Lab Manager, Sensor R&D

CTI • Columbia, MO

4d

About The Position

Calibration Technologies is seeking a Lab Manager to lead development of its next-generation electrochemical gas sensor and support daily sensor production. The role combines technical leadership, laboratory management, sensor research and development, and manufacturing support.

The Lab Manager oversees laboratory operations and testing, including gas sensor testing and calibration, monitoring equipment, specialty gas testing protocols, analytical equipment, and sensor testing chambers. The position also manages data integrity and reporting, enforces safety and regulatory compliance, and directs staff, inventory, procurement, and operational budgets in collaboration with the Director of Product Development.

For production support, the role leads formal transfers of new or changed cell processes into Production and serves as the sustaining technical authority for released processes. It owns cell chemistry, materials, build recipes, process parameters, work-instruction technical content, cell acceptance limits, disposition of marginal or out-of-family cells, root-cause investigations, and qualification of materials, suppliers, and lots.

Work takes place across office, laboratory, and manufacturing environments, with occasional supplier visits, field testing, or industry engagement. The position may involve controlled exposure to gases or chemicals, use of PPE, and competing priorities and deadlines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3 to 5 years of laboratory management experience; experience involving instrumentation, gas analysis, or electronic/chemical sensor testing is preferred.
• Familiarity with gas distribution systems, sensor response validation, data acquisition software, and quality control standards.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience working in an ISO-style Quality System.
• Ability to remain stationary or sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work.
• Ability to use hands and fingers to operate a computer, tools, and testing equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and external partners.
• Ability to occasionally move about laboratory, manufacturing, and office environments.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to inspect and handle small components and instrumentation used in sensor testing and prototyping.
• Ability to travel occasionally, typically less than 10–20%, for supplier visits, testing, or industry engagement.

Nice To Haves

• Laboratory management experience involving instrumentation, gas analysis, or electronic/chemical sensor testing.

Responsibilities

• Develop new sensor specifications in collaboration with the Product Manager and commercial team.
• Create development timelines, project budgets, and estimated sensor costs.
• Test and reverse engineer competitive sensors.
• Supervise gas sensor testing and calibration, monitoring equipment, and specialty gas testing protocols.
• Ensure the precision and reliability of analytical equipment and sensor testing chambers.
• Oversee data collection integrity, track experimental results, and report findings to project stakeholders or upper management.
• Enforce safety standards for hazardous-gas handling and compliance with OSHA, EPA, and internal chemical hygiene plans.
• Support daily sensor manufacturing to monitor quality and improve processes.
• Lead formal transfers of new or changed cell processes into Production and serve as the sustaining technical authority for released cell processes.
• Own cell chemistry, materials, build recipes, critical process parameters, and the technical content of cell work instructions.
• Define and maintain cell-level acceptance limits, including a marginal band for engineering review.
• Disposition marginal and out-of-family cells referred by Production and lead root-cause investigations into performance, yield, and drift issues.
• Qualify raw materials, suppliers, and new material lots for cell production in coordination with Quality and Purchasing.
• Lead, train, and mentor research staff, lab technicians, and students; assign daily priorities and schedules.
• Conduct annual performance reviews and handle discipline and termination in accordance with company policy.
• Manage equipment procurement, specialty gas supply inventories, and operational budgets in collaboration with the Director of Product Development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager