Manager, Lab Engineering

Job Description

What we need

Symbotic is seeking for a Manager, Lab Engineering to join our Reliability Engineering & System Test team within our Hardware Engineering organization. Your job will be to build and lead the Lab Engineering function, serving as the physical platform that enables every test campaign across Reliability Engineering and System Test while owning the operations, workforce, equipment, and facilities that support testing at scale.

What we do

The Reliability Engineering & System Test organization validates the performance, reliability, and readiness of Symbotic's automation systems through rigorous testing and evaluation. Lab Engineering provides the infrastructure, technical resources, fabrication capabilities, and operational support necessary to execute those efforts. This team owns the prototype and test labs, machine shop, and additive manufacturing capabilities that support product development, test execution, and future growth across multiple robotics programs.

What you'll do

• Own the Integrated Testing Center lab spaces including prototype and test labs, machine shop, and 3D print lab, with responsibility for layout, capacity, condition, housekeeping, safe operation, and space planning for growth, relocations, and new equipment installations.
• Lead a workforce consisting of engineering technicians, fabrication specialists, machinists, and contract personnel, including contractor onboarding, offboarding, agency management, and workforce planning.
• Establish and operate a centralized intake queue and capacity planning model across technician, fabrication, and additive manufacturing resources while balancing demand from System Test, Reliability Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Test Automation.
• Deliver test hardware through the fabrication and build of rigs, fixtures, and test articles, including make-versus-buy decisions and management of external machine shop partners.
• Own the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and calibration of environmental chambers, thermal chambers, instrumentation, sensors, load systems, and other test equipment while maintaining audit-ready records.
• Build and manage annual operating and capital plans for equipment, tooling, consumables, facilities, and contingent labor.
• Drive laboratory safety, equipment integrity, preventive maintenance, and calibration programs while enabling scalable test throughput across current and future robotics platforms.

What you'll need

• Minimum of 2 years of management experience and 8 years of total work experience
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent lab, shop, or test operations leadership experience may be considered in place of a degree.
• Experience owning an engineering lab, test facility, prototype lab, machine shop, or fabrication operation, including responsibility for equipment, facilities, and operational performance.
• Experience directly managing technicians, machinists, fabrication specialists, or other skilled technical personnel, including scheduling, performance management, and capability development.
• Experience leading a workforce that includes both full-time employees and contract labor, including agency coordination, onboarding, retention, and knowledge continuity.
• Hands-on experience supporting test fixture and rig development, engineering drawings, GD&T, machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and additive manufacturing processes.
• Experience with test equipment installation, commissioning, maintenance, calibration programs, laboratory safety practices, and maintaining auditable equipment records.

Our Environment

• Up to 10% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver's license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client locations and company HQ.
• Employees may be required to use a personal credit card for business travel expenses, which are reimbursed based on the program guidelines. Eligible employees may receive a corporate credit card based on role and travel requirements, but a personal credit card may be needed during onboarding until the corporate card is issued.

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