Laboratory Manager- Geotechnical

Colliers Engineering & Design; Totowa (NJ); Remote; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) / Roth match

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Mentorship program

Wellness program

Job summary

Colliers Engineering & Design seeks an experienced Laboratory Manager or Geotechnical Engineer to lead our Totowa, NJ geotechnical and construction materials testing laboratory. You will manage staff, testing programs, QA, safety, and client relationships while driving efficiency and project delivery.

You will oversee budgeting, forecasting, business development with existing and new clients, and staff development.

Qualifications

• BS in Civil Engineering or equivalent experience; MS is preferred.
• PE license preferred but not required; if not, equivalent leadership experience.
• ACI/NICET certifications are preferred; must be obtained within 1 year of start date.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily and long-term management of Geotechnical and Construction Materials Testing Laboratory.
• Supervise staff, training, QA, safety and productivity.
• Manage proposals, budgets, revenue and staffing; ensure timely project testing and invoicing.

Skills

Laboratory management

Geotechnical engineering

Project management

Budgeting & forecasting

Staff development

Quality & safety compliance

Client relationship building

Communication

Education

BS in Civil Engineering

MS in a relevant area

Professional Engineer (PE) license

ACI/NICET certifications

Tools

Geosystems

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Overview

Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager or Geotechnical Engineer to lead the day-to-day operations of our high-volume Geotechnical and Construction Materials Testing Laboratory at our Totowa, NJ office. This role is responsible for overseeing laboratory staff, managing testing programs, maintaining quality and safety standards, and ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and on schedule. The Laboratory Manager will also support budgeting, forecasting, client relationships, staff development, and overall laboratory performance while working closely with internal teams and external clients. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on leader with strong technical expertise, operational management experience, and a passion for building and developing high‑performing teams. We are open to considering qualified candidates who are willing to relocate for this opportunity, and relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Under the general guidance of the Laboratory Director, ensures efficient daily and long‑term management of the Geotechnical and Construction.
• Material Laboratory operations including but not limited to supervising staff working in the lab, training, maintenance of laboratory equipment, quality assurance, safety and productivity of the laboratory.
• Project management including proposals, met revenue/profit targets, budget control, control costs, staffing, project testing coordination, lookahead coordination and review/approval of invoices.
• Work with the Laboratory Director to provide business development with existing and new clients. Business development experience is preferred but not required. Ability to bring in new clients upon hire is preferred but not required.
• Manage, oversee, perform testing and submit testing results for rock, advanced, specialized and research testing which consists of the following testing but not limited to triaxial (UC, UU, CU, CD), direct shear, direct simple shear (DSS), cyclic DSS and triaxial, permeability, special mix testing (soil, cement, bentonite, etc.) and rock (slake, uniaxial, triaxial, shear).
• 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 proactive in assessing bottlenecks in workflows and processes to ensure efficient laboratory operations.
• Experience with MS Excel to manage and develop lab testing worksheets is essential.
• Oversees overall lab testing procedures including setup, application of loads, instrumentation, data acquisition, analyses and cleanup.
• Enter lab units and billing information weekly.
• Oversee and provide training for existing and entry‑level staff and maintains training documentation to ensure that all testing methods are performed in a safe and reliable manner.
• 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 Re:Source and US Army Corp accreditation.
• Oversee equipment calibrations, maintenance, upgrades, procurement and repairs.
• Actively involved in the recruitment process for new personnel.
• Internal and external communication with outside clients and CED staff.
• Mechanically inclined to help with equipment trouble shooting and repairs is prefered.
• Ensure that 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 40 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.
• Performs 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.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in a related discipline (BS in civil engineering preferred) or equivalent experience.
• Master degree or higher in a relevant area is preferred but not required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred but not required.
• 10+ years’ experience in leading and motivating a laboratory or technical group.
• ACI and NICET 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Experience using Geosystems.
• Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job‑related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.

Compensation: $90,000 to $140,000 annually (depending on qualifications)

What We Offer

At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That's why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.

This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.

We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in‑house resource for hundreds of educational and self‑enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women's Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.