Lead Laboratory Technician

Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Family Group:

Production and Manufacturing Downstream

Worker Type:

Regular

Posting Start Date:

November 19, 2025

Business unit:

Downstream and Renewables

Experience Level:

Early Careers

Job Description:

Do you like helping people? Do you like to make people smile? Are you passionate about putting people in a better place? Then you may have what it takes to join our amazing team.

What's the role

The overall function of the Lead Laboratory Technician is to oversee and support the execution of analytical testing to ensure that polyethylene products meet internal specifications and industry standards. This role provides technical leadership, mentors laboratory personnel, and ensures adherence to safety, quality, and compliance protocols. Serving as a key link between the 24x7 Product Quality Laboratory and 24x7 Operations, the Lead Technician coordinates on-shift lab activities, troubleshoots instrumentation issues, and drives continuous improvement. By doing so, they play a critical role in maintaining product integrity, supporting production efficiency, and upholding customer satisfaction.

What you'll be doing

Support Activities - Enabling the lab team and broader Product Quality organization through training, communication, and administrative support

• Serve as a liaison between the 24x7 operations and the laboratory to ensure clear communication and alignment
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to lab technicians to support skill development and performance improvement
• Coordinate shift handovers to maintain continuity across lab operations
• Support training programs for new and existing lab personnel
• Participate in internal and external audits, method reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain accurate records of testing, equipment logs, and quality documentation

Technical Support - Ensuring the technical accuracy, quality, and compliance of lab operations

• Ensure timely and accurate testing of polyethylene products to meet internal specifications and industry standards
• Oversee adherence to analytical methods, SOPs, and quality control practices
• Review and validate test results for accuracy, completeness, and conformance
• Monitor statistical quality control (SQC) charts and initiate corrective actions when needed
• Troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation and coordinate maintenance or calibration
• Support Management of Change (MOC) processes related to lab methods, equipment, and documentation
• Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and analytical methods

Operations - Day-to-day tasks that ensure the lab runs smoothly and supports production needs

• Manage day-to-day lab activities to ensure smooth and compliant operations
• Escalate abnormal situations to the Laboratory Supervisor to minimize disruption
• Ensure compliance with safety, health, environmental, and quality standards, including ISO 9001 and site-specific protocols
• Collaborate with production, quality, and technical teams to resolve product quality issues and support process optimization

What we need from you

• Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than the current employer
• Minimum of 3 years of laboratory experience in manufacturing or industrial setting, preferably in polyethylene or polymer production
• Minimum of an Associate of Science (AS) degree in a scientific discipline; Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred
• English proficiency required to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedural manuals, and protocols
• Experience with ISO 9001, statistical quality control (SQC), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop teams
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., production, quality, technical)
• Knowledge of laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and data integrity standards
• Knowledge of analytical chemistry techniques, methodology, and instrumentation such as Melt Index, Density, Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy, TOC, Inductively Coupled Plasma, XRF, Ion Chromatography, etc.

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $84000 - $126000 per year. Individual pay will be based on various factors, such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, seniority, and internal equity.

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs. Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan. Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance. Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives. For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays. Additional information on Shell's US benefit programs can be found at

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You'll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You'll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together
• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead
• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself
• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase - our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents
• Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply
• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams
• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs

We'd like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world's most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we're working towards that goal, click here.

Shell in The United States

Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years, leading the sector in energy, petrochemicals and refined products. Today, we provide millions of Americans with the energy needed to heat and cool their homes and power the economy.

We operate in all 50 states, from our Deep-Water platforms in the Gulf of America to the Pennsylvania Chemicals complex and our miles of pipelines throughout the US.

We reach our customers through our 13,000 branded retail stations, and we are number 1 in gasoline sales. We also own the #1 brand of motor oil in the U.S. - Pennzoil® - made from natural gas.

We are excited to play a key role in the move to net carbon emissions while providing the oil and gas needed by society for many decades to come.

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DISCLAIMER:

Please note: We occasionally amend or withdraw Shell jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. Before applying, you are advised to read our data protection policy. This policy describes the processing that may be associated with your personal data and informs you that your personal data may be transferred to Shell/Shell Group companies around the world. The Shell Group and its approved recruitment consultants will never ask you for a fee to process or consider your application for a career with Shell. Anyone who demands such a fee is not an authorised Shell representative and you are strongly advised to refuse any such demand. Shell participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability. As a US Federal Contractor, hiring selections are subject to periodic audit review and documentation of your selections should be maintained for a period of three calendar years. It is the policy of Shell in the U.S. ("Shell") to provide equal opportunity to all individuals, employees and all qualified applicants for employment consistent with employment requirements and qualifications. Shell prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. All employees are expected to support this policy and contribute to an environment of equal opportunity. If you need an accommodation for a disability during the resourcing process, please speak with an HR representative.