Laboratory Manager Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Laboratory Coordinator IV: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years of related experience
• Senior Laboratory Coordinator: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience. Five years of related experience
• Laboratory Manager: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience. Six years of related experience
• Strong knowledge of laboratory safety practices and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Background in project-based learning environments or makerspaces.
• Familiarity with budget management and equipment procurement processes.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields
• Hands-on experience with materials processing, fabrication, and testing equipment.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations or technical facilities.
• Experience training and supervising students or technical staff.
• Experience with metal and polymer additive manufacturing systems.
• Experience with CNC machining and desktop characterization tools.
• Experience coordinating industry-sponsored educational projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of The Crucible, including scheduling, equipment availability, and user access management.
• Manage, support, maintain and help develop safe operation of materials synthesis and processing equipment including melting and casting furnaces, polymer processing equipment, forging tools, rolling systems, metal and polymer 3D printers, and benchtop galvanizing modules. A strong candidate may bring depth in some areas and be trained into additional tools as the facility develops.
• Oversee sample preparation and characterization equipment, including CNC milling machines, hardness testers, optical microscopes, desktop SEM, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Establish and enforce comprehensive laboratory safety protocols in compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Develop and deliver mandatory safety and equipment training programs; certify students and staff to operate equipment where safety hazards exist.
• Support faculty in designing experimental setups and hands-on instructional modules for coursework, capstone design, honors projects, and Engineering X initiatives.
• Coordinate industry-sponsored projects, hackathons, and design competitions hosted within The Crucible.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the Hot-Dip Galvanizing & Coatings Modules, including zinc hot-dip systems, pretreatment stations, and others.
• Manage procurement of equipment, consumables, and maintenance contracts; monitor budget and ensure efficient resource utilization.
• Maintain inventory control, calibration schedules, preventive maintenance logs, and documentation for compliance and accreditation.
• Assist in planning future expansion of The Crucible, including proposal writing, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors to ensure alignment of lab activities with academic objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental educational and research missions.

Benefits

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.