Sr. Test Engineer

Sr. Test Engineer Ubicación: Monterrey, NL . / Onsite Mexico Technical Center (MTC) BASIC FUNCTION Lead the operation of the Vitreous Laboratory, ensuring the effective execution of testing programs and compliance with safety, quality, and operational requirements. Maintain laboratory equipment, test methods, technical documentation, and laboratory processes to ensure accuracy, traceability, reliability, and audit readiness. Provide technical leadership for the alignment, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Laboratory Management Systems (LMS) across the regional Testing & Prototyping laboratories. Drive the standardization of test methods, documentation, training, and laboratory practices to improve consistency, compliance, and operational effectiveness. Coordinate and support the Regional QA Laboratory Certification Program, including audits, technical assessments, certification readiness reviews, and corrective action follow-up. Provide technical guidance to Plant QA Laboratories on test methods, laboratory practices, and quality system requirements to strengthen testing reliability, consistency, and compliance across the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES • Lead Vitreous Laboratory operations, testing activities, resources, safety, projects, and capital plan, including equipment acquisition, installation, qualification, calibration, maintenance, commissioning, and continuous improvement. • Ensure the accuracy, completeness, compliance, and traceability of test plans, data, calculations, deviations, and technical reports, while providing technical training and mentoring to laboratory personnel on test methods, LMS, certification requirements, and audit readiness. • Conduct and coordinate qualification, verification, validation, reliability, materials, dimensional, mechanical, performance, and compliance testing for vitreous products and components. • Coordinate and execute the Regional QA Laboratory Certification Program, including certification requirements, audits, technical assessments, documentation and method-compliance reviews, certification-readiness evaluations, findings, corrective-action follow-up, certification recommendations, and periodic recertification. Track audit and certification findings through closure, support root-cause analysis and corrective action development, and verify the effectiveness of implemented actions. • Support the implementation, alignment, maintenance, and continuous improvement of Laboratory Management Systems across regional QA Laboratories, including the standardization and control of test methods, procedures, work instructions, forms, technical records, reports, calibration and training records, deviations, and nonconformities, in accordance with Kohler requirements, engineering specifications, and applicable regulatory and industry standards. • Coordinate inter-laboratory correlation studies, round-robin testing, and MSA evaluations to improve consistency, repeatability, reproducibility, and technical validity of laboratory results. • Partner with Testing, Quality, Product Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and regional laboratory teams to resolve testing and LMS issues and implement laboratory alignment and continuous improvement actions. SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS: • Reports to the Regional Lab Manager. • Provides technical leadership and direction to engineers, analysts, and laboratory technicians to MTC and NA engineering labs. • Supports Product Engineering, Quality (QA labs), Manufacturing, and Product Management teams with testing and laboratory expertise. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: • Frequent interaction with Regional Test Labs, Plant QA Labs, Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Model Shop, and Purchasing to support testing, certification, and continuous improvement activities. • Occasional interaction with Industrial Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Legal, Corporate Quality, and senior management as required. EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS: • Regular contact with equipment suppliers, calibration providers, external laboratories, consultants, and technical service providers. • Contact with accreditation, certification, regulatory, or customer representatives when assigned and authorized. • Occasional participation in technical seminars, standards activities, supplier reviews, and industry events to improve laboratory and product-testing knowledge. LEVEL OF SKILL • Possesses the technical, laboratory, Laboratory Management System, auditing, and project-management skills necessary to execute laboratory activities and coordinate regional technical initiatives with limited supervision. •The position requires the ability to independently execute Vitreous Laboratory operations and projects, coordinate certification and audit activities, interpret technical and LMS requirements, and provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel. • Results-oriented professional who takes ownership and drives execution. Proactively identifies opportunities, gathers information, engages key stakeholders, and drives actions through completion. Effectively influences cross-functional and multisite teams through technical credibility, objective evidence, and clear communication without direct authority, building trusted relationships that enable collaboration, alignment, and results. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline, such as Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, Chemical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering and a Minimum of 5 Years of applicable experience in testing, product development, quality engineering, laboratory operations, metrology, manufacturing engineering, or a related technical field is required. Experience developing and Implementing Laboratory Management Systems (LIMS), internal auditing, document control, test-method development, technical reporting, calibration, traceability, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and laboratory equipment are required. Working knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025 implementation and maintenance, ISO 9001 requirements, ISO 19011 auditing guidelines, and applicable regulatory, customer, and engineering requirements. Experience with vitreous products, ceramic materials, dimensional inspection, mechanical testing, materials testing, product-performance evaluation, and manufacturing processes. Strong technical writing, project management, communication, facilitation, training, auditing experience and problem-solving skills are required. Lean Six Sigma certification is desirable. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively in English and travel and mobility to regional laboratories, manufacturing plants, suppliers, or external facilities as required. Why Choose Kohler? We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives. About Us It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.