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Lab Director Jobs in Decatur, AL (NOW HIRING)

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Lab Director information

See Decatur, AL salary details

$40.2K

$112.8K

$166.4K

How much do lab director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for lab director in Decatur, AL is $112,767.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $94,800.00 and $123,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lab Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lab Director, you typically need an advanced degree in a scientific discipline, extensive laboratory experience, and strong management skills. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), regulatory compliance protocols like CLIA or CAP, and quality assurance tools is crucial. Leadership, problem-solving, and excellent communication abilities distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure effective lab operations, regulatory adherence, and a high standard of scientific integrity and safety.

What is the difference between lab manager and lab director?

A lab director oversees the entire laboratory, setting strategic goals, ensuring compliance, and managing budgets, often holding advanced degrees and leadership experience. A lab manager handles daily operations, supervises staff, and ensures procedures are followed, typically focusing on operational efficiency and technical tasks. The director has a broader, more strategic role, while the manager focuses on day-to-day management.

What does a lab director do?

A lab director oversees the operations, management, and safety of a laboratory, ensuring compliance with regulations and quality standards. They coordinate research activities, supervise staff, and may be involved in budgeting, equipment maintenance, and reporting. Strong leadership, scientific expertise, and knowledge of laboratory protocols are essential for this role.

How much does a lab director make in the US?

A lab director in the US typically earns between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. They often hold advanced degrees and certifications, and may oversee laboratory operations, staff, and compliance with safety standards.

What are some common challenges a Lab Director faces when managing a multidisciplinary team?

Lab Directors often oversee teams composed of scientists, technicians, and administrative staff from diverse backgrounds. A key challenge is ensuring effective communication and collaboration across these disciplines, especially when balancing research priorities with regulatory compliance and resource allocation. Building a culture of transparency and continuous improvement helps address these challenges, as does providing ongoing professional development to team members. Proactively managing conflicts and aligning the team's goals with the lab's overall mission are also crucial responsibilities.

What is the highest paying job in a laboratory?

The highest paying job in a laboratory is often a Laboratory Director or Chief Scientific Officer, who oversees operations, manages staff, and ensures compliance with regulations. These roles typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and leadership skills, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the industry and organization size.
What are the most commonly searched types of Lab jobs in Decatur, AL? The most popular types of Lab jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What job categories do people searching Lab Director jobs in Decatur, AL look for? The top searched job categories for Lab Director jobs in Decatur, AL are:
What cities near Decatur, AL are hiring for Lab Director jobs? Cities near Decatur, AL with the most Lab Director job openings:
Lab Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lab Director job openings in Decatur, AL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,767 per year, or $54.2 per hour.
Test and Analysis Group Technical Director

Test and Analysis Group Technical Director

Radiance Technologies

Huntsville, AL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Radiance Technologies, a 100% employee-owned company, is seeking a highly experienced and technically distinguished leader to serve as the Test and Analysis Group Technical Director supporting advanced Department of War (DoW) test, evaluation, and weapon systems activities. This position requires a recognized subject matter expert with deep expertise in EO/IR, UV, and RF systems technologies, threat-representative testing, and the development of advanced Test and Evaluation (T&E) methodologies supporting operationally relevant capability delivery.

The ideal candidate is recognized for exceptional service in the development and execution of T&E tools, methodologies, and techniques for advanced EO/IR, UV, and RF systems technologies and has demonstrated success as a trusted technical advisor and senior tester supporting the successful testing, evaluation, and fielding of mission-critical defense products on schedule and within cost for multiple DoD customers worldwide.

Position Summary

This role is suited for a technically authoritative leader capable of shaping the future of advanced systems testing and operational evaluation. The selected candidate will play a critical role in advancing mission-ready capability through technically rigorous, operationally credible, and threat-informed test and analysis practices.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as the senior technical authority for test and analysis activities supporting advanced sensing, survivability, and weapon systems technologies.

  • Lead the development and execution of innovative T&E strategies, methodologies, tools, and analytical techniques for complex defense systems.

  • Provide technical oversight for developmental, operational, and integrated testing activities involving Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR), Ultraviolet (UV), RF, missile warning, and advanced sensing technologies.

  • Advise government and industry leadership on technical risk, system performance, threat-representative evaluation, and mission effectiveness.

  • Direct the development of threat models, radiometric analyses, simulation environments, and performance assessments supporting system verification and validation.

  • Lead the development and application of analytical software tools, MATLAB-based models, and custom data analysis capabilities supporting system evaluation and decision-making.

  • Coordinate with major DoW test organizations, laboratories, and operational commands to support integrated test planning, execution, and reporting activities.

  • Brief senior government leadership and decision-makers, including Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, General Officers (GO), and Congressional Professional Staff Members (PSM) on program status, technical assessments, operational impacts, and strategic recommendations.

  • Support open architecture integration efforts and advanced modeling and simulation initiatives for current and next-generation weapon systems.

  • Mentor engineering and test personnel while shaping long-term technical strategy and evaluation frameworks.

Required Skills

  • Master's degree in electrical engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active DoW Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.

  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and initiatives in a dynamic environment. Can lead an integrated team focused on EO/IR and UV Sensors, RF Systems, beam directors and integration.

  • Ability analyze and assimilate technical information, lead technical assessments and provide recommendations to the Government customer.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. Can convey complex technical concepts to non-specialists.

Required Experience

  • Experience advising the Government Product Team on matters of the physics and engineering constraints of EO/IR and UV Sensors, RF systems.

  • 25+ years of experience supporting DoW T&E, advanced sensing systems, weapon systems engineering, or operational analysis activities.

  • Recognized expertise in EO/IR, UV, and RF systems technologies.

  • Demonstrated experience developing and executing T&E tools, methodologies, analytical techniques, and operational assessments for complex defense systems.

  • Extensive experience with MATLAB, analytical software development, custom analysis tool coding, automation, and data reduction techniques.

  • Extensive knowledge of:

    • Weapons systems open architectures

    • Radiometric analysis for missile warning technologies

    • RF missile systems guidance and control

    • Radiometric threat signature derivation and simulation

    • Modeling and simulation for threat-representative testing

    • Digital System Models (DSM) and advanced simulation environments

  • Demonstrated experience coordinating with major DoW test and evaluation organizations including:

    • Test Resource Management Center (TRMC)

    • U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)

    • Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)

    • US Air Force 96th Test Wing

    • Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)

  • Proven ability to serve as a senior technical advisor for major DoD acquisition and test programs.

  • Demonstrated success leading test activities that resulted in successful product fielding within cost and schedule constraints.

  • Demonstrated ability to effectively brief senior government and Congressional stakeholders on technical and operational matters.

  • Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to engage senior government, technical, operational, and industry stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience supporting advanced missile warning, countermeasure, sensing, or directed energy systems.

  • Experience supporting Digital System Models (DSM), synthetic environments, or advanced simulation-based evaluation frameworks.

  • Familiarity with digital engineering and open systems architectures.

  • Prior leadership experience directing multidisciplinary engineering, software, analysis, and test teams.

Radiance Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

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