ESL Department Manager / SME

We are an international life sciences and engineering testing organisation providing analytical and reliability testing services across multiple industries. Our work supports global clients in ensuring product safety, performance, authenticity, and regulatory compliance across sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, environmental science, advanced materials, and wireless technologies. Our organisation operates a large global network of laboratories across dozens of countries, delivering a broad portfolio of testing methods and services focused on product reliability, certification, and compliance. We are a long-established, high-performing organisation with a decentralized and entrepreneurial structure, supporting both established and emerging testing and laboratory services globally. Job Description Essential Duties and Responsibilities The role is responsible for the daily operational management of Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) and Reliability laboratories. This includes overseeing onsite engineering operations, equipment utilisation, staffing coordination, customer project execution, test scheduling, and overall operational efficiency across wireless certification and reliability programmes. This position serves as the primary onsite operational lead, ensuring successful delivery of customer projects, maintaining laboratory productivity, supporting engineering teams, and driving operational excellence across environmental and reliability testing services. Reporting Structure This role reports to the West Coast Director of Operations / General Manager. Example Responsibilities Manage day-to-day operations of Environmental and Reliability laboratory teams, ensuring efficient execution of customer projects, appropriate staffing alignment, equipment utilisation, and on-time delivery while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction. Coordinate customer timelines and operational priorities, working closely with internal teams to manage scheduling, staffing, and laboratory resources. Implement operational policies and procedures to improve efficiency, testing quality, and customer experience. Support business growth by improving laboratory utilisation, increasing throughput, supporting new service offerings, and collaborating with sales and technical teams. Develop onsite technical capability across teams in areas such as vibration testing, thermal dynamics, and electro‑mechanical systems. Build team redundancy and capability to support operational continuity. Oversee testing operations including vibration, thermal, and customer‑specific test environments. Work with vendors and suppliers to obtain quotes, coordinate equipment procurement, and maintain operational readiness for calibration, certification, and laboratory expansion. Ensure compliance with relevant accreditation standards and support audit readiness, quality initiatives, and continuous process improvement. Qualifications Required Education Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field OR 10+ years of relevant industry experience. Required Experience and Skills 5–15+ years of experience in environmental testing, design/automation, or reliability engineering environments. Ability to design, troubleshoot, and maintain electro‑mechanical systems. Subject matter expertise in environmental, vibration, thermal, or electronics testing domains. Experience developing technical plans for new products, systems, or test environments. Experience defining equipment, staffing, and training requirements. Ability to support project/program budgeting. Experience hiring, supervising, and developing technical teams. Experience leading R&D or engineering projects producing new systems or processes. Ability to perform physical tasks including standing/sitting for long periods, lifting up to ~30 lbs, climbing ladders, and using lifts or basic power tools. Authorization to work without sponsorship. Experience working cross‑functionally with engineering, operations, and commercial teams preferred. Willingness to travel between operational sites. #J-18808-Ljbffr X4 Engineering