Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager

Super Fab Lab @ UNC-C; Brevard (NC); On-site; USD 99,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Charlotte is seeking a Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager to lead lab operations and the essential link between the university, the Division of Research, and the North Tryon Tech Hub.

Responsibilities include overseeing building operations, digital infrastructure, and collaboration with industry partners to advance AI-driven research and digital engineering projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Systems Engineering, IT, or related field.
• At least two years of experience in lab operations, research management, or facility coordination.
• Equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.

Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight: manage daily activities of labs and classrooms for 24/7 readiness.
• Building Liaison: coordinate with Facilities Management for high-capacity power, cooling, and networking.
• Space & Access Management: oversee lab and office assignments; manage security protocols.
• Inventory & Security: maintain equipment records and licenses for digital engineering assets.
• Outreach: organize tours and demonstrations of Digital Twin models and AI research.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS / Systems Engineering / Information Technology / related engineering field

2+ years in lab operations / facility coordination

Equivalent combination of education and related experience

Tools

Archibus

Job description

General Information

Position Number 001967 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Working Title Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty Employment Type Permanent - Full-time Months per Year 12 Work Schedule

8:00 am – 5:00 pm; Monday – Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

Hours per week 40 FLSA Status Exempt Division Research Department Div of Research (Adm) Work Location Brevard Street Building Salary Range $98,748 - $120,000 Primary Purpose of Department

The Office of Research Protections and Integrity (ORPI) is part of the Division of Research. It provides oversight, education, and support for integrity and compliance issues related to research and certain University operations at UNC Charlotte. The office ensures compliance with federal, state, and local applicable policies and laws on human subjects research, animal subjects research, biosafety, conflict of interest and commitment, research misconduct, responsible conduct of research, export control, and research security.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager provides operational leadership for the lab and facility. This role is the primary technical and administrative lead for the facility and serves as the essential link between the University, Division of Research, and the North Tryon Tech Hub. The position focuses on managing sophisticated research environments, overseeing building operations, and facilitating technical engagement with industry partners and regional initiatives. The manager has direct responsibility for the facility, including the digital infrastructure required for modern engineering workflows, and holds master key access to secure areas.

• Research Lab Facility & Building Operations – 50%
• Technical Innovation & Support – 20%
• Planning and Organizing Work – 10%
• Administrative & Fiscal Management – 20%

Summary of Position Responsibilities

Research Lab Facility & Building Operations

• Operational Oversight: Manage daily activities of all classrooms, labs, and specialized structures, ensuring 24/7 operational readiness for sensitive data, AI workloads, and Digital Engineering simulations.
• Building Liaison: Act as the lead coordinator and liaison to University Facilities Management for all building/lab infrastructure needs, including high-capacity power, specialized cooling for AI clusters, and high-bandwidth data networking.
• Space & Access Management: Oversee all lab and office assignments; manage advanced security protocols and building access for faculty and industry collaborators using systems like Archibus.
• Inventory & Security: Serve as the primary inventory manager for all equipment; maintain records for both physical devices and virtualized assets/software licenses required for Digital Engineering.
• Outreach: Organize and direct outreach activities, including tours and demonstrations of Digital Twin models and AI-driven research for industry partners and research sponsors.

Technical Innovation & Support

• Digital Engineering Integration: Oversee the deployment and maintenance of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and collaborative digital environments that allow for the virtual design, testing, and validation of complex systems.
• Expert Troubleshooting: Oversee the maintenance and repair of complex electronic, mechanical, and data systems; provide tier-one support for Digital Engineering software suites and high-performance computing (HPC) interfaces.
• Safety & Compliance: Establish and enforce rigorous safety standards tailored to the unique risks of the lab (e.g., technical systems, high-voltage data centers, and cyber-physical security).

Planning and Organizing Work

• Strategic Planning: Assist leadership in determining long-range plans for core facilities based on strategic assessments of growth opportunities in digital transformation and AI, in alignment with the Division of Research strategic plan.
• Modernization Planning: Develop 3-year rolling plans for equipment staging, facility retrofitting, and digital toolchain upgrades to keep the Innovation Lab at the forefront of the Tech Hub’s requirements. Evaluate performance and cost options for system upgrades to maintain a “State-of-the-Art” status in virtual engineering environments.
• Safety & Security: Serve as the building liaison and safety officer, coordinating security protocols for both physical assets and intellectual property stored within the digital lab environment.

Administrative & Fiscal Management

• Budgetary Authority: Manage the overall lab operations budget and develop justifications for major capital equipment purchases and enterprise-level software subscriptions.
• Procurement & Vendor Relations: Serve as the primary contact for vendors; evaluate quotes for new equipment, cloud service providers, service contracts, delivery schedules, and specialized installations.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution, preferably in computer science, systems engineering, information technology, or a related engineering or engineering technology discipline, and
• At least two (2) years of experience in laboratory operations, research management, or facility coordination, or
• Equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Advanced Degree: Master’s or PhD in a related science or engineering field.
• Digital Engineering Expertise: Familiarity with Digital Twin technology, MBSE frameworks, or AI-augmented design workflows.
• Industry Experience: Demonstrated experience working within a technology hub or managing industry-university collaborative facilities.
• Strategic Planning: Ability to align facility operations with the broader goals of the North Tryon Tech Hub and regional economic development.
• Advanced Lab Management: Expertise in managing resources, assets, inventory, budget, preventative maintenance, service contracts, complex workflows, and quality assurance programs.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of computer infrastructure, network, and security (e.g., NIST, ISO standards).

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

N/A

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

N/A

Special Notes to Applicants

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Posting Open Date 06/12/2026 Posting Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Proposed Hire Date 08/03/2026 If time-limited please indicate appointment end date Contact Information