Lab Manager, Avionics Hardware

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, organized, ESD-safe laboratory environment that supports rapid hardware development, integration, and testing.
• Manage the full lifecycle of laboratory equipment, including procurement, calibration, maintenance, asset tracking, and troubleshooting of engineering test equipment.
• Own laboratory safety by implementing and enforcing protocols for electrical safety, high-voltage systems, hazardous materials, and general lab compliance.
• Perform precision board-level assembly, soldering, rework, and repair of complex PCBAs, including fine-pitch SMT, BGA, and other high-density electronic components.
• Fabricate, modify, and repair custom wire harnesses, cable assemblies, and engineering fixtures from schematics, drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Apply conformal coatings, potting compounds, and other environmental protection processes to flight hardware as required.
• Manage inventory of electronic components, consumables, tooling, and raw materials, ensuring critical parts remain in stock and available for development activities.
• Support engineering teams by assembling prototypes, configuring test benches, integrating instrumentation, and preparing hardware for functional, environmental, and qualification testing.
• Assist with hardware integration, debugging, and validation while maintaining accurate documentation, equipment records, and lab procedures.
• Partner closely with electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineers to improve lab operations, increase efficiency, and accelerate hardware development.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of experience managing a hardware development lab or electronics workshop, preferably within the aerospace, defense, or automotive industries.
• Soldering & Rework: Exceptional manual soldering skills with proven experience in board-level rework of fine-pitch surface mount technology (SMT).
• Harnessing: Demonstrated experience in building high-reliability wire harnesses, including crimping, shielding, splicing, and connector termination.
• Materials Handling: Hands-on experience with the application of conformal coatings, epoxies, and potting materials.
• Safety Training: Documented experience or certification in High-Voltage Safety protocols and laboratory safety management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Inventory Tools: Experience utilizing inventory management software or ERP systems for component tracking.
• Tech Degree: Associate degree in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• Environmental Test Campaigns: Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum, vibration) for optical hardware.