Role Summary
Mission for this role is safe, efficient, and effective operation of the Thermal Management Development and Test Lab. This role ensures the lab is well‑organized, properly equipped, and capable of supporting high‑quality development and validation testing. The Lab Manager will oversee day‑to‑day lab operations, manage lab personnel, coordinate test scheduling, and work closely with New Product Introduction (NPI) teams and sustaining engineering teams to prioritize and execute testing activities. A strong focus on safety, data integrity, and continuous improvement is essential.
Key Responsibilities
Lab Safety & Compliance
- Ensure safety remain paramount in the design and operation of the laboratory
- Ensure all lab activities comply with company safety policies, applicable regulations, and best practices.
- Develop, document, and enforce lab safety procedures, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Conduct regular safety inspections, audits, and incident reviews, and drive corrective actions as needed.
- Ensure proper training and certification of lab personnel for equipment and test procedures.
Lab Operations, Layout & Organization
- Lead the layout, organization, and continuous improvement of the lab to maximize efficiency, safety, and workflow.
- Establish and maintain standards for lab cleanliness, tool storage, material handling, and test setup organization.
- Support lab expansion, reconfiguration, or new capability build‑outs as programs evolve.
Equipment & Asset Management
- Ensure all required lab equipment, instrumentation, fixtures, and tools are available to support planned testing.
- Own calibration programs for lab equipment, ensuring traceability and compliance with internal and external standards.
- Manage equipment maintenance, repair, upgrades, and replacement planning.
- Coordinate procurement of new equipment and consumables in collaboration with engineering, facilities, and procurement teams.
Test Execution & Data Quality
- Support the development and execution of robust testing processes for pipe thermal management systems.
- Ensure test procedures are well‑documented, repeatable, and aligned with engineering requirements.
- Oversee accurate data collection, data integrity, and proper documentation of test results.
- Work with engineers to troubleshoot test issues and improve test methods and reliability.
- Promote best practices for experimental design, measurement accuracy, and data management.
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Directly manage at least one Lab Technician, including task assignment, coaching, training, and performance feedback.
- Provide hands‑on technical guidance to lab personnel as needed.
- Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high‑performing lab team.
Test Scheduling & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Coordinate and schedule lab tests to optimize utilization of lab resources and equipment.
- Partner with NPI and sustaining teams to understand priorities, timelines, and testing needs.
- Balance competing demands across development, validation, and sustaining programs.
- Communicate test status, risks, and constraints clearly to stakeholders.
Qualifications
- Bachelor or Master degree in a science/engineering field or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline
- Relevant previous experience (5+ yrs)
- Demonstrated experience managing lab operations, equipment, and safety programs.
- Strong understanding of calibration, measurement systems, and data quality principles
- Experience supervising or leading technical staff
- Hands‑on experience with thermal testing, fluid systems, piping systems, or related hardware is a plus
- Experience in improving and designing lab layouts, test stations, and workflows
- Strong understanding of scientific method and designing experiments
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to manage schedules and report on progress of plans
- Fluent spoken and written English is essential
- Ability to estimate work effort and provide estimates
- Excellent team player that can communicate and navigate diverse teams required
Benefits
- Culture of trust and accountability
- Lifelong learning and career growth
- Innovation powered by people
- Comprehensive compensation and benefits
- Health and well‑being
Location
This role requires you to work on‑site at our Product Company in Clevedon, UK. You will be part of a dynamic team and enjoy the benefits of face‑to‑face collaboration.
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