Justin Johnson
Saint Louis,MO
Summary
Experienced with laboratory management, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations and safety protocols. Utilizes leadership skills to guide teams through complex testing and analysis. Knowledge of quality control procedures and proficiency in enhancing laboratory efficiency.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Lab Manager / Test Engineer / Quality Manager
Unico Inc.
06.2022 - Current
- Manage full-scale R&D; testing for small-duct, high-velocity HVAC systems, including airflow, pressure, and temperature validation.
- Lead development of custom LabVIEW automation for environmental chambers, sensors, and PID-controlled tests.
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives increasing testing efficiency and accuracy.
- Established relationships with external vendors to negotiate better pricing on lab supplies without compromising quality or availability.
- Successfully completed multiple projects within tight deadlines, showcasing strong project management skills in the laboratory setting.
- Support design engineers through prototype testing and validation; manage contractors for facility upgrades.
- Mentor junior engineers and interns on system testing and instrumentation.
- Oversaw daily laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
- Developed and implemented standard operating procedures to enhance efficiency.
- Led equipment maintenance programs, minimizing downtime and improving operational reliability.
- Interviewed, hired and trained lab technicians to perform experiments and analyze results.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by staying up-to-date on industry best practices and adjusting internal policies as necessary.
Manager – Y.E.S. (Youth Exploring Science) Program
Saint Louis Science Center
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Develop and taught lessons introducing HVAC fundamentals, thermodynamics, and energy efficiency.
- Guide student projects connecting engineering principles to sustainability and design.
- Collaborate with educators to design hands-on, interactive STEM experiences.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop innovative exhibits and interactive experiences.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance visitor engagement and educational programming.
- Conducted regular training sessions for team members on new technologies and exhibit content updates.
Mechanical Design & Process Engineer (Co-Op)
Maxcess International
11.2021 - 06.2022
- Conducted time studies and process capability analyses to improve manufacturing efficiency.
- Created Value Stream Maps for 20+ product lines, identifying optimization opportunities.
- Supported design and prototyping of mechanical assemblies to improve manufacturability.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Utilized Six Sigma methodologies to streamline operations and reduce waste.
- Prepared technical documentation and reports to communicate findings and recommendations effectively.
- Evaluated new technologies and equipment upgrades to enhance overall process capabilities, ensuring market competitiveness.
- Identified bottlenecks in the production line through capacity analysis studies, increasing overall throughput rates as a result.
- Prepared scope of work documentation for use in project planning
- Analyzed data to identify trends in production and maintenance costs and developed strategies to reduce expenses.
- Monitored and optimized production processes to increase throughput and improve quality.
Manufacturing Engineer (Co-Op)
C.R. Metal Products
08.2021 - 11.2021
- Evaluated fabrication processes and coordinated production schedules for quality and efficiency.
- Assisted with cost reduction initiatives and equipment layout optimization.
- Conducted quality inspections on finished products to maintain high standards.
- Accurately interpreted blueprints and technical drawings to fabricate high-quality metal products according to specified dimensions.
- Performed routine maintenance on fabrication equipment, prolonging the life of machinery and preventing costly repairs or downtime.
- Maintained organized workstations, ensuring all tools were functional and readily available for tasks.
- Reduced material waste by optimizing cutting patterns and improving inventory management systems.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Missouri
Saint Louis, MO12.2027
Skills
- Core Engineering: Thermodynamics
- Heat Transfer
- Fluid Mechanics
- Product Design
- R&D; Testing
- Software & Tools: LabVIEW
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB
- C
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- Project Leadership
- Process Optimization
- Data Acquisition
- Lean Manufacturing
- Certifications & Training: Value Stream Mapping
- Root Cause Analysis
- LabVIEW automation
- Project management
- Standard operating procedures
- Data analysis
- HVAC fundamentals
- Training and mentoring
- Data management
- Lab equipment maintenance
- Scheduling and coordinating
Affiliations
- Leadership in Future Trades (L.I.F.T.) — Founder & Executive Director, 2023 – Present
- Founded nonprofit promoting HVAC and skilled trades education across St. Louis.
- Partner with schools and industry leaders to develop training pathways and workshops on Lean and Six Sigma.
- ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) — Student Member, since 2023
- Apply ASHRAE standards weekly in testing and design verification; active in St. Louis Chapter events.
- National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) — Member
- Recognized for leadership, academic excellence, and teamwork in engineering environments.
Timeline
Manager – Y.E.S. (Youth Exploring Science) Program
Saint Louis Science Center
08.2024 - 05.2025
Engineering Lab Manager / Test Engineer / Quality Manager
Unico Inc.
06.2022 - Current
Mechanical Design & Process Engineer (Co-Op)
Maxcess International
11.2021 - 06.2022
Manufacturing Engineer (Co-Op)
C.R. Metal Products
08.2021 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Missouri