Lab Manager - Chemistry & Quality (Nuclear)

BWX Technologies, Inc.; Jonesborough (TN); On-site; USD 115,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Professional development

Leadership-growth opportunities

Mission-focused culture

Job summary

BWX Technologies, Inc. in Tennessee seeks a Lab Manager to oversee chemical laboratory operations supporting BWXT Ordnance’s quality and production activities.

This leadership role manages chemists and chemical lab technicians, ensures all analytical testing meets strict regulatory and quality standards, and maintains laboratory capability, equipment reliability, and safe work practices. Your day-to-day involves directing staff, prioritizing testing, developing analytical methods, and ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related scientific field.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience within a laboratory or technical environment.
• Strong knowledge of analytical chemistry, laboratory equipment, and standard chemical testing methodologies.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and team development skills.
• Strong organizational capability and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret data, identify trends, troubleshoot issues, and ensure testing accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership, direction, and coaching to chemists and technicians; maintain high-performance and safety-focused work culture.
• Manage laboratory workflow, testing priorities, and resource allocation in support of production, quality assurance, and R&D needs.
• Oversee development, validation, and maintenance of analytical methods, test procedures, and laboratory documentation.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, safety, and quality requirements, including DU/hazardous material controls where applicable.
• Maintain training programs ensuring staff competency in analytical methods, chemical handling, equipment use, and laboratory safety.
• Oversee calibration, preventive maintenance, and performance verification of laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Lead investigations into test failures, discrepancies, and nonconforming materials; support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement in laboratory processes, accuracy, efficiency, readiness, and safety performance.
• Partner with Quality leadership to support internal and external audits, customer requirements, regulatory inspections, and site initiatives.
• Ensure proper chemical inventory, storage, labeling, housekeeping, and compliance with EHS expectations for laboratory environments.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical chemistry

Laboratory supervision

Communication

Project management

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Analytical instruments

ISO 17025 familiarity

Job description

BWX Technologies, Inc. in Tennessee seeks a Lab Manager to oversee chemical laboratory operations supporting BWXT Ordnance’s quality and production activities.

This leadership role manages chemists and chemical lab technicians, ensures all analytical testing meets strict regulatory and quality standards, and maintains laboratory capability, equipment reliability, and safe work practices. Your day-to-day involves directing staff, prioritizing testing, developing analytical methods, and ensuring