Production Lab Manager (EWS112)

Research Innovations • Alexandria, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is seeking a committed individual to be our Production Lab Manager with the drive to solve unique and challenging problems for our Dragonfly Product Team. Our EW/SIGINT team is looking for an individual to lead efforts in prototyping, lab operations, hardware integration, test support, and field readiness. This individual will be expected to maintain an organized and efficient lab environment, oversee hardware assets, support engineering development efforts, and help drive one of RII’s most successful core values: Get s#it done.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electronics Technology, Manufacturing, or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing laboratory, prototyping, or hardware development environments.
• Experience with inventory tracking, asset management, or hardware accountability systems.
• Experience protecting sensitive hardware in harsh environments including cold, heat, and salt water.
• 3+ years of experience working with small form factor electronics.
• 3+ years of experience supporting rapid prototyping and hardware integration efforts.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of software defined radios.
• Experience with CAD modeling.
• Experience with engine, motor, and generator maintenance.
• Experience with large vehicles including towing trailers.
• Experience with prototyping equipment including 3D printing and laser cutting.
• Understanding of materials and coatings for specific applications such as durability against mechanical stress or salt water corrosion.
• Experience supporting field tests or deployed systems.
• Active U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the hardware development and prototyping lab environment.
• Maintain organized workspaces, tools, equipment, and test areas to support engineering productivity.
• Develop and enforce lab safety procedures, security protocols, and operational best practices.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and calibration schedules for lab equipment.
• Ensure lab readiness to support rapid prototyping, integration, and testing activities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to understand hardware development needs and support build activities.
• Evaluate and maintain lab equipment used for fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Support prototype assembly, cable fabrication, bench testing, and hardware troubleshooting.
• Assist with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) considerations during prototyping.
• Conduct functional testing to verify system quality and performance.
• Develop and implement hardware configuration management procedures.
• Maintain accurate documentation of hardware builds, revisions, and lab assets.
• Track engineering hardware, test equipment, and prototype inventory within the lab.
• Manage changes to configurations and maintain configuration history.
• Ensure systems are aligned with program lifecycle and customer requirements.
• Prepare systems and equipment for demonstrations, field tests, and customer events.
• Coordinate packaging, setup, and return of fielded lab equipment.
• Support engineering teams during integration events and troubleshooting efforts.
• Analyze test results and recommend improvements to hardware performance or lab processes.
• Oversee lab technicians and support personnel as required.
• Develop training materials and processes for safe and efficient lab operations.
• Establish strong communication between engineering, operations, and program teams.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across lab workflows and readiness processes.

Benefits

• flexible work schedules
• health insurance coverage
• paid time off
• 401k with a company match
• paid parental leave
• access to wellness programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees