Lab Manager
About The Position
At BWXT’s Nuclear Operations Group, you will support mission‑critical defense manufacturing and quality operations in a highly regulated, precision‑driven environment. Our teams operate with discipline, technical rigor, and a deep commitment to safety, quality, and national‑security excellence. Whether you’re building leadership experience or bringing advanced technical expertise, BWXT offers opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact. Position Overview The Lab Manager oversees all chemical laboratory operations supporting BWXT Ordnance’s quality and production activities. This leadership role manages chemists and chemical lab technicians, ensures all analytical testing meets strict regulatory and quality standards, and maintains laboratory capability, equipment reliability, and safe work practices. The Lab Manager provides technical guidance, drives continuous improvement, and ensures the laboratory consistently supports the plant’s production, compliance, and customer‑driven requirements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific field.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience within a laboratory or technical environment.
- Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, laboratory equipment, and standard chemical testing methodologies.
- Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and team development skills.
- Strong organizational capability and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret data, identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and ensure testing accuracy.
- All candidates must be U.S. citizens.
- Selected applicants are required to successfully complete a pre-employment check and drug screening.
- The position may require the ability to obtain and maintain applicable federal eligibility requirements for access to classified/sensitive information or matter which involves an extensive criminal and financial background investigation, drug test, previous employment, and reference verifications.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in regulated industries such as defense, nuclear, aerospace, or medical device manufacturing.
- Familiarity with ISO 17025 or similar laboratory quality systems.
- Experience supporting quality audits or operating within a highly quality‑driven organization.
Responsibilities
- Provide daily leadership, direction, and coaching to chemists and technicians; maintain high-performance and safety-focused work culture.
- Manage laboratory workflow, testing priorities, and resource allocation in support of production, quality assurance, and R&D needs.
- Oversee development, validation, and maintenance of analytical methods, test procedures, and laboratory documentation.
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, safety, and quality requirements, including DU/hazardous material controls where applicable.
- Maintain training programs ensuring staff competency in analytical methods, chemical handling, equipment use, and laboratory safety.
- Oversee calibration, preventive maintenance, and performance verification of laboratory instruments and equipment.
- Lead investigations into test failures, discrepancies, and nonconforming materials; support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Drive continuous improvement in laboratory processes, accuracy, efficiency, readiness, and safety performance.
- Partner with Quality leadership to support internal and external audits, customer requirements, regulatory inspections, and site initiatives.
- Ensure proper chemical inventory, storage, labeling, housekeeping, and compliance with EHS expectations for laboratory environments.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits.
- Professional development, technical training, and leadership‑growth opportunities.
- A mission‑focused culture supporting national defense and high‑precision manufacturing.
- Opportunities for long-term career advancement within BWXT.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
