Mechanical Testing Engineer - Client & Lab Lead
About the Company:
Our client is a well-established, independent metallurgical testing laboratory based in southeastern Wisconsin. They are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited and are considered a critical partner to a wide range of manufacturers across the U.S. and internationally. They specialize in supporting industries such as metals manufacturing, fabrication, aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial equipment production.
The lab offers a full suite of testing services, including mechanical testing (tensile, impact, hardness), weld qualification and inspection, metallography and chemical analysis, failure analysis, salt spray and corrosion testing, environmental simulation, and on-site or specialty test development. They are equipped with a full-service in-house machine shop, allowing them to rapidly design and fabricate custom fixtures as needed.
Their client base spans the country, with a strong concentration in the Midwest, and includes both small manufacturers and large OEMs. They are widely known for their exceptional responsiveness and turnaround, delivering most routine test results within an industry-leading 24-72 hour window..
Why This Role Is Unique - Employee Value Proposition:
What makes this lab unique is its blend of hands-on engineering, custom fixture development, and deep customer engagement. You'll work alongside engineers, metallurgists, and long-tenured lab professionals in a collaborative, respectful, and ego-free environment.
Legacy Meets Innovation: You'll take the reins from a 40-year veteran and help shape the next era of the lab's technical excellence.
Intellectual Variety: No two days are the same-testing spans aerospace alloys to structural welds to obscure legacy materials.
Autonomy + Support: You'll own technical decision-making with the full backing of a humble, supportive leadership team.
Family Culture: Think low-ego, high-respect. Leadership leads by example (literally-the owner takes out the trash).
Balanced Life: 40-hour workweeks, flexible start times, minimal red tape, and a loyal team that loves their work.
This is the perfect role for an engineer who thrives on mechanical problem-solving, loves getting their hands dirty, and prefers a technically engaging environment over a corporate ladder climb.
Your Mission:
You'll serve as the technical leader of the Mechanical Testing Department, supporting and mentoring a small team of analysts while developing custom test methods, fixtures, and solutions for non-routine client requests.
Core Responsibilities:
Serve as the primary technical liaison to customers (help define scope, interpret specs, guide feasibility)
Quote projects and coordinate testing needs based on ASTM/ISO standards
Develop and troubleshoot test methods for tensile, impact, and hardness testing
Lead design and development of custom fixtures in collaboration with machine shop
Perform and oversee specialty mechanical tests (electromechanical, hydraulic, high-capacity)
Review and deliver detailed technical reports to customers
Troubleshoot test anomalies, equipment performance, and data issues
What Success Looks Like in the First Year:
Fully transition knowledge from outgoing technical director (retiring after 40+ years)
Independently manage quoting and execution of custom mechanical tests
Serve as technical advisor for internal team and external clients
Maintain turnaround targets and uphold ISO 17025 standards
Develop new fixtures and testing capabilities based on client needs
What You Bring to the Table:
Desired Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent technical experience)
4+ years of hands-on mechanical/materials testing experience
Strong understanding of tensile, impact, hardness testing, and ASTM/ISO standards
Proven ability to troubleshoot mechanical testing equipment and methods
Comfortable reading specs, quoting projects, and interacting directly with customers
Hands-on experience with fixture development and custom setups
Bonus Experience:
Proficiency with Instron Bluehill or Tinius Olsen Horizon software
Background in 3rd party test labs, materials engineering firms, or metallurgical environments
Demonstrated success in fast-paced, low-structure environments
Compensation, Benefits & Work Environment:
Base Salary: $80,000-$110,000+ (flexible for ideal candidates)
Bonus: Annual holiday bonus, Profit Sharing
Relocation: Assistance available for the right candidate
Schedule: Onsite | 40-hour week | Flexible start time (6 AM to 9 AM)
Benefits: Full medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, PTO, paid holidays, and more (full package shared during process
Ready to Apply?
If you're an engineer with a passion for solving real-world mechanical challenges, collaborating with a tight-knit team, and being the go-to technical expert in a lab setting, we want to hear from you.
Please note all resumes and candidate information submitted are kept in the strictest confidence. No resume will be released without the candidate's prior permission.
About ManpowerGroup, Parent Company of: Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Jefferson Wells _.
ManpowerGroup® (NYSE: MAN), the leading global workforce solutions company, helps organizations transform in a fast-changing world of work by sourcing, assessing, developing, and managing the talent that enables them to win. We develop innovative solutions for hundreds of thousands of organizations every year, providing them with skilled talent while finding meaningful, sustainable employment for millions of people across a wide range of industries and skills. Our expert family of brands - Manpower, Experis, Talent Solutions, and Jefferson Wells - creates substantial value for candidates and clients across more than 75 countries and territories and has done so for over 70 years. We are recognized consistently for our diversity - as a best place to work for Women, Inclusion, Equality and Disability and in 2022 ManpowerGroup was named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for the 13th year - all confirming our position as the brand of choice for in-demand talent._
ManpowerGroup is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a professional, high quality work environment. It is the policy of ManpowerGroup and all of its subsidiaries to recruit, train, promote, transfer, pay and take all employment actions without regard to an employee's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
