Lab Manager - Construction Materials Testing

SOCOTEC; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SOCOTEC is expanding its Geotechnical and Construction Material Laboratory operations in Florida. The role leads a growing team to manage soils, concrete, and asphalt testing, ensuring QA, safety, and compliance with AASHTO/FDOT standards while delivering timely reports to clients.

We seek an autonomous professional with 5–10 years of lab leadership, strong communication, and the ability to build a new CMT lab in Orlando.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in related discipline preferred (civil engineering preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 5-10 years’ leadership experience in a laboratory or technical group.
• ACI and FDOT/CTQP certifications preferred; acquire within 1 year if not present.
• Experience in soil and rock laboratory work preferred.
• MS Excel and Word proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage, oversee, perform testing, and submit results for public/private clients.
• Generate and supervise testing reports; oversee others doing the same.
• Maintain workload to meet deadlines; identify bottlenecks.
• Supervise lab testing procedures, setup, loads, instrumentation, data, analyses, cleanup.
• Ensure timely entry of KPI’s and billing weekly.
• Research and implement new testing procedures as needed.
• Maintain QMS and ensure AASHTO/FDOT accreditation.
• Oversee equipment calibrations, maintenance, upgrades, procurement, repairs.
• Communicate with clients and CED staff; cultivate client relationships.
• Assist in troubleshooting and repairs; keep lab clean and stocked.
• Enforce lab safety and SOPs, chemical handling, disposal, and storage.
• Communicate effectively with contractors, clients, and team members.
• Work may include loud/noisy, dusty conditions; stand for long periods; lift up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional overtime and limited travel; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lab leadership

Quality assurance

Safety compliance

Data analysis

Project management

Communication

MS Excel

MS Word

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

About SOCOTEC:

SOCOTEC is a provider of niche consulting services within the architecture, engineering and construction industries focusing on high-performance buildings and specialty structures. Through an integrated, holistic approach, our professionals provide solutions for building envelope, energy efficiency, sustainability, code advisory and construction advisory projects.

Reporting to the Principal Engineer in charge, this role will ensure the efficient daily operation of the Geotechnical and Construction Material Laboratory operations at our new Orlando location. SOCOTEC is looking for an autonomous self-starter who will relish the opportunity to set up a new CMT lab which will focus on geotechnical soils testing, concrete testing, and asphalt testing. Successful candidates will be responsible for supervising staff working in the lab, the general maintenance of laboratory equipment, quality assurance, safety, and lab productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, oversee, perform testing, and submit testing results for both public and private clients.
• Generate, calculate, and compile laboratory testing reports and issue to clients and supervise others performing the same.
• Maintain and organize laboratory workload to meet given deadlines and be proactive in assessing bottlenecks in workflows and processes to ensure efficient laboratory operations.
• Oversees overall lab testing procedures, including setup, application of loads, instrumentation, data acquisition, analyses, and cleanup.
• Ensure the timely entry of lab KPI’s and billing information weekly.
• Identifies needs and performs the required research for new testing procedures.
• Maintain the Quality Management System (QMS) and ensure testing is in accordance with AASHTO and FDOT accreditation.
• Oversee equipment calibrations, maintenance, upgrades, procurement and repairs.
• Internal and external communication with outside clients and CED staff.
• Assist in cultivating client relationships with existing and new clients.
• Mechanically inclined to help with equipment troubleshooting and repairs is preferred.
• Ensure that the lab is clean, organized, and adequately stocked, including but not limited to supply inventory, labeling, and record-keeping procedures
• Oversee lab safety and lab SOP (standard operating procedures), including but not limited to proper specimen and chemical handling, disposal, and storage processes and procedures.
• Communicating effectively and efficiently with contractors, clients, and team members.
• Work Environment may include moderate to loud noise, dusty conditions, and require standing for extensive periods of time. Occasionally lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Requires corrected vision, color perception and hearing to normal range.
• Weekend and overtime work is required as needed based on laboratory workload; some limited overnight and interstate travel may be required with this position
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific responsibilities does not preclude the laboratory director from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

• BA/BS in a related discipline (BS in civil engineering preferred) preferred or equivalent experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred but not required.
• 5-10 years’ experience in leading and motivating a laboratory or technical group.
• ACI and FDOT/CTQP certifications are preferred. If you do not have the required certifications you will need to acquire them within 1 year of your start date.
• Experience in soil and rock laboratory work is preferred.
• Experience in process driven operations and people management.
• MS Excel and Word.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

For more information, please visit www.socotec.us

Job Type: Full-Time

Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

SOCOTEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.