Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor

WSP; Louisville (TN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

WSP in Louisville, KY is seeking a Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor to lead daily operations of an accredited geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory. You will supervise technicians, ensure quality and safety, manage sample handling, and coordinate testing with project teams to meet client deliverables.

Strong leadership and ASTM/AASHTO quality systems experience are essential. The role requires 8+ years of lab testing experience and 3+ years in leadership, with a BS in a

Qualifications

• High-school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred in civil/geology/construction management or related field.
• 8+ years of laboratory testing experience in geotechnical, aggregate, asphalt, or construction materials testing.
• 3+ years in laboratory leadership, supervision, or management.
• Experience in accredited lab environments with ASTM/AASHTO quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day lab operations for soils, aggregate and asphalt testing.
• Supervise technicians, provide technical leadership and performance support.
• Coordinate workloads to meet project deadlines and client deliverables.
• Maintain safety, quality, and accreditation standards daily.
• Oversee sample receipt, storage, logging, and disposition activities.
• Maintain COC procedures, testing records, and calibration programs.
• Coordinate testing priorities with project managers and clients.
• Support invoicing, billing documentation, and resource planning.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Project management

Quality management

LIMS proficiency

Communication

Safety culture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geology, Construction Management, or related discipline

High-school diploma or GED

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

Electronic reporting systems

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor to support our Construction Materials Testing (CMT) and Geotechnical practice in our Louisville, KY office. This position will be responsible for leading the daily operations of an accredited geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with applicable ASTM, AASHTO, client, and agency requirements.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise in soils, aggregate, and asphalt testing, along with demonstrated experience supervising laboratory personnel, managing quality systems, maintaining accreditation requirements, and delivering high-quality testing results. This role requires exceptional organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while maintaining strict adherence to quality, safety, and accreditation standards.
Our laboratory is accredited through AASHTO resource and operates under a comprehensive quality management system to maintain the highest standards for testing, documentation, reporting, and equipment management.

Your Impact

• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations and workflow for soils, aggregate, and asphalt testing programs.
• Supervise laboratory technicians and provide technical leadership, mentoring, training, and performance support.
• Assign workloads and monitor schedules to ensure project deadlines and client deliverables are achieved.
• Promote and maintain a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, laboratory procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Oversee sample receipt, logging, storage, tracking, and disposition activities.
• Maintain chain-of-custody procedures and accurate sample identification records.
• Manage laboratory information systems, databases, and testing records.
• Coordinate testing priorities to support project schedules and client requirements.
• Ensure laboratory testing is performed in accordance with applicable ASTM, AASHTO, client, and agency specifications.
• Maintain compliance with AASHTO resource quality management requirements.
• Support proficiency sample programs, accreditation assessments, internal audits, and corrective action initiatives.
• Review laboratory data and reports for technical accuracy, completeness, and compliance prior to release.
• Oversee laboratory equipment calibration, verification, maintenance, and repair programs.
• Maintain calibration records and documentation required to support accreditation requirements.
  Coordinate acquisition, replacement, and maintenance of laboratory equipment and testing resources.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while monitoring priorities, budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate testing activities with project managers, engineers, field personnel, and clients.
• Support invoicing, billing documentation, and laboratory production reporting.
• Assist with proposal development, scope preparation, and laboratory resource planning efforts.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• High-school diploma or GED
• 8+ years of laboratory testing experience in geotechnical, aggregate, asphalt, or construction materials testing.
• 3+ years of laboratory leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• Experience working within an accredited laboratory environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ASTM, AASHTO, and quality management systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Proficiency with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), Microsoft Office Suite, and electronic reporting systems.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven commitment to safety, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.
• Soil Classification Testing (ASTM D2487 / D2488)
• Moisture-Density Relationships: Standard Proctor and Modified Proctor
• Grain Size Analysis / Gradation Testing
• Atterberg Limits
• Specific Gravity Testing
• California Bearing Ratio (CBR)
• Moisture Content Testing
• Soil, Aggregate, and Asphalt Sample Preparation and Processing

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Geology, Construction Management, or related discipline.
• Experience supporting AASHTO resource accreditation programs and audits.
• Participation in proficiency sample programs and laboratory quality initiatives.
• Relevant certifications such as NICET, WAQTC, ICC, ACI, DOT certifications, or equivalent agency credentials.
• Experience with laboratory budgeting, billing support, and resource planning.

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