Laboratory Manager

Platform Recruitment; Oxford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Undisclosed is seeking a Lab Manager to take overall responsibility for laboratories and cleanroom facilities across three UK locations, including Oxford, Hampshire and Hertfordshire. The role is hands-on and requires experience in space or high-reliability environments, with emphasis on quality, ESD control, cleanroom practices and robust laboratory procedures.

The Lab Manager will oversee day-to-day operations, develop policies, manage calibration schedules, and support engineering teams with

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in space industry or high-reliability engineering.
• Experience in laboratory management, electrical engineering or testing electrical units for satellite applications.
• Strong hands-on engineering skills.
• Experience working in a cleanroom environment.
• Good knowledge of ESD control and related measures.
• Understanding of the space operating environment and its impact on laboratory practices.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements including COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operation of laboratories and cleanroom facilities across three UK locations.
• Develop, implement and maintain laboratory policies and procedures.
• Ensure quality control measures are in place.
• Manage and enforce ESD control measures.
• Oversee laboratory assets, allocation, tracking and maintenance.
• Coordinate equipment calibration and liaise with manufacturers.
• Maintain laboratory inventories and consumables.

Skills

Space industry experience

Laboratory management experience

Electrical engineering testing

Hands-on engineering

Cleanroom experience

ESD control knowledge

ECSS awareness

COSHH/Health & Safety knowledge

Job description

Lab Manager

Location: Oxford/Hampshire/Hertfordshire

Salary: £55-65k

My client is a leading organisation within the global space industry, developing advanced satellite systems, communications technology and space-based sensors. Due to continued growth, they are looking for an experienced Lab Manager to take overall responsibility for their laboratories and cleanroom facilities across three UK locations.

This is a hands‑on role suited to someone with experience working within the space industry or another high‑reliability engineering environment, who understands the importance of quality, ESD control, cleanroom practices and robust laboratory procedures.

The Role

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the company's laboratories and cleanroom facilities across three UK sites. This will involve ensuring the facilities, equipment and processes meet the required standards while supporting engineering teams with their testing and development activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing the day‑to‑day operation of laboratories and cleanroom facilities across three UK locations
• Developing, implementing and maintaining laboratory policies and procedures
• Ensuring appropriate quality control measures are in place
• Managing and enforcing ESD control measures
• Managing laboratory assets, including allocation, tracking and maintenance
• Managing laboratory requests and allocating space
• Coordinating equipment calibration and liaising with equipment manufacturers
• Maintaining laboratory inventories and managing consumables

Key skills required:

• 5+ years' experience within the space industry or another high‑reliability engineering environment
• Previous experience in laboratory management, electrical engineering or testing electrical units for satellite applications
• Strong hands‑on engineering skills
• Experience working within a cleanroom environment
• Good knowledge of ESD control and associated measures
• An understanding of the space operating environment and its impact on laboratory practices
• Awareness of relevant engineering standards, ideally ECSS
• Knowledge of Health & Safety requirements, including COSHH

This is an excellent opportunity to join an exciting and growing organisation at the forefront of the UK space industry, working alongside highly skilled engineering teams on next‑generation satellite and space technologies.