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 des