What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialist, Materials Lab position at Scout Motors Inc.?
Here at Scout Motors, we're carrying forward the heritage of one of the most iconic American vehicles in history. A vehicle dating back to 1960. One that forged the path for future generations of rugged SUVs and will do so once again.
But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.
The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the environment by developing electric vehicles with the capability to get you to any location. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. And respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute.
At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.
Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!
About The Team
The Production Quality Team within Scout includes Body Quality, Paint Quality, General Assembly Quality, Technical Engineering Quality, Component Center, Accessory Center, and the Quality Management System (QMS). This role is specifically designed to the Production Quality Laboratories.
The Materials Labs Specialist is responsible for conducting material testing, analysis, and evaluation to support vehicle development and manufacturing. This role involves working with various automotive materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and coatings, to ensure they meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and performance expectations. The specialist will collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, and quality assurance personnel to enhance material performance and resolve issues related to material properties and processing.
What you’ll do
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.
Initial base salary range = $95,000.00 - $120,000.00
Internal leveling code: IC9
Notice to applicants:
Scout is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ScoutAccommodations@scoutmotors.com.
But Scout is more than just a brand, it’s a legacy steeped in a culture of exploration, caretaking, and hard work.
The Scout brand is all about respect. Respect for the environment by developing electric vehicles with the capability to get you to any location. Respect for the past and the future by taking an iconic American brand that hasn’t been around for a while, electrifying it, digitizing it, and loading it with American innovation. Respect for communities by creating a company that stands for its people and its customers. And respect for both work and play, with vehicles that are equally at home at a camp site, a job site, or on a Tuesday commute.
At Scout Motors, we empower our talented, inclusive, and entrepreneurial teams to innovate. What makes a Scout employee? Someone who is a visionary and a leader, who seeks new paths and shares lessons learned. A knowledgeable doer who collaborates across the company to build better. A go-getter with unrivaled passion.
Join us at Scout Motors and be part of shaping the future of transportation. If you're ready to drive change and make history, apply now!
About The Team
The Production Quality Team within Scout includes Body Quality, Paint Quality, General Assembly Quality, Technical Engineering Quality, Component Center, Accessory Center, and the Quality Management System (QMS). This role is specifically designed to the Production Quality Laboratories.
The Materials Labs Specialist is responsible for conducting material testing, analysis, and evaluation to support vehicle development and manufacturing. This role involves working with various automotive materials, including metals, polymers, composites, and coatings, to ensure they meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and performance expectations. The specialist will collaborate with engineering teams, suppliers, and quality assurance personnel to enhance material performance and resolve issues related to material properties and processing.
What you’ll do
Become part of an iconic brand that is set to revolutionize the electric pick-up truck & rugged SUV marketplace by achieving the following:
- Material Testing & Analysis: Perform mechanical, thermal, chemical, and physical tests on automotive materials to assess strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and other critical properties.
- Failure Analysis: Investigate material failures and defects in components, determining causes such as fatigue, stress, or environmental exposure using techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and non-destructive testing (NDT) to determine root causes and recommend corrective actions.
- Research & Development: Assist in the development and evaluation of new materials and coatings for automotive applications, ensuring compatibility with design and manufacturing processes.
- Quality Assurance Compliance & Standards: Ensure materials meet industry standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO, SAE, VDA, etc) and regulatory requirements for safety, sustainability, and performance.
- Collaboration: Work closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to support material selection, testing protocols, and process improvements.
- Documentation & Reporting: Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and recommendations based on laboratory findings. Maintain accurate records of test results and material performance data.
- Equipment Maintenance: Operate and maintain laboratory instruments such as spectrometers, hardness testers, tensile testers, scanning electron microscopes (SEM), Coordinate Measurement Machines (CMM), and thermal analysis equipment. Ensure calibration and proper functioning of testing equipment.
- Process Optimization: Support manufacturing teams by working with engineers and suppliers in optimizing material processing techniques such as welding, casting, stamping, and injection molding to improve cost efficiency, sustainability, performance and reduce defects.
- Color and Graining – experience with the evaluation of color and graining for exterior and interior components.
- This role will be based out of the Scout Motors location in Blythewood, South Carolina.
- The responsibilities of this role require daily attendance at in-person meetings and events.
- Applicants should expect that the role will require the ability to convene with Scout colleagues in person and travel to participate in events on behalf of the company from time to time.
- Travel: International and/or Domestic 20-30% of the time, Passport Required.
We expect all Scout employees to have integrity, curiosity, resourcefulness, and strive to exhibit a positive attitude, as well as a growth mindset. You’ll be comfortable with change and flexible in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You’ll take a collaborative approach to achieve ambitious goals. Here's what else you'll bring:
- Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience in an automotive or materials testing laboratory environment preferred.
- Experience with material characterization techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis).
- Knowledge of automotive industry standards and testing methods.
- Strong knowledge of material characterization techniques (e.g., SEM, XRD, FTIR, DSC, TGA, hardness testing).
- Understanding of automotive materials, including metals, plastics, elastomers, and composites.
- Proficiency with CMM equipment and ability to write CMM programs is a definite plus.
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams, including design, manufacturing, and suppliers
- Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., MATLAB, Minitab, Excel).
- Familiarity with quality standards such as IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
- Laboratory setting with exposure to various testing equipment and materials.
- Collaboration with cross-functional teams in engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance.
- Potential travel to suppliers or manufacturing facilities for material assessments.
The benefits of joining Scout include the chance to build products and a company from the ground up. This is a chance to create something new and lasting – with an iconic brand at its foundation. In addition, Scout provides competitive compensation and benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. Program specifics are detailed in company policies and employee benefit guides, select highlights:
- Competitive insurance including:
- Medical, dental, vision and income protection plans
- 401(k) program with:
- An employer match and immediate vesting
- Generous Paid Time Off including:
- 20 days planned PTO, as accrued
- 40 hours of unplanned PTO and 14 company or floating holidays, annually
- Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave for biological and adoptive parents of all genders
- Paid leave for circumstances related to bereavement, jury duty, voting time, or military leave
This is a full-time, exempt position eligible to receive a base salary and to participate in an annual performance bonus program. Final salary offered will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience. The annual performance bonus program is preset and not candidate dependent.
Initial base salary range = $95,000.00 - $120,000.00
Internal leveling code: IC9
Notice to applicants:
- Residing in San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
- Residing in Los Angeles: Scout Motors will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
- Residing in New York City: This role is not eligible for remote work in New York City.
Scout is committed to employing a diverse workforce and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, pregnancy, or any other characteristics protected by law. Scout is committed to compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact ScoutAccommodations@scoutmotors.com.
Salary : $95,000 - $120,000
