Laboratory Coordinator IV, Senior Laboratory Coordinator, Laboratory Manager

Job Title

Laboratory Coordinator IV, Senior Laboratory Coordinator, Laboratory Manager

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Materials Science & Engineering

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Who we are

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

This staff position for The Crucible Laboratory will oversee the daily operation, safety, training, and strategic development of a project-based maker and testing space within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. The Crucible is a new multidisciplinary, hands-on learning environment supporting materials fabrication, processing, characterization, and testing for undergraduate students across engineering disciplines housed within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. This role offers the opportunity to help build and shape a new flagship undergraduate innovation space from its early stages as the facility is equipped and expanded. The staff member will oversee the daily operation, ensure safe, efficient, and innovative use of equipment; supervise student assistants; coordinate with faculty and industry partners; and support integration of project-based learning (PBL) into the curriculum. The role is expected to evolve as the facility grows.

The Lab Manager will play a central role in shaping The Crucible as a flagship experiential learning hub. This includes fostering a culture of innovation, safety, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student leadership. The individual will work closely with faculty, student organizations (e.g., Materials Advantage, engineering clubs), and external industry partners to develop workshops and project-based activities that enhance workforce readiness.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations of The Crucible, including scheduling, equipment availability, and user access management.
• Manage, support, maintain and help develop safe operation of  materials synthesis and processing equipment including melting and casting furnaces, polymer processing equipment, forging tools, rolling systems, metal and polymer 3D printers, and benchtop galvanizing modules. A strong candidate may bring depth in some areas and be trained into additional tools as the facility develops.
• Oversee sample preparation and characterization equipment, including CNC milling machines, hardness testers, optical microscopes, desktop SEM, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Establish and enforce comprehensive laboratory safety protocols in compliance with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Develop and deliver mandatory safety and equipment training programs; certify students and staff to operate equipment where safety hazards exist.
• Instructional and Student Support: Support faculty in designing experimental setups and hands-on instructional modules for coursework, capstone design, honors projects, and Engineering X initiatives.
• Program Development: Coordinate industry-sponsored projects, hackathons, and design competitions hosted within The Crucible.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the Hot-Dip Galvanizing & Coatings Modules, including zinc hot-dip systems, pretreatment stations, and others.
• Manage procurement of equipment, consumables, and maintenance contracts; monitor budget and ensure efficient resource utilization.
• Maintain inventory control, calibration schedules, preventive maintenance logs, and documentation for compliance and accreditation.
• Assist in planning future expansion of The Crucible, including proposal writing, equipment upgrades, and facility improvements.
• Collaborate with faculty advisors to ensure alignment of lab activities with academic objectives.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental educational and research missions.

What we need:

Laboratory Coordinator IV

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of related experience

Senior Laboratory Coordinator

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of related experience

Laboratory Manager

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience

What is helpful:

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related fields
• Hands-on experience with materials processing, fabrication, and testing equipment.
• Demonstrated experience managing laboratory operations or technical facilities.
• Experience training and supervising students or technical staff.
• Experience with metal and polymer additive manufacturing systems.
• Experience with CNC machining and desktop characterization tools.
• Experience coordinating industry-sponsored educational projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of laboratory safety practices and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Background in project-based learning environments or makerspaces.
• Familiarity with budget management and equipment procurement processes.

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Materials Science and Engineering

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering's mission is to educate global leaders in materials science and engineering; perform research to address materials challenges of the 21st century; impact society, industry, national security, and the environment and attract the best minds and develop them into the leaders of tomorrow. Despite being one of the youngest departments in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University, it is one of the largest materials science and engineering departments in the country. Our goal is to be the largest one while providing excellent education to the students.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest (dependent upon position)

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance.
• Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff.

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present original and unexpired documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.