TGA, and FTIR
• Help develop and refine test methods to improve accuracy and efficiency
• Maintain clear, organized, and high-quality technical documentation
Be on the Floor Where Things Happen
• Troubleshoot material and process issues directly on coating lines and in mixing operations
• Support on-site production trial runs (PTR) and ensure materials perform as expected
• Collaborate with manufacturing to solve real-time challenges and improve processes Drive Quality, Safety & Compliance
• Support product improvement initiatives and efforts across company
• Ensure compliance with environmental and chemical regulations (REACH, RoHS, IMDS)
• Support chemical/material specifications-raw and process
• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture Take Ownership & Communicate Clearly
• Manage tasks and projects with a focus on timelines, quality, and accountability
• Prepare technical reports and present findings clearly and effectively
• Work closely with cross-functional teams and contribute to a positive, respectful team environment
The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or related field
• 1+ year of laboratory experience (coatings, rubber, compounding, or similar materials preferred)
• Exposure to automotive, R&D, or quality environments is a plus
Technical Strength
• Understanding of material testing and characterization methods (ASTM, ISO)
• Familiarity with coatings, elastomers, and/or paint systems
• Experience with analytical tools such as DSC, TGA, FTIR is an asset
• Knowledge of REACH, RoHS, IMDS is a plus
Mindset & Work Style
• Hands-on, proactive, and self-motivated-you don't wait to be told what to do
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can manage multiple priorities
• Ability to problem-solve with analytical thinking skills
• Excellent communication and technical reporting abilities
• Team-oriented, respectful, and collaborative
• Detail-oriented with a strong sense of accountability and ownership
• Curious, adaptable, and always willing to learn
Work Environment & Expectations
• This is not a typical 8-5 desk job-you'll be active in both lab and production environments
• Willingness to travel up to 25%
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, hands-on, and sometimes high-demand environment
Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand or sit for extended periods (4-8 hours depending on workflow).
• Ability to walk between workstations, storage areas, production lines, mixing rooms and equipment rooms.
• Capacity to bend, reach, and crouch to access low or high shelves.
• Must be able to occasionally lift up to 40lbs.

Wolverine Advanced Materials is an Equal Employment Opportunity Company