What are the responsibilities and job description for the OBD Lab Supervisor position at MARTIN Technologies?
Company Overview
MARTIN Technologies is a global, full-service engineering and manufacturing leader serving the automotive, marine, aerospace, and defense industries. Since 1996, we’ve partnered with OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers to design, develop, and certify next-generation propulsion technologies. Our state-of-the-art facilities include dedicated OBD, emissions, dyno, and vehicle labs—all driven by a culture of safety, precision, and innovation.
Job Summary
We are seeking a results-oriented OBD Lab Supervisor to lead day-to-day operations in our On-Board Diagnostics validation labs. You will oversee a multidisciplinary team multiple technicians and engineers, ensuring every test is executed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with global regulatory standards (EPA, CARB, Euro 6/7, China 6, etc.). Success in this role requires deep OBD expertise, strong people-leadership skills, and a passion for continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Area | What You’ll Do |
Team Leadership & Mentoring | • Set goals, coach, and develop up to 12 OBD technicians/engineers. • Manage staffing, schedules, PTO, and daily assignments. • Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and professional growth. |
Operational Oversight | • Coordinate OBD monitor validation, fault-injection, and drive-cycle testing for engines and hybrid powertrains. • Verify test requests, instrumentation readiness, and vehicle/facility availability to minimize downtime. • Enforce 5S, OSHA, and company EHS procedures at all times. |
Technical Guidance | • Troubleshoot data-logging, DTC triggering, and monitor-enable issues in real time. • Approve sensor calibration, CAN/LIN data-acquisition parameters, and compliance checklists. • Validate results for accuracy, repeatability, and regulatory readiness. |
Regulatory Compliance & Reporting | • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of EPA, CARB, LEV III, WLTP, RDE, and regional OBD regulations. • Prepare and review certification packets, test summaries, and engineering reports for internal and customer sign-off. |
Equipment & Facility Maintenance | • Drive preventive-maintenance schedules for fault-injection boxes, emissions analyzers, and data systems. • Lead root-cause investigations on equipment failures and implement corrective actions. |
Process Improvement & KPIs | • Implement lean workflows that shorten cycle time and boost first-time-right metrics. • Track lab KPIs (throughput, downtime, data validity, safety) and present weekly reports to management. |
Cross-Functional Collaboration | • Interface with Calibration, Powertrain Engineering, and Program Management to align priorities and resource needs. • Translate lab findings into actionable insights for product development and certification strategies. |
Qualifications & Skills
- Education – B.S. in Mechanical, Automotive, or Electrical Engineering preferred; equivalent technical experience considered.
- Experience –
- 5–10 years in OBD or emissions validation with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
- Proven track record coordinating certification programs for OEM or Tier-1 customers.
- 5–10 years in OBD or emissions validation with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role.
- Technical Proficiency –
- Hands-on expertise with OBD validation tools and dyno control systems (AVL PUMA, Horiba STARS, DTS, etc.).
- Deep knowledge of diagnostic communication protocols (UDS, J1979), CAN/LIN/FlexRay, and calibration tools (ETAS INCA, Vector CANape/CANalyzer).
- Familiarity with fault-injection hardware, DTC mapping, monitor enablement tracking, and OBD readiness reporting.
- Hands-on expertise with OBD validation tools and dyno control systems (AVL PUMA, Horiba STARS, DTS, etc.).
- Leadership & Soft Skills –
- Able to motivate diverse teams under tight timelines while upholding safety and quality.
- Clear communicator comfortable translating complex regulatory data for non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and root-cause problem-solving abilities.
- Able to motivate diverse teams under tight timelines while upholding safety and quality.
Why Join MARTIN?
- Certification Impact – Lead the team that ensures vehicles meet global OBD standards and reach the market on time.
- Cutting-Edge Facilities – Work in labs outfitted with the latest diagnostic and emissions-analysis technology.
- Career Growth – Advance within a company that values technical mastery and leadership development.
- Culture of Innovation – Join a collaborative team that prizes precision, creativity, and continuous improvement.
