Laboratory Manager- 12 month fixed term contract

QinetiQ; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 43,200 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ in Farnborough seeks a Laboratory Manager to ensure safe and efficient operation of its research laboratories and facilities. You will coordinate facilities, equipment, contractors and day‑to‑day lab management to meet project requirements.

The role requires strong HSE knowledge, an engineering background, and excellent communication across diverse teams to drive continuous improvement and maintain security and governance compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience managing laboratory environments and facilities.
• Strong knowledge of HSE, governance and security mandates.
• Engineering background in electrical, electronic, instrumentation or chemical sciences.
• Ability to interpret regulations and advise on compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal communication across teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to rapidly understand diverse technical environments.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safe and effective operations of research laboratories and facilities.
• Coordinate facilities and equipment with customers and contractors.
• Oversee day‑to‑day management of the labs.
• Support procurement and asset management.
• Drive continuous improvement and maintain audit records.
• Ensure compliance with security, governance and regulatory obligations.

Skills

Laboratory management

HSE governance

Engineering background

Regulatory interpretation

Interpersonal communication

Adaptability

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Test equipment management

Job description

Package: £43,200 - £48,000 (salary dependent on experience) + Benefits

Role ID: SF20255

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Laboratory Manager at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with advanced technologies in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Laboratory Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring safe and effective operations of the research laboratories and associated facilities at the Farnborough site. Your duties include coordinating and deconflicting facilities and equipment with internal and external customers and contractors, and overseeing the day‑to‑day management of the labs.

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery of research‑ and project‑based facilities, ensuring efficient delivery, quality standards, appropriate cost control, and compliance with security, governance and business requirements.
• Maintain compliance with H&S, security, accreditation and audit obligations, keeping risk assessments, COSHH mandates, hazard logs, first‑aid provisions and governance documentation up to date.
• Oversee test and measurement equipment across multiple laboratories, including calibration, maintenance, PAT testing, asset tracking and life‑cycle management.
• Manage facility operations, arrange contractors for local works, ensure specialist protective equipment is available and maintained, and supervise specialist facility processes.
• Support procurement activities: raise purchase orders in line with JOSCAR and vendor controls, specify and acquire new equipment, and deliver internal change projects of variable size and complexity.
• Conduct inspections and assurance activities, maintain audit evidence, contribute to performance reviews, manage equipment and waste disposal processes, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

Essential experience of the Laboratory Manager

• Experience managing laboratory environments, controlling equipment, systems or facilities.
• Strong knowledge of HSE, governance and security mandates, with experience applying internal and external regulations.
• Engineering background with understanding of disciplines such as electrical, electronic, instrumentation or chemical sciences.
• Proven ability to interpret regulations, ensure compliance and advise on mandatory mandatory matters.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, facilitating collaboration across teams and stakeholders.
• Rapid understanding of diverse technical environments, assessing impacts on capability development and supporting improvement initiatives.

Essential qualifications for the Laboratory Manager

• Mandated mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mand