R&D Lab Manager: Lead Lab Operations & Innovation

AFL; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid in-office schedule

Flexible time off policy

401K company match up to 4%

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Professional development

Excellent medical/dental/vision/life

Job summary

AFL is seeking an R&D Lab Manager to run the day-to-day operations of a state-of-the-art inside plant fiber termination lab. You will coordinate priorities, manage technicians, and ensure prototype builds and tests are completed safely and on schedule.

You will support the development and scaling of multi-fiber connector termination, maintain readiness, improve test methods, and uphold rigorous standards for safety, quality, and documentation across lab activities.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent technical training in engineering technology or related field.
• 5+ years in technical lab, manufacturing, test, process development, automation, or product development.
• 2+ years leading or supervising technicians or technical teams (preferred).
• Strong understanding of lab safety, test execution, prototype builds, and data documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily R&D lab operations, technician schedules, and lab priorities.
• Lead and develop technicians supporting prototype builds and process development.
• Plan, execute, and document experiments and test plans with R&D engineers.
• Maintain safety, organization, and use of lab tools and equipment per AFL policies.
• Improve lab procedures, instructions, test methods, and data collection practices.
• Coordinate builds, fixtures, testing, data collection, and status reporting.

Skills

Lab leadership

Technical documentation

Process development

Safety compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Project planning

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Engineering Technology / related field

Equivalent experience considered

Job description

AFL is seeking an R&D Lab Manager to run the day-to-day operations of a state-of-the-art inside plant fiber termination lab. You will coordinate priorities, manage technicians, and ensure prototype builds and tests are completed safely and on schedule.

You will support the development and scaling of multi-fiber connector termination, maintain readiness, improve test methods, and uphold rigorous standards for safety, quality, and documentation across lab activities.