Production Lab Manager (EWS112)

Position Title: Production Lab Manager
Location: Alexandria, VA
Clearance Requirement: Must have ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance
Employment Type: Full Time

Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is breaking through the big, slow, status quo with transformative technology that fundamentally changes and improves the world. We develop cutting-edge software for all levels of the government and military. Using agile development practices and user-centered design, we create innovative software solutions for complex real-world problems.

RII is seeking a committed individual to be our Production Lab Manager with the drive to solve unique and challenging problems for our Dragonfly Product Team. Our EW/SIGINT team is looking for an individual to lead efforts in prototyping, lab operations, hardware integration, test support, and field readiness. This individual will be expected to maintain an organized and efficient lab environment, oversee hardware assets, support engineering development efforts, and help drive one of RII’s most successful core values: Get s#it done.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:
Lab Operations & Facility Management

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Manage daily operations of the hardware development and prototyping lab environment.

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Maintain organized workspaces, tools, equipment, and test areas to support engineering productivity.

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Develop and enforce lab safety procedures, security protocols, and operational best practices.

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Coordinate preventative maintenance and calibration schedules for lab equipment.

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Ensure lab readiness to support rapid prototyping, integration, and testing activities.

Hardware Integration & Prototype Support

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Collaborate with engineering teams to understand hardware development needs and support build activities.

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Evaluate and maintain lab equipment used for fabrication, assembly, and testing.

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Support prototype assembly, cable fabrication, bench testing, and hardware troubleshooting.

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Assist with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) considerations during prototyping.

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Conduct functional testing to verify system quality and performance.

Configuration Management & Asset Control

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Develop and implement hardware configuration management procedures.

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Maintain accurate documentation of hardware builds, revisions, and lab assets.

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Track engineering hardware, test equipment, and prototype inventory within the lab.

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Manage changes to configurations and maintain configuration history.

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Ensure systems are aligned with program lifecycle and customer requirements.

Test & Field Readiness Support

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Prepare systems and equipment for demonstrations, field tests, and customer events.

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Coordinate packaging, setup, and return of fielded lab equipment.

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Support engineering teams during integration events and troubleshooting efforts.

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Analyze test results and recommend improvements to hardware performance or lab processes.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Support

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Oversee lab technicians and support personnel as required.

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Develop training materials and processes for safe and efficient lab operations.

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Establish strong communication between engineering, operations, and program teams.

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Drive continuous improvement initiatives across lab workflows and readiness processes.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE:
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Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electronics Technology, Manufacturing, or equivalent experience.

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Experience managing laboratory, prototyping, or hardware development environments.

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Experience with inventory tracking, asset management, or hardware accountability systems.

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Experience protecting sensitive hardware in harsh environments including cold, heat, and salt water.

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3+ years of experience working with small form factor electronics.

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3+ years of experience supporting rapid prototyping and hardware integration efforts.

EVEN BETTER:
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Knowledge of software defined radios.

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Experience with CAD modeling.

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Experience with engine, motor, and generator maintenance.

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Experience with large vehicles including towing trailers.

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Experience with prototyping equipment including 3D printing and laser cutting.

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Understanding of materials and coatings for specific applications such as durability against mechanical stress or salt water corrosion.

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Experience supporting field tests or deployed systems.

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Active U.S. security clearance.

#LI-TC1

At RII, we believe that diversity in our workforce is critical to our success. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We work to help your intellectual passions and creativity thrive. It’s one of our core values: Let your geek flag fly.

We also offer all employees comprehensive benefits including: flexible work schedules, health insurance coverage, paid time off, 401k with a company match, paid parental leave, access to wellness programs and much more. You get this all from day one, and all paid for by RII.

It’s all part of another of our core values: Stay human. It’s why our comfortable and colorful offices such as our headquarters, include a community game room, pantry, massage chair, and an escape room, among other amenities. It’s why we have community ambassadors and regular community events.