Research Scientist - Plastic Welding & Industrial Automation
About SPM Automation
SPM Automation develops advanced plastics-joining and custom automation solutions for leading global manufacturers. Proudly based in Windsor, Ontario, our expertise spans laser, infrared, hot plate, vibration, and ultrasonic welding - bringing together applied science, machine design, and intelligent controls to solve demanding production challenges for customers around the world.
We build more than machines - we build long-term customer partnerships. By working closely with customers to understand their products, processes, and goals, we turn complex manufacturing problems into practical innovations that improve quality, productivity, and reliability.
At SPM, you can make a direct contribution and see the results. Our researchers, designers, controls specialists, and machine builders work side by side, connecting ideas, experiments, and engineering decisions to equipment on the shop floor and performance in customers’ facilities.
As we grow, we are investing in our people and strengthening how we work by sharing knowledge, developing technical capability, and continuously improving our processes. We are looking for people who take pride in their craft, bring curiosity to difficult problems, and want to help customers and teammates succeed.
The Opportunity
Turn scientific insight into technology that works on the production floor.
We are looking for a hands-on Research Scientist who wants to do more than study a process - you want to improve it, prove it, and help put it to work. You will advance plastics-welding technologies and integrate them into intelligent, reliable industrial automation solutions.
At SPM, you will tackle challenging plastics-joining applications, including laser welding, and work directly with engineering and manufacturing colleagues to translate research into industrial solutions. Your work will connect polymer behaviour, energy delivery, joint design, sensing, and process control to the outcomes customers need: consistent welds, reliable equipment, and better manufacturing performance.
You will stay close to the full development journey - from defining the problem and designing experiments to validating results and supporting implementation. You will help shape SPM’s laser-welding product roadmap, translate customer requirements into development priorities, and advance promising technologies toward repeatable, commercially viable equipment solutions. You will also develop practical AI-enabled tools and share knowledge that strengthens the wider team.
This full-time, on-site position is based in Windsor, Ontario, and reports to the Chief of Engineering.
See Our Work
Laser-Focused on Innovation - Design Engineering
https://www.design-engineering.com/features/laser-focused-on-innovation/
Festo & SPM Automation: Designing Smarter Production Together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2p4RkEMB3Q
Key Responsibilities
Applied Research and Process Development
Plan and conduct experiments to understand and improve plastics-welding processes, including the effects of material properties, part geometry, joint design, energy input, force, displacement, and process variation.
Investigate and develop laser-welding applications, including material compatibility, energy delivery, joint design, process monitoring, and weld-quality validation.
Develop test methods, assess measurement reliability, analyze experimental data, and establish robust process windows and acceptance criteria.
Conduct feasibility studies to support customer applications and equipment proposals, documenting assumptions, technical risks, test results, and recommendations.
Process Monitoring and Technology Development
Use and develop AI-enabled tools to improve research workflows, data analysis, knowledge retrieval, and customer-facing process monitoring, selecting applications based on measurable value.
Define process requirements and control strategies, and collaborate with mechanical and controls teams to translate validated research into equipment designs, process-control methods, and machine-monitoring solutions.
Work with engineering and commercial leadership to define the product vision and development roadmap for standard laser-welding solutions, gathering and prioritizing customer, process, and equipment requirements.
Collaboration, Documentation and Knowledge Transfer
Provide technical guidance to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, controls, and manufacturing teams.
Maintain clear experimental records, technical reports, process specifications, and reusable methods.
Document technical uncertainties, experimental activities, and results, and support finance and external advisors with technical information for R&D funding submissions and reviews.
Qualifications and Experience
Required
MASc or PhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, materials engineering, chemical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related discipline, with research or applied experience relevant to polymers, joining, thermal processes, sensing, or industrial process control.
Strong grounding in polymer processing, materials behaviour, joining, heat transfer, or related manufacturing processes.
Hands-on experience with experimental equipment, instrumentation, testing, or process troubleshooting.
Willingness and ability to travel within Canada, the United States, and Mexico, representing less than 10% of working time.
Preferred
Experience with other plastics-welding methods, including infrared, hot plate, vibration, or ultrasonic welding.
What Success Looks Like
During your first year, you will be expected to:
Pilot and evaluate an agreed AI-enabled or digital improvement, demonstrating its effect on research efficiency, process understanding, or customer outcomes.
Why Join SPM?
Hands-on involvement: Stay close to experiments, equipment, engineering decisions, and implementation.
Collaborative technical teams: Work alongside experienced researchers, designers, controls specialists, and machine builders.
Position Details
Employment: Full-time, on-site
Reporting to: Chief of Engineering
Location: SPM Automation (Canada) Inc., 5445 Outer Drive, Windsor, Ontario