Lab Manager

Actalent; Lynnwood (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Paid PTO and Holidays

401k and Employee stock ownership plan

Job summary

Actalent in Lynnwood, WA seeks a Lab Manager to lead a geotechnical/construction materials laboratory, ensuring safe, high‑quality testing and timely delivery. The role oversees training, equipment calibration, and adherence to the company Quality program and QMS, while coordinating proposals and staffing for projects.

The candidate will have 5+ years in lab management, 3+ years leading a 4+ person team, and ACI/NICET certifications, with hands‑on experience in sieve/gradation, CBR, hydrometer,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field, or 9 years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of lab management experience in a testing environment.
• 3+ years managing a lab with 4+ staff.
• ACI and NICET certifications in Asphalt and Concrete.
• Experience with Sieve Analysis, Gradation testing, CBR, Hydrometer, concrete and aggregate testing.

Responsibilities

• Provide operating policies and procedures unique to the laboratory to ensure testing services meet quality and efficiency goals.
• Collaborate with Office Management during proposals and quotations to scope services, manpower, and pricing.
• Ensure staff are trained, supervised, and equipped for safety in office and lab.
• Supervise laboratory activities to ensure work meets client and project requirements on time.
• Ensure adherence to Quality program and QMS requirements.
• Evaluate performance and support staff development and growth.
• Oversee facility and equipment utilization and request additional resources as needed.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain clean, organized laboratory area and proper appearance.
• Assist with short-range business development activities for lab personnel.
• Manage administrative systems to prepare reports and information for clients.
• Ensure compliance with time sheets, expense reports, and PO requirements.
• Plan, recruit, and train department personnel with management support.
• Assist in annual department business plan preparation.
• Perform construction and geotechnical testing as workload requires.
• Understand project risk and follow company risk policies.
• Lead safety efforts and model a safe work environment.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring on projects.

Skills

Lab management

Team leadership

ACI certification

NICET certification

Sieve analysis

Gradation testing

CBR testing

Hydrometer testing

Concrete testing

Aggregate testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field

9 years of related experience in lieu of a degree

Job description

Job Title: Lab Manager

Job Description

Responsible for coordinating or managing the activities of a Construction or Geotechnical materials laboratory. Testing includes materials such as soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt. This role ensures that laboratory testing services are conducted safely, consistently with company quality protocols, project requirements, and delivered in a timely manner. The Lab Manager oversees training and utilization of laboratory staff, and coordinates the maintenance and cleanliness of the laboratory and testing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Provide supplemental operating policies and procedures unique to the laboratory to ensure testing services are accomplished consistent with quality protocol and efficiently.
• Collaborate with Office Management during the preparation of proposals and quotations for laboratory testing services to ensure proper scoping of services, availability of manpower, and appropriate pricing.
• Ensure laboratory personnel are properly trained, supervised, and equipped with necessary tools and equipment for their personal safety in the office and laboratory.
• Directly supervise or monitor laboratory activities to ensure work is executed on time and in accordance with client and project requirements within company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure laboratory processes and personnel adhere to the requirements of the company Quality program and the Construction Materials Quality Management System (QMS).
• Evaluate the performance of all employees within the laboratory and assist them in their professional development and growth.
• Supervise the efficient utilization of facilities and equipment assigned to the laboratory and make requests for additional equipment and facilities as needed.
• Oversee calibration and maintenance of the laboratory equipment.
• Maintain the proper organization and appearance of the laboratory area, keeping it clean and uncluttered.
• Assist the Materials and/or Geotechnical Department Manager by directing the short-range business development activities of laboratory personnel.
• Supervise the administrative systems of the laboratory to ensure reports, proposals, and information required to serve the client are properly prepared and reported.
• Ensure laboratory personnel follow company administrative policies, including time sheets, expense reports, and purchase order requirements.
• Plan, recruit, select, and provide training for department personnel with assistance from the Materials and/or Geotechnical Department Manager.
• Assist with the preparation of the annual department business plan.
• Perform construction and geotechnical related laboratory testing based on workload and staffing.
• Develop an understanding and awareness of project-related risk and be familiar with company risk policies.
• Lead safety efforts for the team and ensure adherence to safety rules and guidelines, creating and modeling a safe work environment.
• Promote continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects, monitoring quality standards and practices.

Essential Skills

• Lab management experience with no less than 5 years in a testing environment.
• At least 3 years of experience managing a lab with a team size of 4 or more.
• Certifications and 5 years experience with ACI (American Concrete Institute) and NICET, specifically in Asphalt and Concrete.
• Experience in Testing such as Sieve Analysis, Gradation Testing, CBR (California Bearing Ratio) Testing, Hydrometer Testing, concrete testing, and aggregate testing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or related field with 5 years’ experience performing laboratory tests on construction and geotechnical materials, or a minimum of 9 years’ related experience in lieu of a degree.
• A valid driver’s license with an acceptable violation history may be required.
• Certification by qualified national, regional, or state authorities (ACI, NICET, DOT) or in-house certification in areas such as concrete, aggregates, soil and rock, or road and paving materials.

Work Environment

The laboratory is based in Lynnwood, WA, with free parking onsite and easy access. The lab is connected to an office with high wall cubicles and several offices, accommodating about 35 people.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lynnwood, WA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $210000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance options - Life and disability insurance at no cost - Employee Assistance Program and well-being resources covering physical, mental, financial, career, social, and community wellness - PTO, Paid Holidays, Parental Leave and compassionate leave program - 401k 60% of the first 7% of employee deferrals - Employee stock ownership plan - Annual opportunities to purchase Terracon stock

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lynnwood,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.