Engineering Lab Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary:

The Engineering Lab & Inventory Specialist is responsible for supporting the daily operations, organization, and readiness of the Manufacturing Test Software laboratory & equipment. This role serves as the primary steward of the lab environment, ensuring test equipment, hardware, and capital assets are properly inventoried, maintained, organized, and available to support engineering and manufacturing activities. Responsibilities include inventory management, asset tracking, equipment lifecycle coordination, rack assembly and maintenance, and lab organization.

Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary coordinator for the day-to-day operations and organization of the Manufacturing Test Software laboratory.
• Manage inventory of laboratory hardware, capital equipment, cables, tools, consumables, and other assets, ensuring all equipment is accurately tracked, tagged, documented, and accounted for.
• Maintain inventory records by performing cycle counts, asset audits, and equipment reconciliation to ensure inventory accuracy.
• Coordinate the checkout, return, storage, repair, calibration, and replacement of laboratory equipment and assets.
• Triage equipment issues and coordinate repairs with internal teams and external vendors to maximize equipment availability.
• Order, receive, stock, and organize laboratory materials, tools, and equipment while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
• Assemble, organize, maintain, and improve test racks, mini racks, and other laboratory hardware to support engineering and test activities.
• Load software and configurations onto test equipment and troubleshoot basic hardware, connectivity, and configuration issues as needed.
• Ensure the laboratory remains organized, operational, and ready to support software development and verification testing activities.
• Support Test Engineers during software verification and hardware testing activities.
• Develop knowledge of manufacturing test systems and, over time, assist with hardware testing and the construction of new test equipment.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical certification preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in inventory management, laboratory operations, manufacturing support, engineering laboratory environments, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience managing inventory, capital assets, equipment tracking, receiving, storage, and asset lifecycle activities.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to prioritize work, maintain accurate records, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience coordinating equipment maintenance, repairs, calibration, or vendor services is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience using inventory management, ERP, CMMS, or asset management systems; experience with Atlassian Jira and Confluence is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of electronic and electromechanical components and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to assemble and maintain electromechanical hardware using assembly drawings and work instructions.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and basic software installation/configuration is desirable.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to supporting engineering teams.
• Ability to lift and move laboratory equipment and inventory as required.

Benefits

The starting pay range for this position is $26- $31 per hour however, the base pay offered may vary depending on the level of the position, skills, experience, job-related knowledge, and location.

In addition to a comprehensive package of health benefits that include company contributions, RAVE Aerospace offers a variety of additional benefits and perks to enhance your work-life balance experience including but not limited to:

• Discretionary bonus program
• Future financial security with a 401(k) program with a company match
• Paid time off covering vacations, personal time off, and sick days, capped off by an exciting year-end holiday shutdown