Infrastructure Operations Manager

Do you enjoy helping researchers transform innovative ideas into world-class laboratory environments?

Are you passionate about collaborating with scientists, engineers, architects, and construction professionals to solve complex infrastructure challenges?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where every project presents unique technical requirements and opportunities to make a lasting impact?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

The Research and Exploratory Development Department (REDD) is seeking an Infrastructure Operations Manager to serve as the Department's primary representative for large scale laboratory infrastructure and facility projects and partner with technical staff, program teams, and APL enterprise service departments to plan, coordinate, and deliver laboratory and infrastructure projects that enable cutting-edge research.

The IOM will work alongside Business, Construction, and Facilities Department (BCFD) Project Managers, serving as REDD's operational representative throughout the project lifecycle, helping define project requirements, coordinate stakeholders, facilitate communication, resolve issues, and ensure completed projects successfully support research objectives.

As an Infrastructure Operations Manager (IOM) ...

• Serve as REDD's primary representative for complex laboratory infrastructure and facility projects throughout planning, design, construction, occupancy, and project closeout, ensuring the successful realization of strategic research capabilities.
• Partner with BCFD Project Managers, architects, engineers, contractors, enterprise service departments, and research teams to support the successful delivery of complex laboratory and infrastructure projects. Serve as REDD's primary representative to BCFD and other enterprise departments, and prepare and deliver executive and sponsor-level briefings on project status, risks, and execution.
• Lead cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, program staff, and enterprise partners to translate technical requirements into practical facility solutions while supporting long-range planning for sponsor-funded laboratory capabilities and engaging early during proposal development to identify infrastructure requirements.
• Coordinate and communicate across organizations through planning, programming, budgeting, design, procurement, construction, equipment installation, commissioning, occupancy, and closeout.
• Review facility designs, laboratory layouts, equipment installations, and construction documentation to ensure technical, operational, research, safety, and readiness requirements are incorporated. Partner with the BCFD Project Manager to monitor scope, schedule, budget, risks, milestones, and operational impacts, proactively identifying and resolving issues as they arise.
• Develop strong partnerships across REDD and APL while serving as a trusted advisor on REDD laboratory infrastructure planning and project execution.
• Support program-driven, indirect, and capital infrastructure initiatives.
• Manage multiple concurrent infrastructure projects while balancing competing priorities, stakeholder needs, and operational impacts.
• Coordinate laboratory moves, renovations, and construction activities to minimize operational impacts and enable continued research execution.
• Partner with Department leadership to identify future laboratory and infrastructure needs, and support long-range facility strategies.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Facilities Management, Project Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Have 6+ years of experience supporting complex laboratory, infrastructure, engineering, research, or capital projects.
• Have experience leading strategic infrastructure initiatives from concept and vision through planning, design, execution, commissioning, and operational transition.
• Demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build consensus across technical, operational, and enterprise organizations. Have experience preparing and delivering executive-level briefings and coordinating with senior technical and organizational leadership.
• Have proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Project (or equivalent).
• Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience supporting infrastructure, laboratory, or capital projects within a government, defense, or national security environment.

• Have experience supporting laboratory, research, cleanroom, manufacturing, or other technically complex facilities.

• Have experience with project financial planning, forecasting, and capital budgeting.

• Have familiarity with facility planning, laboratory operations, and enterprise project delivery.

• Have a Master's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please View email address on click.appcast.io.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.