Operations Manager (Materials Testing)

The Operations Manager – Aerospace Materials Testing is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of an materials testing laboratory, ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of high-quality testing services to aerospace and defense customers.

This role oversees laboratory personnel, testing activities, equipment, scheduling, productivity, and operational performance across disciplines such as mechanical testing, metallurgical testing, fracture and fatigue testing, and materials characterization. The Operations Manager will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Sales, Customer Service, and Business Development to ensure customer requirements are met, testing programs are delivered on time, and operational objectives are achieved.

The successful candidate will combine strong operational leadership with technical knowledge of materials testing, a focus on continuous improvement, and the ability to develop high-performing teams in a highly regulated aerospace environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Laboratory Operations Management

2. Aerospace Customer and Regulatory Compliance

3. People Leadership and Development

4. Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

5. Cross-Functional and Customer Collaboration

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Typically 5+ years of experience in laboratory operations, materials testing, aerospace testing, or a related industrial testing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing technical teams, laboratory personnel, or manufacturing/testing operations.
• Working knowledge of aerospace materials testing processes, including mechanical testing, metallurgy, fracture mechanics, or fatigue testing.
• Understanding of quality management systems and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
• Experience managing operational KPIs, resource planning, productivity, and customer delivery commitments.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Preferred

• Experience within a Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) organization or an independent materials testing laboratory.