Lab Manager

Switch Bioworks•San Carlos, CA

7d•$101,000 - $121,000•Onsite

About The Position

Switch Bioworks is seeking an experienced, proactive, collaborative, and highly organized Lab Manager to lead laboratory operations and maintain the San Carlos facility. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for creating a safe, efficient, and well-functioning laboratory environment that allows research teams to focus on their work. The Lab Manager oversees daily operations, environmental health and safety, equipment lifecycles, purchasing and procurement, vendor relationships, and laboratory IT, and directly manages and mentors a Lab Technician. The role supports laboratory activities across molecular biology, microbiology, bioprocessing, growth rooms, and glasswasher and autoclave areas. It includes maintaining infrastructure and inventory, administering laboratory tools and systems, managing the lab budget and vendors, ensuring equipment is maintained and calibrated, and leading the site's EHS program and regulatory compliance. The Lab Manager partners with research leads and serves as the operations point of contact for an approximately 15-person R&D team. The position is full-time and on-site in San Carlos, California.

Requirements

BS or MS in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
At least 7 years of hands-on laboratory experience, primarily in industrial biotechnology.
At least 3 years in lab management or senior lab operations roles, including direct supervision of laboratory staff.
Proven experience running laboratory operations in a commercial biotech setting, with sound judgment balancing cost, speed, and compliance.
Established vendor and service-provider networks.
Deep understanding of standard molecular biology and microbiology equipment, aseptic technique, media preparation, and routine microbial workflows.
Demonstrated experience with hazardous-material handling, chemical hygiene plans, biosafety protocols, and regulatory compliance; working knowledge of Cal/OSHA requirements.
Hands-on experience owning laboratory purchasing, inventory systems, and equipment maintenance and calibration programs.
Comfort administering laboratory computers and instrument software, managing software licenses and updates, and working with an external IT provider.
Authorized to work in the United States and available to work full-time on-site in San Carlos, California.
Ability to stand for extended periods and regularly lift up to 25–40 pounds as needed for facility and equipment maintenance.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a high-growth, early-stage biotech startup environment.
Experience managing growth rooms, plant incubators, or agricultural biotechnology infrastructure.
Familiarity with vendor negotiation, procurement platforms, and LIMS/ELN integrations such as Quartzy or Benchling.
Relevant certifications such as Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP), Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer (CCHO), OSHA 30, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), or DOT Hazmat Certification.
Experience supporting a laboratory move, build-out, or rapid headcount growth.
A strong sense of ownership and accountability in creating an organized, safe, and highly functional work environment.
Calmness under pressure and the ability to troubleshoot operational and mechanical bottlenecks.

Responsibilities

Run daily laboratory operations across molecular biology, microbiology, bioprocessing, growth rooms, and glasswasher and autoclave areas.
Oversee workspace design, bench allocation, workflow optimization, and facility expansion or reconfiguration.
Standardize and implement digital tools such as LIMS, ELN, electronic inventory tracking, and equipment booking systems.
Own purchasing and procurement from requisition through receipt and payment, including vendor relations, pricing agreements, procurement software integrations, and inventory replenishment.
Maintain consumables, reagents, chemicals, and media-component inventories and set reorder points.
Manage shipping and receiving, including hazardous materials and cold-chain shipments, and coordinate dry ice, liquid nitrogen, and compressed gas supply.
Manage the laboratory operations budget, track spending, and identify cost savings through vendor negotiation, consolidation, and startup pricing programs.
Set and enforce housekeeping standards; maintain shared benches, common equipment areas, cold storage, freezers, and storage spaces; and lead periodic clean-outs and disposal of expired or unused materials.
Respond when needed to laboratory safety emergencies.
Oversee monthly laboratory floor cleaning and maintenance.
Support R&D project work as required during crunch time.
Oversee equipment installation, commissioning, preventative maintenance, calibration, and repair.
Negotiate service contracts, coordinate service technicians, and troubleshoot equipment emergencies.
Develop equipment-use, cleaning, and maintenance SOPs.
Serve as the company's EHS lead, Chemical Hygiene Officer, and Biosafety Officer, and own the San Carlos site's EHS program.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and serve as the point of contact for regulatory inspections.
Manage biological and chemical waste streams, hazardous waste manifests, and safety inspections.
Conduct safety onboarding and recurring training, maintain training records, plan for emergencies, and perform regular safety inspections and audits.
Manage the PPE program, chemical inventory and storage segregation, and routine checks of safety equipment.
Lead incident and near-miss reporting and investigation, maintain required injury and illness records, and drive corrective actions.
Directly supervise and mentor the Lab Technician, set priorities, conduct performance reviews, and define growth pathways.
Partner with scientific research leads to anticipate operational requirements for upcoming experimental pipelines.
Manage relationships with vendors, property management, and facilities contractors.
Serve as the operations point of contact for the approximately 15-person R&D team, set lab policies, and hold lab users accountable for shared-space standards.
Track and report laboratory operations metrics, including order turnaround, equipment uptime, safety inspection findings, and spending versus budget.