Supervisor Research and Development Lab

Elbit Systems of America

Roanoke (VA)

On-site

USD 75,000 - 105,000

Full time

2 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule

401(k) program

Medical/Dental/Vision

Life Insurance

PTO

Parental Leave

Referral Program

Voluntary Benefits

TRICARE Supplement

Job summary

Elbit America in Roanoke, VA, is seeking a Lab Supervisor to lead the Research & Development laboratories, manage a team of technicians, and ensure safe, efficient operations aligned with established protocols. You will set daily priorities, coordinate with managers, drive continuous improvement, and perform hands-on lab work as needed, while mentoring staff and safeguarding quality and compliance.

This role offers a 9/80 schedule, strong benefits, and opportunities to impact national security

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience considered.
5+ years of experience working in laboratory environments, technical operations, or fabrication systems.
Prior supervisory or lead experience preferred; experience directing technical work highly desirable.
Experience working within structured laboratory protocols.
Working knowledge of laboratory equipment, components, and general operational concepts.
Familiarity with continuous improvement concepts; Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Supervise daily activities of laboratory technicians, including assigning work and setting priorities.
Oversee system readiness, maintenance, and safe operation of lab systems, ensuring adherence to established procedures.
Coordinate system shutdowns, restarts, and recovery activities with proper planning and alignment.
Maintain laboratory safety, cleanliness, and documentation standards.
Communicate performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, and development planning.
Identify operational or technical issues and apply judgment to troubleshoot or resolve them within guidelines.
Lead structured team meetings with clear agendas, action items, and follow‑up expectations.
Coordinate with other supervisors or groups to enhance efficiency and workflow.
Report critical equipment issues, resource needs, and operational risks to management.
Establish and drive a continuous improvement mindset within the lab team and spaces.
Support process improvements and assist with updating procedures to enhance lab consistency and efficiency.
Perform lab work, as may be driven by business needs.

Skills

Supervision

Lab operations

Safety compliance

Communication

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Physics or related field

Tools

Laboratory equipment

QA testing equipment

Job description

Company Information

Fueled by more than 800 talented employees and a proud 65-year legacy of night vision production excellence, Elbit America’s Warfighter Systems business is rooted in the heart of Virginia’s Roanoke Valley. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find a unique blend of southern hospitality, outdoor adventure, and the energy of a thriving city – all alongside a purpose you can be proud of coming to work each day.

As a world leader in low-light sensor technology, the Warfighter Systems team is engineering the future of image intensifiers and night vision goggle systems as we enter a new era of the networked battlespace. Trusted by the U.S. and nearly 100 allied countries, our technology provides support to those in harm's way during the most critical moments with one goal in mind: bring them home safely.

The work our employees perform each day plays a direct role in national security, and our shared purpose is what truly makes Warfighter Systems so extraordinary. Come join our collaborative team where each voice is valued in a setting where you can thrive, develop, and make a true impact!

Job Summary

The Lab Supervisor oversees the daily operational activities of the Research & Development laboratories, serving as the primary owner of all lab equipment and coordinating the work of a team of technicians. This role sets daily priorities, schedules resources in collaboration with functional managers and Project Engineering Managers, and ensures that lab operations are conducted safely, efficiently, and in alignment with established protocols.

The Lab Supervisor applies operational best practices; coordinates work with related teams and ensures consistent execution of procedures that support ongoing development and production objectives. Guided by established policies, the role provides direction, conveys expectations, addresses personnel matters, and escalates significant equipment concerns to management. Where needed in support of business demands, this role is expected to also perform work in the labs.

Responsibilities And Tasks Include, But Are Not Limited To

Supervise daily activities of laboratory technicians, including assigning work and setting priorities.
Oversee system readiness, maintenance, and safe operation of lab systems, ensuring adherence to established procedures.
Coordinate system shutdowns, restarts, and recovery activities with proper planning and alignment.
Maintain laboratory safety, cleanliness, and documentation standards.
Communicate performance expectations and provide coaching, feedback, and development planning.
Identify operational or technical issues and apply judgment to troubleshoot or resolve them within guidelines.
Lead structured team meetings with clear agendas, action items, and follow‑up expectations.
Coordinate with other supervisors or groups to enhance efficiency and workflow.
Report critical equipment issues, resource needs, and operational risks to management.
Establish and drive a continuous improvement mindset within the lab team and spaces.
Support process improvements and assist with updating procedures to enhance lab consistency and efficiency.
Perform lab work, as may be driven by business needs.

Qualifications (Education/Experience)

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience considered.
5+ years of experience working in laboratory environments, technical operations, or fabrication systems.
Prior supervisory or lead experience preferred; experience directing technical work highly desirable.
Experience working within structured laboratory protocols.
Working knowledge of laboratory equipment, components, and general operational concepts.
Familiarity with continuous improvement concepts; Lean/Six Sigma certification preferred but not required.

Skills And Abilities

Ability to supervise and prioritize daily activities across a technical support team.
Strong judgment in identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving routine operational issues.
Effective communication skills for conveying expectations, explaining procedures, and addressing sensitive personnel issues.
Ability to coordinate with related groups to align workflow and improve operational efficiency.
Strong organizational skills and commitment to maintaining consistent operational standards.
Commitment to safe laboratory practices and compliance with company policies.
Ability to elevate significant operational concerns appropriately.

Travel/Physical Requirements

Ability to stand or walk for extended periods during lab oversight or inspections.
Ability to lift or move laboratory components or tools typically up to 25–40 pounds.
Manual dexterity required for occasional handling of equipment components or system interfaces.
Work may require bending, reaching, or accessing equipment in constrained spaces.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required.

Why Roanoke, Virginia?

Lower cost of living
Family-friendly area
Career and economic growth
Scenic beauty
Outdoor enthusiast’s dream

Here Are Some Of The Great Benefits We Offer

Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
Flexible Vacation & PTO
Paid Parental Leave
Generous Employee Referral Program
Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Elbit America is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The salary range listed for this position reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations.

Please ensure your résumé meets the Dayforce upload requirements. Dayforce supports résumé files up to 4 MB. To avoid upload issues, please: save your résumé as a PDF, remove photos/graphics/embedded objects, ensure the file is under 4 MB, and avoid password‑protected PDFs. If you encounter difficulties, try using a different browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari), an incognito/private window, clearing browser cache, or disabling browser extensions. If you are unable to upload your resume for parsing, you may manually add resume details and/or attach your resume to the Additional Documents section. If you have exhausted all troubleshooting issues above, you may contact TechnicalSupport@ElbitAmerica.com. NOTE: Simply emailing a resume to this inbox will not be considered an official application to any job posting.

Get your free, confidential resume review.

or drag and drop your file here.