Laboratory Manager

QinetiQ Limited; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched pension with life assurance

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Employee discount portal

Armed Forces support

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ Farnborough is seeking a Laboratory Manager to oversee safe, efficient operation of multiple laboratories and facilities on site. You will coordinate and deconflict facilities and equipment with internal and external customers and contractors.

The role requires strong HSE governance understanding, an engineering background, and practical guidance on compliance. You will drive continuous improvement, manage test equipment lifecycle, and support procurement while ensuring quality and

Qualifications

• Industry-relevant qualifications such as Apprenticeship, City & Guilds, BTEC or Foundation Degree.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate facilities and equipment with customers and contractors.
• Deliver project-based facilities meeting quality, cost and governance requirements.
• Maintain HSE, security, accreditation, audit docs and risk assessments.
• Oversee calibration, maintenance, PAT testing and asset tracking of equipment.
• Procure equipment and manage vendor changes using JOSCAR and controls.
• Conduct inspections, audits and drive continuous improvement across the facility.

Skills

Laboratory management

HSE compliance

Engineering background

Regulatory interpretation

Stakeholder collaboration

Continuous improvement

Education

Industry-relevant technical qualifications (Apprenticeship / City & Guilds / BTEC / Foundation Degree)

Job description

Overview

As a Laboratory Manager at QinetiQ Farnborough, you will create and maintain safe and effective operations of several laboratories and facilities at our site.

The Role

Day-to-day, you’ll coordinate and deconflict facilities and equipment with internal and external customers and contractors.

Your responsibilities will include

• Supporting the delivery of research and project-based facilities, ensuring efficient delivery, quality, cost control while meeting security, governance and business requirements.
• Maintaining compliance with H&S, security, accreditation and audit requirements, keeping risk assessments, COSHH assessments, hazard logs, first aid provisions and governance documentation up to date.
• Overseeing test and measurement equipment across multiple laboratories, including calibration, maintenance, PAT testing, asset tracking and lifecycle management.
• Managing facility operations, arranging contractors for local works, ensuring specialist protective equipment is available and maintained, and overseeing specialist facility processes.
• Supporting procurement activities: raising purchase orders in line with JOSCAR and vendor controls, specifying and acquiring new equipment, and delivering internal change projects of varying size and complexity.
• Conducting inspections and assurance activities, maintaining audit evidence, contributing to performance reviews, managing equipment and waste disposal processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

Essential experience of the Laboratory Manager

• Experience working within a laboratory environment managing equipment, systems or facilities.
• Strong knowledge of HSE, governance and security requirements, applying internal and external regulations.
• Engineering background with a solid understanding of related disciplines such as electrical, electronic, instrumentation or chemical sciences.
• Proven ability to interpret regulations, ensure compliance and provide practical guidance on HSE matters.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, collaborating across teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to quickly understand diverse technical environments, assess their impact on capability development, and support ongoing improvement.

Essential qualifications for the Laboratory Manager

• Industry-relevant technical qualifications such as a recognised Apprenticeship, City and Guilds, BTEC or Foundation Degree.

Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and more.
• Support for the Armed Forces community, maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering opportunities to help charities and the local community.

Eligibility and EEO Statement

All applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.