Engineering Lab Operations Manager

Matrix Research is currently seeking an experienced Prototyping Labs & Fabrication Manager to lead our fabrication, electronics assembly, and unmanned flight-testing facilities in Dayton, Ohio.

HOW WILL THIS POSITION CONTRIBUTE?

• Mission: Unify, modernize, and expand Matrix Research's core hardware prototyping infrastructure-leading multi-lab operations, delivering hands-on mechanical and fabrication expertise, and driving business development to secure new internal and external prototyping contracts.

• How: Supervise a dedicated team of engineers and technicians across our Mechanical Fabrication Lab, Electronics Assembly Lab, and Drone Flight/Testing Facility. Balance and schedule laboratory utilization across existing multidisciplinary contract needs while actively marketing our rapid prototyping, custom machining, and mechanical integration capabilities to external DoD, prime, and commercial customers. Oversee facility safety, equipment calibration, capital expenditure planning, and labor/service rates within our defense-compliant operational framework.

• Required:
• 10+ years of professional experience spanning mechanical design/fabrication, prototyping lab operations, and technical business development.
• Hands-on background in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and rapid prototyping (e.g., CNC machining, subtractive/additive manufacturing, sheet metal, structural fixtures, and ruggedized enclosures).
• Demonstrated success in technical capture and business development, specifically marketing fabrication, rapid-turn prototyping, or custom mechanical packaging services to external partners (DoD, defense primes, or commercial customers).
• Experience managing laboratory or prototyping facility operations, including equipment maintenance/calibration, safety protocols, and capital expenditure (CapEx) planning.
• Familiarity with tracking laboratory utilization, budgeting, and managing facility hourly rates (e.g., DCAA-compliant service centers).
• Proven leadership ability to supervise a technical team (technicians, mechanical engineers, software specialists) and prioritize facility demand across multiple concurrent project commitments.
• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and industry certifications.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens capable of obtaining and maintaining a U.S. DoD security clearance.

• Desired or Will Train:
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM packages (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and design for manufacturing/assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
• Experience integrating mechanical structures with electronic subsystems, sensor payloads, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
• Understanding of defense contracting, SBIR/STTR proposals, Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), and DCAA rate structure compliance.
• An active U.S. DoD security clearance.

Matrix Research is an employee-owned, small business advancing the state of the art in radar systems, radio frequency, and sensor exploitation technologies. Two thirds of our technical staff hold advanced degrees in Engineering, Mathematics, or the Physical Sciences. Our programs span basic research through the demonstration, test and evaluation, and low-rate production of advanced sensing systems, subsystems, and components.