Instructional Lab Supervisor

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Holiday pay

Insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Training & development

Job summary

Washington State University’s School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering in Pullman seeks an Instructional Lab Supervisor to lead and manage the collaborative laboratories that support instruction, research, fabrication, and service-center activities.

You will develop and modernize equipment, oversee safety programs, coordinate with faculty, supervise staff and student employees, and ensure compliance while fostering inclusion, innovation, and student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline with 3 years of related experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Two years of supervisory or lead experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and modernize laboratory equipment, materials, technologies, and facilities.
• Manage laboratory operations and oversight of instructional and service-center activities.
• Implement safety programs and training for staff and students.
• Provide leadership for laboratory staff and student employees, and establish policies and procedures.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Lab management

Safety standards knowledge

Budget/Service center experience

Machining/Fabrication experience

Instruction support

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

Master's degree substitution (1 year)

Two years supervisory or lead experience

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: August 31, 2026 If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s): 1128-YN_ADMINPRO - Instructional Lab Supervisor Business Title: Instructional Lab Supervisor Employee Type: Admin.

The Opportunity:

The School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) is committed to advancing engineering education and research through hands-on learning, innovation, and discovery. Our instructional and research laboratories provide students, faculty, and industry partners with the facilities and technical resources needed to solve complex engineering challenges. Join a collaborative team dedicated to fostering excellence, safety, innovation, and student success while supporting the future of engineering at Washington State University (WSU).

As the Instructional Lab Supervisor, you will be responsible for leadership and management of the Mechanical and Materials Engineering instructional, research, fabrication, and service-center laboratories located in Pullman, WA, under the direction of the School Director. The laboratories serve the WSU community by providing facilities that support instruction, research, fabrication, testing, and hands-on learning experiences.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• the development, maintenance, and modernization of laboratory equipment, materials, technologies, and facilities
• management of laboratory operations
• implementation of safety programs and training
• oversight of instructional and service-center activities

You will provide leadership for laboratory staff and student employees, develop policies and procedures, and establish accountable practices that support safe and efficient laboratory operations.

You will coordinate with faculty to support laboratory-based curriculum, assist in instruction of laboratory courses, and provide training and technical guidance for students, faculty, and staff in the safe and effective use of laboratory and fabrication equipment.

Additionally, you will oversee the Cougar Shop and service-center operations, including fabrication support, customer coordination, equipment utilization, and service-center billing activities.

The expectation is to foster an environment with a high level of inclusiveness, student engagement, responsibility, innovation, and safety while supporting the instructional, research, outreach, and service missions of the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible. Monthly Salary: $4,508.70 - $6,763.06 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts
• training and development
• employee tuition waiver

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, and three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the discipline.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Two (2) years of supervisory or lead experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing academic or research laboratories.
• Experience with machining, fabrication, or instrumentation.
• Experience supporting engineering instruction.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety standards.
• Experience managing budgets or service center operations.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department - School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering website

Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture Department Name: School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Location: Pullman, WA

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time Position Term: 12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both. More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

WSU is Washington's land-grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. See here for additional information about WSU's statewide locations.

WSU is Washington's land-grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. See here for additional information about WSU's statewide locations.