Lab Operations Manager

Inertia; Livermore (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401k with company match

Job summary

Inertia is hiring a Laboratory Operations Manager in Livermore to oversee day-to-day lab operations, ensure safety, and manage equipment and stockroom controls. You will coordinate safety programs, SOPs, and the maintenance of high-power laser and vacuum systems to keep labs ready for research.

The role requires 5+ years in advanced manufacturing or national lab environments, strong organizational skills, and hands-on lab experience with PPE.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a scientific/engineering field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee lab operations on a day-to-day basis, with authority for work authorization and release, responsive to the priorities of the scientific teams.
• Coordinate the installation, maintenance, calibration and storage of specialist equipment.
• Develop and deploy work planning and control systems to ensure effective identification and mitigation of job hazards, with appropriate readiness reviews and safety oversight to ensure rigorous and timely execution of work.
• Documentation of SOPs, materials safety database, chemical inventories, and associated training.
• Ensure scientific consumables, chemical inventories, and spare parts are available, with proactive stockroom controls.
• Oversee the work of technicians, contractors, and staff, including lab cleanliness, equipment setup, and lab schedule.
• Responsible Safety Officer for all labs’ safety systems including lasers, pressure vessels, chemical processes, and other specialist activities.
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and environmental protection.

Skills

Cal-OSHA programs

Laser safety

Safety management

Vendor coordination

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science/engineering

Tools

SEM

Optical microscopy

Vacuum pumps

Job description

Overview

Inertia Enterprises is developing the technologies to build the world’s first fusion energy power plant. At our 48,000 sq.ft. facility in Livermore CA, we are seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to oversee the safe and effective running of a suite of research labs involving high power lasers, vacuum systems and pressure systems, precision metrology, materials processing systems and more.

Working closely with the science and engineering teams and the building & facilities manager, this role has the responsibility for planning and overseeing day-to-day lab operations, providing the logistic and technical support needed to ensure the labs are “science ready” - and that all staff and contractors work in a well-controlled, well planned, highly communicative and organized environment This role has oversight of relevant specialist safety functions including laser safety, chemicals safety, and pressure systems safety.

What you get to do

• Oversee lab operations on a day-to-day basis, with authority for work authorization and release, responsive to the priorities of the scientific teams.

• Coordinate the installation, maintenance, calibration and storage of specialist equipment.

• Develop and deploy work planning and control systems to ensure effective identification and mitigation of job hazards, with appropriate readiness reviews and safety oversight to ensure rigorous and timely execution of work.

• Documentation of the required standard operating procedures, materials safety database, chemical inventories, and associated training.

• Ensure scientific consumables, chemical inventories, and spare parts are available when needed, adopting a proactive approach to planning and stockroom controls.

• Oversee the work of technicians, contractors, and other staff associated with the labs, including lab cleanliness and good housekeeping, equipment setup, and lab schedule.

• Responsible Safety Officer for all the labs’ safety systems including lasers, pressure vessels, chemical processes, and other specialist activities.

• Promote a culture of personal and collective responsibility for the health and safety of all, and for the protection of the environment.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific/engineering/technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).

• 5+ years of experience in advanced manufacturing, national lab, or similar technical environment, covering a range of areas, examples being:

  • Implementation of Cal-OSHA programs, laser safety for Class 3B/4 lasers, chemical hygiene, pressure safety, and contractor safety oversight and work authorization.

  • Maintenance, calibration, installation, commissioning, and lifecycle management of scientific/engineering equipment.

  • Handling of precision optics: Storage, cleaning and installation of mirrors, lenses, diffraction gratings, etc.

  • Maintaining and troubleshooting vacuum systems (pumps, chambers), chillers, and cleanroom infrastructure (HVAC monitoring, particle counters).

  • Installation and maintenance of metrology tools such as SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), Optical Microscopy, Ultrafast sensors and detectors, etc.

• EHS Compliance: Proficiency in writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for hazardous equipment and hazardous waste management, managing chemical inventories (SDS management) and developing Job Hazard Analyses (JHA).

• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate work across multiple stakeholders including scientists, engineers, technicians, facilities, vendors, and contractors, under tight schedules.

• Strong organizational and communication skills, including the ability to maintain clear lab status visibility and execute priorities in a fast-moving environment.

• Ability to work hands-on in an active lab environment, including use of appropriate PPE and the ability to safely perform physical tasks such as equipment handling, inspections, and lab walkdowns.

Salary & Benefits

• The base salary range for this role is $110,000 - $150,000; The pay range provided is an estimated base range for this role. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and education.

• We offer market-competitive compensation and an excellent benefits program, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, company-paid holidays, matching 401k, and more!

About Inertia

Inertia is taking the most direct, scientifically‑proven path to commercializing fusion, leveraging the only successful achievement of fusion ignition, using a process that was pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). With groundbreaking innovation, transformative technology, and multi‑year investment, Inertia is committed to commercializing fusion energy in the next decade.

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls, security classification and/or designation as Controlled Unclassified Information. Employment in this position is conditioned on the candidate’s eligibility for, obtaining and maintaining appropriate government authorization to access technology or information, to the extent required, including without limitation a security clearance, export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items technology or information.