Lab Manager

Description


Company is seeking a hands-on Lab Manager to lead a team of approximately 6-7 employees and oversee daily optical production operations.

This is a player/coach role combining people leadership, production management, and hands-on equipment troubleshooting. The Lab Manager will be the primary person responsible for diagnosing and resolving equipment issues, performing routine maintenance, and keeping production moving.

Previous optical industry experience is not required. The company is willing to teach optical processes and equipment to someone who brings strong mechanical/technical aptitude, hands-on troubleshooting experience, leadership ability, and a willingness to learn.

The long-term goal is for this individual to take full ownership of daily lab operations and run the facility independently.
Responsibilities

• Lead, train, and develop a team of approximately 6-7 employees.
• Oversee daily production, workflow, quality, and productivity.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on optical production equipment.
• Serve as the primary hands-on troubleshooter when equipment goes down.
• Interpret equipment error codes and systematically diagnose mechanical and technical problems.
• Repair equipment and replace components when issues can be resolved internally.
• Contact equipment manufacturers for technical support when necessary.
• Support equipment including the ART Blocker, Orbit 2 Generator, Multi-Flex Polisher, 54R backside equipment, ART D-Blocker, 380X AR coating machine, and automated surfacing line.
• Minimize equipment downtime and keep production operating efficiently.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and productive laboratory environment.
• Learn the optical manufacturing process and ultimately assume independent responsibility for daily lab operations.

Must-Have Skills and Experience

• Previous leadership experience supervising, directing, or training others.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing equipment or machinery.
• Preventive and corrective maintenance experience.
• Ability to interpret equipment errors and systematically diagnose problems.
• Comfortable replacing components and performing hands-on repairs.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to balance team leadership with hands-on technical responsibilities.
• Self-directed and capable of operating independently.

Nice-to-Have Skills and Experience

• Optical laboratory or optical manufacturing experience.
• Manufacturing, production, maintenance, or technical operations experience.
• Electromechanical equipment troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with automated production equipment, motors, sensors, pneumatics, or mechanical assemblies.
• Previous experience as a Maintenance Supervisor, Production Supervisor, Lead Technician, Work Center Supervisor, or similar technical leader.
• Military technical leadership experience involving equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and operational readiness.