Geotechnical Lab Manager

Job Title: Geotechnical Lab Manager

Job Description

The Lab Manager oversees and coordinates all activities within a construction and geotechnical materials laboratory, ensuring safe, high-quality, and timely testing of soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt. This role leads a laboratory team, manages training and utilization of staff, and ensures that all testing services comply with established quality protocols, project requirements, and internal procedures. The Lab Manager also plays a key role in business planning, proposal support, and short-range business development for laboratory services.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage daily operations of a construction and geotechnical materials laboratory, including testing of soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt.
• Ensure all laboratory testing services are performed safely, on schedule, and in accordance with project requirements, company policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Develop and implement supplemental operating policies and procedures specific to the laboratory to maintain orderly, efficient, and compliant testing services.
• Work closely with office leadership to support preparation of proposals and quotations for laboratory testing services, ensuring proper scope, adequate staffing, and appropriate pricing.
• Ensure laboratory personnel are properly trained, supervised, and equipped with the tools and equipment needed to maintain personal safety in the office and laboratory.
• Directly supervise or monitor laboratory activities to confirm that work meets client and project requirements and adheres to company standards.
• Ensure laboratory processes and staff comply with the company Quality program and the Construction Materials Quality Management System (QMS).
• Evaluate the performance of all laboratory employees and support their professional development and growth in alignment with company policies and procedures.
• Oversee efficient utilization of laboratory facilities and equipment, and request additional equipment or facilities as needed to meet client demands.
• Manage calibration, maintenance, and proper functioning of all laboratory equipment.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and uncluttered laboratory environment, ensuring proper appearance and readiness for work.
• Support department leadership by directing short-range business development activities of laboratory personnel to help generate sufficient fees to support staffing levels.
• Supervise laboratory administrative systems to ensure reports, proposals, and client-facing information are accurately prepared and delivered on time.
• Ensure laboratory staff follow company administrative policies, including accurate completion of time sheets, expense reports, and purchase order requirements.
• Collaborate with department leadership to plan, recruit, select, and train personnel for the laboratory and related departments.
• Assist department leadership with preparation of the annual business plan for the laboratory or department.
• Perform construction and geotechnical-related laboratory testing as needed based on workload and staffing demands.
• Develop a strong understanding of project-related risks, including what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the organization, and apply company risk policies in day-to-day work.
• Lead safety efforts for the laboratory team, ensure adherence to safety rules and guidelines, and actively model safe work practices.
• Promote pre-task planning for all projects to identify and mitigate potential safety and quality issues.
• Champion continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects, ensuring quality standards and practices are consistently applied.
• Engage appropriate quality review processes at the onset of projects to support successful delivery.

Essential Skills

• No less than 5 years of experience working in a construction or geotechnical testing laboratory environment.
• At least 3 years of experience managing a laboratory team of 4 or more people.
• Strong lab management skills, including staff supervision, resource planning, and workflow coordination.
• Extensive experience with construction materials testing, including soils, aggregates, concrete, and asphalt.
• Certifications and at least 5 years of experience with the American Concrete Institute (ACI).
• Certifications and at least 5 years of experience with NICET, specifically in asphalt and concrete.
• Hands-on testing experience with sieve analysis and gradation testing.
• Experience performing CBR (California Bearing Ratio) testing.
• Experience conducting hydrometer testing.
• Experience performing concrete testing and aggregate testing.
• Ability to develop and enforce laboratory operating policies and procedures.
• Proven ability to supervise, train, and mentor laboratory staff.
• Strong understanding of quality programs and Construction Materials Quality Management Systems (QMS).
• Ability to evaluate employee performance and support professional development.
• Capability to manage calibration and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Ability to oversee administrative processes, including reporting, proposals, and compliance with internal administrative policies.
• Awareness of project-related risks and familiarity with risk management policies.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership and safe work practices.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering technology or a related field and at least 5 years of experience performing laboratory tests on construction and geotechnical materials, or in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years of related experience.
• Certification by qualified national, regional, or state authorities (ACI, NICET, DOT) or in-house certification in areas such as concrete, aggregates, soil and rock, or road and paving materials.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable violation history may be required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting proposal and quotation development for laboratory testing services, including scoping, staffing, and pricing.
• Experience with short-range business development activities to grow laboratory services and support staffing levels.
• Ability to plan, recruit, select, and train laboratory and department personnel.
• Experience contributing to annual business planning for a laboratory or technical department.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain a clean, well-arranged laboratory environment.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with office leadership, project teams, and clients.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining high quality standards.
• Interest in career development and growth within a technical laboratory environment.
• Comfort working on diverse and complex projects, such as environmental assessments, remediation projects, construction oversight, geotechnical investigations, and infrastructure or development projects.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, employee-owned company culture focused on shared success and long-term growth.

Work Environment

This role is based in a laboratory environment located in Lynnwood, WA, with free onsite parking and easy access to the facility. The laboratory is connected to an office space that includes high-wall cubicles and several private offices, accommodating approximately 35 people. The work setting combines hands-on laboratory testing with office-based tasks such as reporting, planning, and collaboration with project teams. The environment supports diverse and interesting project work, including environmental assessment, remediation, construction oversight, geotechnical investigation, and infrastructure and development projects. The organization emphasizes career development, working closely with supervisors on career path planning, and operates as a 100% employee-owned company with a strong focus on shared success and long-term growth.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Lynnwood, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $160000.00 - $210000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance options - Life and disability insurance at no cost - Employee Assistance Program and well-being resources covering physical, mental, financial, career, social, and community wellness - PTO, Paid Holidays, Parental Leave and compassionate leave program - 401k 60% of the first 7% of employee deferrals - Employee stock ownership plan - Annual opportunities to purchase Terracon stock

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lynnwood,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.