Technical Lab Manager

Mazama Energy is seeking an experienced and innovative Technical Lab Manager to lead research, technology development, and laboratory operations supporting the company's growth and innovation strategy.

• Lead and manage research and technology development initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Identify, evaluate, and advance emerging technologies aligned with business objectives.
• Develop experimental programs, testing methodologies, and proof-of-concept investigations.
• Contribute to the organization's technology roadmap and innovation strategy.
• Evaluate opportunities for strategic partnerships, collaborative research, and technology commercialization.
• Support intellectual property development, including patents, publications, and invention disclosures.
• Translate technical findings into actionable engineering, operational, and business recommendations.

Laboratory Leadership & Operations

• Direct daily laboratory operations to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of research activities.
• Develop and maintain laboratory procedures, protocols, standards, and best practices.
• Ensure laboratory facilities, equipment, and resources support of evolving business objectives. Establish performance metrics and laboratory operating plans.
• Manage laboratory budgets, resource allocation, and capital equipment investments.

Technical Strategy & Innovation

• Contribute to the organization’s technology roadmap and long-term innovation strategy.
• Monitor industry trends, scientific advancements, and competitive technologies.
• Evaluate opportunities for strategic partnerships, collaborative research, and technology commercialization.
• Support intellectual property development, invention disclosures, patents, and technical publications.
• Provide technical leadership for high-priority projects and strategic initiatives.

Scientific Excellence & Quality Systems

• Maintain robust quality management systems and laboratory best practices.
• Ensure accuracy, integrity, traceability, and reliability of laboratory data.
• Review, interpret, and validate technical results and recommendations.
• Establish standards for experimental design, data management, and reporting.
• Support internal and external technical reviews, audits, and compliance activities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineering, operations, product development, business development, and executive leadership teams.
• Serve as a technical resource for internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Present technical findings to management, customers, research partners, and regulatory organizations.
• Contribute to proposal development, research funding opportunities, and strategic business initiatives.

Team Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, develop scientists, engineers, laboratory professionals, and technical staff.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Establish individual and team performance objectives aligned with company goals.
• Recruit, train, and retain high-performing technical talent.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong laboratory safety culture and operational discipline.
• Implement risk assessment and hazard mitigation practices for laboratory operations.
• Oversee proper management of laboratory materials, equipment, and documentation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials Science, Environmental Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in research, technology development, laboratory operations, engineering, or applied scientific environments.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of experience leading technical teams, research programs, or laboratory operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary technical projects from concept to execution.
• Strong understanding of experimental methods, data analysis, and scientific problem solving.
• Experience developing technical strategies, research programs, or innovation initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, technical reporting, and laboratory information systems.

Required Skills

• Strong understanding of experimental methods, data analysis, and scientific problem solving.
• Experience developing technical strategies, research programs, or innovation initiatives.
• Excellent communication, leadership, project management, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools, technical reporting, and laboratory information systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Energy Systems, Materials Science, Geoscience, or related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Energy technologies
• Advanced materials
• Geothermal systems
• Carbon management and storage
• Advanced manufacturing
• Artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies
• Demonstrated experience supporting government-funded research, proposal development, or externally sponsored R&D programs.
• Record of technical publications, patents, technology commercialization, or innovation leadership.
• Experience establishing new laboratory capabilities, testing programs, or research organizations.
• Knowledge of ISO quality systems and laboratory accreditation standards.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in industrial and laboratory environments.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Capability to stand, walk, and perform laboratory tasks for extended periods.