Laboratory Operations Coordinator

VideoRay; The Prairies at Wright Field (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment is seeking a Laboratory Operations Coordinator to join its Biological Materials and Processing Research Team at the Dayton, Ohio facility. The role supports lab facility setup, workflows, and procedures, plus maintenance coordination, safety/compliance, procurement, inventory, and day-to-day operations.

Ideal candidate is organized, can work independently, follow established procedures, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required for government projects.
• Associate degree or 3+ years of relevant experience in lab operations, logistics, or lab management.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols and hazardous materials handling.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in tracking records, documentation, and maintenance schedules.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with scientists, engineers, facilities staff, and vendors.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn procurement/web-based equipment tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory records and monitor supply levels; initiate reorder requests.
• Assist setup and installation of new laboratory equipment with contractors and facilities staff.
• Coordinate procurement activities: obtain quotes, prepare docs, submit requisitions, coordinate delivery and returns.
• Schedule preventative maintenance and perform routine cleaning of equipment.
• Assist with safety onboarding for new lab users and ensure proper equipment operation.
• Prepare and process shipments for hazardous and non-hazardous materials in compliance with procedures.
• Collaborate with internal teams, researchers, facilities, and vendors to resolve routine issues.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Procurement systems

Lab safety protocols

Education

Associate’s degree or 3+ years lab ops/logistics experience

Job description

Worker Type

Regular

Job Description

AeroVironment is seeking a Laboratory Operations Coordinator to join it's Biological Materials and Processing Research Team at their Dayton, Ohio facility. This role will play a critical part in supporting the setup of new lab facilities and implementing established workflows and procedures for lab management. Additional work will involve equipment maintenance coordination, safety/compliance activities, procurement support, inventory/logistics, and day-to-day facility coordination. This is a salaried position with work occurring Monday-Friday during regular business hours with occasional availability during off-hours required to respond to emergencies. The successful candidate will be organized, able to work independently on routine tasks while following established procedures, and able to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment. The hire will join a collaborative team of scientists, supporting their efforts on a variety of cutting-edge research projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory records, monitor supply levels, and initiate reorder requests using established systems.
• Support the setup and physical installation of new laboratory equipment, coordinating with contractors and facilities personnel to install necessary utilities, including electrical, plumbing, compressed air, nitrogen, water supply/drain lines, vacuum, and exhaust venting.
• Support laboratory purchasing activities by obtaining vendor quotes, preparing required documentation, submitting requisitions, coordinating delivery, receiving, and return of equipment and supplies.
• Coordinate scheduled preventative maintenance and perform routine cleaning for laboratory equipment according to established procedures.
• Assist with initial laboratory safety and basic instrument orientation for new lab users using approved procedures and training materials to ensure proper equipment operation and user safety.
• Prepare, package, track, and process shipments for both hazardous and non-hazardous materials in compliance with established procedures and regulatory guidelines.
• Coordinate with internal colleagues, government researchers, facilities staff, base logistics, and corporate purchasing teams to support laboratory operations and resolve routine issues.

Required Qualifications

• This position involves working on government projects and requires U.S. Citizenship
• Associate’s degree in a relevant technical, scientific, or operations/logistics field or 3+ years of working experience in lab operations, logistics, or lab management.
• Basic knowledge of or familiarity with laboratory safety protocols, hazardous material handling, and occupational safety regulations.
• Strong organizational skills with keen attention to detail and accuracy in tracking records, documentation, and maintenance schedules.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with scientists, engineers, facilities staff, and vendors.
• Proficiency with standard desktop software (Microsoft Office Suite) and the ability to quickly learn web-based equipment tracking databases and procurement systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with workflows for molecular biology and biochemistry research.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven track record of bridging communication gaps.
• Self-motivation and initiative to identify and communicate supply chain bottlenecks, equipment maintenance needs, and facility issues before they disrupt research.
• Tactful approach to following and reinforcing established safety protocols, lab organization standards, and compliance rules while maintaining positive working relationships.
• Flexibility to adjust daily priorities quickly in a dynamic defense R&D setting with evolving requirements.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Most tasks will occur within an office and laboratory environment.
• Comfortable working with/around hazards: chemical (e.g., oxidizers, caustics, acids and bases), physical (high pressure/high temperature), and electrical (high voltage/wattage).
• Required to sit and stand for long periods.
• Ability to independently lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs. Required to move heavier equipment or supplies using proper material-handling equipment (e.g., carts, dollies, hand trucks) or team lifting.
• Manual dexterity required to operate computers, handle delicate laboratory equipment, and use hand tools for light maintenance.

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary Range

$51,500 - $78,500

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the location, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A "U.S. person" according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website to learn more about us.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible.

As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR

U.S. Citizenship required