Engineering Lab Operations Manager

matrixresearch; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Competitive benefits

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

Matrix Research seeks an experienced Prototyping Labs & Fabrication Manager in Dayton, Ohio to lead our fabrication, electronics assembly, and unmanned flight-testing facilities. You will supervise a multidisciplinary team, manage safety and CapEx, and drive growth by marketing rapid prototyping to DoD and commercial customers.

The role requires 10+ years in mechanical design, fabrication, and lab operations, plus a mechanical engineering degree and U.S.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in mechanical design, prototyping lab ops, and business development.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain DoD security clearance.
• Experience managing lab operations, calibration, safety, and CapEx planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead fabrication labs and electronics assembly; oversee drone flight/testing facility.
• Supervise engineers and technicians, prioritize facility demand across projects.
• Market rapid prototyping and fabrication services to DoD, primes, and commercial customers.
• Manage safety, calibration, budgeting, and labor-rate planning within DoD framework.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

Prototyping lab ops

Business development

Budgeting

Safety protocols

CapEx planning

Team supervision

Project prioritization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM (SolidWorks, Inventor)

Job description

Matrix Research is currently seeking an experienced Prototyping Labs & Fabrication Manager to lead our fabrication, electronics assembly, and unmanned flight-testing facilities in Dayton, Ohio.

HOW WILL THIS POSITION CONTRIBUTE?

• Mission: Unify, modernize, and expand Matrix Research's core hardware prototyping infrastructure-leading multi-lab operations, delivering hands-on mechanical and fabrication expertise, and driving business development to secure new internal and external prototyping contracts.
• How: Supervise a dedicated team of engineers and technicians across our Mechanical Fabrication Lab, Electronics Assembly Lab, and Drone Flight/Testing Facility. Balance and schedule laboratory utilization across existing multidisciplinary contract needs while actively marketing our rapid prototyping, custom machining, and mechanical integration capabilities to external DoD, prime, and commercial customers. Oversee facility safety, equipment calibration, capital expenditure planning, and labor/service rates within our defense-compliant operational framework.

WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED?

• Required:
  • 10+ years of professional experience spanning mechanical design/fabrication, prototyping lab operations, and technical business development.
  • Hands-on background in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and rapid prototyping (e.g., CNC machining, subtractive/additive manufacturing, sheet metal, structural fixtures, and ruggedized enclosures).
  • Demonstrated success in technical capture and business development, specifically marketing fabrication, rapid-turn prototyping, or custom mechanical packaging services to external partners (DoD, defense primes, or commercial customers).
  • Experience managing laboratory or prototyping facility operations, including equipment maintenance/calibration, safety protocols, and capital expenditure (CapEx) planning.
  • Familiarity with tracking laboratory utilization, budgeting, and managing facility hourly rates (e.g., DCAA-compliant service centers).
  • Proven leadership ability to supervise a technical team (technicians, mechanical engineers, software specialists) and prioritize facility demand across multiple concurrent project commitments.
  • A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and industry certifications.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens capable of obtaining and maintaining a U.S. DoD security clearance.
• Desired or Will Train:
  • Familiarity with CAD/CAM packages (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
  • Experience integrating mechanical structures with electronic subsystems, sensor payloads, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
  • Understanding of defense contracting, SBIR/STTR proposals, Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), and DCAA rate structure compliance.
  • An active U.S. DoD security clearance.

WHO IS MATRIX RESEARCH?

Matrix Research is an employee-owned, small business advancing the state of the art in radar systems, radio frequency, and sensor exploitation technologies. Two thirds of our technical staff hold advanced degrees in Engineering, Mathematics, or the Physical Sciences. Our programs span basic research through the demonstration, test and evaluation, and low-rate production of advanced sensing systems, subsystems, and components.

WHY WORK WITH US?

• We work with a purpose: To make the world safer through the development and delivery of innovative engineering solutions.
• We work as a team: We are a collaborative company comprised of highly educated industry leaders in radar systems, image and signal processing, machine learning, hardware development, and software engineering.
• We support our employees with industry-leading benefits: As an employee-owned company, we embrace quality benefits, including a 20% no-match-required retirement plan, accrued 4 weeks of vacation annually, substantially-subsidized health and dental insurance, discretionary annual bonuses, and many more.
• We support our employees with work/life flexibility: We offer a hybrid remote work environment for most positions and hourly pay for all positions - ensuring individuals are fairly compensated for hours worked while supporting a flexible work commitment.
• We transform ideas into reality: Our programs range from groundbreaking research to field deployment of advanced systems developed in-house.

Matrix Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, veteran's status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or any other protected class set forth by federal or state law, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing compensation.

Matrix is a Drug-Free Workplace This job description is designed to provide general guidance in job tasks and is not meant to be all-inclusive of the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. As business demands and needs change, the essential functions of this position may be updated to reflect the needs of Matrix Research, Inc.