Job Title: QA & QC Lab Engineer- Japanese Bilingual

Location: On Site - Conyers, Georgia, United States

Salary: $70000-$100,000 (DOE)

Skills: Laboratory Quality Control, Bilingual Japanese/English, Chemical Analysis, ISO/IATF Compliance, Technical Leadership

About the Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing Company / The Opportunity:

Join a global leader in the Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing sector, renowned for innovation in high-performance materials for advanced industries. Our client offers the chance to drive quality excellence in a technologically sophisticated laboratory, collaborating with cross-functional teams domestically and internationally. This is an exceptional opportunity for a bilingual technical expert to play a pivotal role in upholding world-class product standards and continuous improvement initiatives within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee QC lab operations, ensuring accurate and timely testing of raw materials, intermediates, and finished dispersions.
• Review and approve laboratory test results, Certificates of Analysis (COAs), and batch release decisions.
• Ensure lab testing complies with all approved methods, specifications, and ISO/IATF 16949 quality standards.
• Investigate out-of-specifications (OOS), lead root cause analyses, and implement corrective/preventative actions.
• Support audits (internal, customer, ISO, IATF 16949, and supplier), and maintain audit readiness documentation.
• Collaborate with Production, R&D, and global teams, including direct communication with Japanese QA teams for process improvement and new product introduction.
• Develop, improve, and maintain SOPs, test methods, and QC documentation to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical guidance to lab personnel and drive continuous improvement in laboratory efficiency and quality performance.

Must-Have Skills:

• Fluency in both Japanese and English (verbal and written) for technical communication across global teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on laboratory quality control experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, especially with chemical and material performance data.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and time management abilities in a fast-paced setting.
• Experience supporting or leading internal and external quality audits (ISO/IATF 16949 preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and laboratory information/data management systems.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Experience with ERP or integrated laboratory data management systems.
• Previous work in Paint, Coating, or Adhesive manufacturing, especially Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) materials.
• Familiarity with root cause analysis methodologies and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Exposure to global or multicultural technical teams, especially Japanese corporate environments.
• Ability to train and mentor QC laboratory staff in new testing techniques or quality systems.