Job Summary :
The Engineering Lab Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the engineering lab in a manufacturing environment. This role involves managing lab personnel, coordinating product / prototype testing and validation processes, ensuring safety and quality standards, and maintaining lab equipment and resources. The Engineering Lab Manager will support product development, process improvement, and quality assurance efforts by ensuring the lab operates efficiently, effectively, and safely. In addition to the lab leadership accountabilities, this person ideally possesses a background in electrical engineering and serves as the staff contact for basic to intermediate electrical engineering needs of both products and testing equipment.
Accountability Chart Roles & Responsibilities :
- Safe, professional, and efficient operation of Engineering Lab
- Electrical, circuit, and firmware liaison on products and testing equipment
- Lead, Manage, and hold Accountable (LMA) of 1-2 direct reports conducting lab operations
Essential Functions & Tasks :
Lab Operations Management :
Plan, coordinate, and supervise day-to-day activities in the engineering lab, including equipment usage, testing schedules, and workflow.Review product test requests and develop standard test plans for repeatability and accuracy.Ensure test data is reliable, and all stakeholders are well informed of results in an expedient way.Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for lab activities and equipment maintenance.Coordinate testing and validation processes for new products, materials, and manufacturing processes.Support R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams with lab-based analysis and troubleshooting.Personnel Management :
Lead and mentor lab team, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.Assign tasks and ensure projects are completed accurately and on time with professional development in mind for your team.Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and safety within the lab.Equipment and Resource Management :
Maintain, calibrate, and upgrade lab equipment to ensure accurate testing and compliance with quality standards.Manage the lab’s inventory of supplies, tools, and spare parts, and ensure resources are available as needed.Work with vendors to procure equipment, supplies, and services.Own strategic needs and capabilities planning for lab needs based on product and market pipelineSafety / Compliance / Continuous Improvement :
Ensure lab activities meet ISO, OSHA, and industry-specific standards.Identify opportunities for improving lab efficiency, accuracy, and safety.Develop and implement process improvements and best practices for lab operations.Stay current with emerging technologies, trends, and best practices in engineering and manufacturing testing.Electrical Engineering :
Provide basic to intermediate electrical engineering assistance with firmware, circuitry and circuit board requirements.Write / develop / source basic code using Modbus, C or other programming languages that facilitate equipment, software, and energy communication.Required Qualifications :
Bachelor’s degree in engineering required, Electrical Engineering degree highly preferred.3 years of experience in either electrical engineering or engineering lab / testing role.Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).Desire to take ownership of projects, tasks, and areas of expertise.Strong experience with the use of electrical and mechanical lab equipment, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, gauges, and various other test equipment.Strong knowledge of lab equipment, testing methodologies, and quality control processes.Hands on prototyping skills and mechanical aptitude.Verbal and written communication skills.Problem-solving skills.Hands-on, collaborative work style.Ability to participate in cross-functional collaboration.Detail oriented with a focus on quality of work, execution, and follow through.Ability to multi-task and prioritize workload.Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and lab management software.Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.Preferred Qualifications :
Certifications in safety, quality management, or Lean / Six Sigma are a plus.Prior experience working with international partners in Europe (Germany, Czech, Sweden) and China is a plus.
