Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor

WSP in the U.S.; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA seeks a Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor in Louisville, KY to lead a geotechnical/construction materials testing lab, drive quality, safety, and accreditation adherence, and manage daily operations.

You will oversee testing programs, supervise technicians, coordinate scheduling, and ensure timely client deliverables while upholding ASTM/AASHTO standards and quality management requirements. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Geotechnical testing

Soil testing

Quality management systems

ASTM/AASHTO knowledge

LIMS

Project management

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or Geology

Tools

LIMS software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

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.

About WSP

ABOUT US

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.