Manager, Engineering Education Laboratories

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

2d•$90,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Manager, Engineering Education Laboratories provides comprehensive operational, administrative, instructional, and programmatic leadership for the Department of Engineering Education's undergraduate laboratories and project-based learning environments. The role leads strategic and day-to-day management of instructional and experiential learning spaces, including the Frith First-Year Maker Space, Interdisciplinary Education Lab, inVenTs Design Studio, and related laboratory resources. The Manager ensures that facilities, equipment, personnel, instructional resources, technology, safety protocols, and operational processes support undergraduate engineering education, interdisciplinary project-based learning, student engagement, and faculty-led educational activities. The position also contributes to student success, program improvement and assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Manager recruits, selects, trains, supervises, schedules, coaches, and evaluates laboratory assistants, graduate students, and other laboratory personnel. They establish operational priorities, assign work based on employee capabilities and program needs, and implement processes that ensure continuity of laboratory services. The position develops, monitors, and delivers equipment and laboratory training for personnel, and serves as the primary departmental liaison with Environmental Health and Safety, facilities personnel, equipment suppliers, and University partners to ensure operations meet departmental needs and comply with applicable policies and procedures. The Manager handles purchasing, inventory, equipment maintenance, asset tracking, service agreements, and resource planning in coordination with the department business office. They evaluate laboratory needs and recommend equipment, technology, space, staffing, and resource allocations, while staying current on equipment and technologies available for laboratory applications. The role represents the Department of Engineering Education in interactions with College and University stakeholders, relevant committees, industry representatives, donors, and students.

Requirements

Master's degree in engineering, technology, science, or a related discipline; or a bachelor's degree with experience equivalent to a master's degree.
Significant experience managing or coordinating complex laboratory, maker-space, instructional, technical, or other hands-on educational operations.
Demonstrated experience supervising, training, scheduling, and/or developing student or professional employees.
Demonstrated experience managing equipment, materials, inventory, purchasing, or operational record keeping.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement operational procedures, training protocols, and safety practices.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities simultaneously.
Demonstrated success applying a high level of organizational skills in a large technical environment.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, solve problems, and make operational recommendations.
Experience with 3D printing, CAD, prototyping, or related engineering technologies.

Nice To Haves

Experience operating equipment for machining, fabrication, electronics, or similar systems.
Experience with laboratory information systems, learning management systems, hardware/data networks, or related technology.
Experience with vendor negotiation and resource planning.
Experience developing, documenting, or supporting educational programs, laboratory exercises, training materials, or experiential learning opportunities.
Experience building partnerships across departments, colleges, industry, or external organizations.
Working knowledge of Virginia Tech or other higher education administrative systems and policies.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic and day-to-day operations of the department's undergraduate laboratories and project-based learning spaces.
Ensure facilities, equipment, personnel, instructional resources, technology, safety protocols, and processes support educational and program objectives.
Recruit, select, train, supervise, schedule, coach, and evaluate laboratory assistants, graduate students, and other laboratory personnel.
Establish operational priorities, assign work, and implement processes to maintain continuity of laboratory services.
Develop, monitor, and deliver equipment and laboratory training for personnel.
Serve as the primary departmental liaison with Environmental Health and Safety, facilities personnel, equipment suppliers, and University partners.
Manage purchasing, inventory, equipment maintenance, asset tracking, service agreements, and resource planning in coordination with the department business office.
Evaluate laboratory needs and recommend equipment, technology, space, staffing, and resource allocations.
Stay current on equipment and technologies available for laboratory applications.
Contribute to student success, program improvement and assessment, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Represent the Department of Engineering Education with College and University stakeholders, committees, industry representatives, donors, and students.