The R&D Lab Manager – Atlas will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, safety, and effectiveness of the Atlas R&D laboratory spaces. Acting as a service provider, this role ensures that Prototype Operations, the Atlas Behavior teams (software, controls, planning, autonomy), and Fleet Management teams have the resources, tools, and safe environment they need to accelerate research and development.
This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented leader who can balance operational discipline with the flexibility required in a fast-paced R&D environment. The R&D Lab Manager will own lab readiness, ensure equipment availability and compliance, and implement continuous improvement initiatives that enable speed, safety, and reliability across the Atlas program. The ideal candidate has a can-do attitude and is self-starting.
Key Responsibilities
Lab Operations & Readiness
Maintain day-to-day readiness of the Atlas R&D lab, ensuring all equipment, tools, and materials are available and functional.
Implement and sustain 5S principles, lab organization, and visual management systems.
Coordinate with IT on lab networking needs ensuring ports are labeled and accurate.
Manage and organize robot props for behavior cloning and operations.
Cross-Functional Service Support
Act as the central point of contact for lab support across Prototype Operations, Behavior teams, Fleet Management, and Building Operations.
Provide infrastructure and equipment support for software and controls testing (rigs, harnesses, power systems, diagnostics).
Ensure smooth scheduling and prioritization of shared lab resources.
Safety & Compliance
Partner with EHS and BuildingOps to maintain a safe and compliant lab environment.
Conduct regular inspections, enforce safety protocols, and ensure test environments meet compliance standards.
Lead incident tracking, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for lab-related issues.
Equipment & Facility Management
Take inventory of existing equipment, evaluate current capabilities, and recommend upgrades.
Tag and asset management equipment for location and financial tracking purposes.
Manage equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and vendor service contracts.
Lead initiatives to modernize the lab environment and improve uptime and reliability.
Continuous Improvement
Introduce and manage systems for asset tracking, documentation, and lab process improvement.
Enable higher throughput and reduced downtime by improving lab workflows and build/test handoffs.
Showcase improvements and maintain transparency with stakeholders.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field (Master’s preferred).
5+ years of experience managing R&D labs, prototype shops, or technical operations.
Strong knowledge of lab safety, EHS practices, and compliance standards.
Experience with 5S, Lean principles, or continuous improvement frameworks.
Proven track record of supporting cross-functional engineering teams in dynamic R&D environments.
Excellent organizational and communication skills; ability to balance multiple stakeholders and priorities.
Hands-on technical aptitude with robotics, electromechanical systems, or advanced manufacturing preferred.
Ability to use hand and power tools to install and remove equipment such as safety fencing and visual management equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years managing R&D labs, prototype shops, or advanced manufacturing test facilities, ideally in robotics, automotive racing, aerospace, or electromechanical systems.
Proven experience implementing 5S, Lean, or continuous improvement systems to improve lab safety, organization, and throughput.
Hands-on knowledge of robotics test rigs, safety systems, diagnostic equipment, and prototyping tools, with working familiarity of PLM/MES/ERP systems for documentation and traceability.
Strong collaboration skills, with a track record of acting as a service provider to cross-functional teams while ensuring compliance with EHS and facilities standards.
We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas for this position.
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