Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor

WSP; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in Louisville, KY is seeking a Geotechnical Laboratory Supervisor to lead the daily operations of an accredited geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory. You will ensure quality, safety, and compliance with ASTM/AASHTO, client and agency requirements, and deliver accurate test results.

The role requires supervising technicians, coordinating testing priorities across soils, aggregate, and asphalt programs, and maintaining accreditation standards.

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 knowledge of ASTM, AASHTO, and quality management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day laboratory operations for soils, aggregate, and asphalt testing.
• Supervise laboratory technicians with mentoring, training, and performance support.
• Allocate workloads and monitor schedules to meet deadlines and client deliverables.
• Promote safety, quality, and continuous improvement across the lab.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee sample receipt, logging, storage, and disposition processes.
• Maintain chain-of-custody and accurate sample records.
• Manage laboratory information systems, databases, and testing records.
• Coordinate testing priorities with project managers, engineers, and field staff.
• Ensure testing aligns with ASTM and AASHTO specifications and accreditation standards.
• Support calibration, maintenance, and repair programs for equipment.
• Assist with invoicing, budgeting, and resource planning.

Skills

Laboratory leadership

Quality assurance

Project coordination

Communication skills

LIMS proficiency

Report writing

Safety culture

Education

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

Certifications such as NICET, WAQTC, ICC, ACI, DOT, or equivalent

Tools

LIMS

Microsoft Office

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.