R&D Lab Operations Specialist

High Tech Campus Eindhoven; Eindhoven; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

KRUSH Labs is seeking an R&D Lab Operations Specialist to establish, manage, and continuously improve the laboratory environment. You will set up workstations, testing areas, and storage facilities, ensuring components and tools are available and well maintained.

You will work with engineering teams to forecast needs, implement inventory systems, and maintain SOPs for access, maintenance, safety, and procurement. This hands-on role requires ownership and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Technical Operations or related field.
• 3–5 years of relevant lab operations experience in physics, electronics, engineering or prototype labs.
• Hands-on, organized, and detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Set up and maintain R&D laboratory space, workstations, testing areas, equipment and storage facilities.
• Forecast requirements with engineering teams to ensure timely availability of components, tools and equipment.
• Implement and maintain a structured inventory system including stock levels and locations.
• Develop and maintain a searchable component catalogue with part numbers, specs, datasheets, suppliers and stock.
• Establish labelling, storage, handling and traceability standards for ESD-sensitive and hazardous items.
• Define minimum stock levels, reorder points and replenishment processes.
• Develop SOPs for lab access, equipment use, inventory management, maintenance and safety.
• Coordinate sourcing and procurement of components, tools and consumables; evaluate suppliers and track orders.
• Plan and monitor the lab budget, forecast expenditures and align purchases with budgets and priorities.
• Maintain asset register and coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Promote a safe, organized and efficient laboratory through inspections and documentation.

Skills

Hands-on

Organized

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Communication

Prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

ERP / inventory management systems

Job description

R&D Lab Operations Specialist at KRUSH Labs is a hands-on role focused on establishing and managing an R&D laboratory. Responsibilities include lab setup, inventory control, component cataloguing, procurement, equipment maintenance, SOP development, and budget oversight. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of lab operations experience, strong technical and organizational skills, and the ability to support engineering teams in prototype development

KRUSH Labs is seeking a hands-on and highly organized R&D Lab Operations Specialist to establish, manage, and continuously improve our laboratory environment.

Working closely with our engineering teams, you will ensure that the components, tools, equipment, and facilities required for prototype development and testing are available, well organized, and properly maintained.

You will take ownership of laboratory operations, including lab setup, inventory control, component cataloguing, storage and handling standards, stock replenishment, SOP development, equipment maintenance, and technical procurement.

Why Join KRUSH Labs?

At KRUSH Labs, we turn ambitious ideas into practical, high-performance solutions. We bridge the gap between theoretical research and real-world applications by addressing specific client challenges.

You will work alongside talented engineers, researchers, and PhD scientists who are passionate about innovation and creating meaningful impact. This role offers the opportunity to shape our R&D laboratory, introduce new ways of working, and directly support the development of advanced technologies.

Your Key Responsibilities

As our R&D Lab Operations Specialist, you will:

• Set up, organize, and continuously improve the R&D laboratory, including workstations, testing areas, equipment, and storage facilities.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to forecast requirements and ensure the timely availability of components, tools, and equipment for prototype development and testing.
• Implement a structured inventory system to track the quantity, condition, usage, and location of components, equipment, tools, and consumables.
• Develop and maintain a searchable component catalogue containing part numbers, specifications, datasheets, suppliers, stock levels, and storage locations.
• Establish clear labelling, storage, handling, and traceability standards, including appropriate controls for ESD-sensitive, hazardous, and high-value items.
• Define minimum stock levels, reorder points, and replenishment processes to prevent shortages of critical components.
• Develop and maintain SOPs for laboratory access, equipment use, component handling, inventory management, maintenance, calibration, safety, and waste disposal.
• Manage the sourcing and procurement of components, equipment, tools, and consumables, including supplier evaluation, quotation comparison, order tracking, and alternative sourcing.
• Plan and monitor the laboratory budget in collaboration with the Managing Director, including forecasting upcoming expenditures, prioritizing lab investments, tracking monthly spending, and ensuring purchases remain aligned with approved budgets and R&D priorities.
• Maintain the equipment and asset register and coordinate preventive maintenance, calibration, servicing, inspections, and repairs.
• Promote a safe, organized, and efficient laboratory through regular inspections, user guidance, accurate documentation, and continuous improvement.

Who You Are

• You have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent technical qualification in Engineering, Technical Operations, or a related field.
• You bring approximately 3-5 years of relevant experience in a physics, electronics, engineering, or prototype laboratory within a university, research institute, or technology company. Candidates with comparable hands-on experience are also encouraged to apply.
• You have practical knowledge of electronic and mechanical components and can work with technical specifications, datasheets, drawings, and bills of materials.
• You have experience with laboratory setup, inventory management, component cataloguing, asset tracking, stock replenishment, and ERP or inventory management systems.
• You understand SOP development, ESD controls, safe-storage practices, equipment maintenance, calibration, and technical procurement.
• You are hands-on, organized, and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving, communication, and prioritization skills.
• You take ownership of your work and collaborate effectively with engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Experience in robotics, aerospace, unmanned systems, or hardware R&D is an advantage but not essential.