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Lab Director Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Lab Associate I

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$18.39/hr

Lab Associate I - Chantilly, VA, Thursday to Monday, 10:00 PM to 6:30 AM Department: Spec Chem ... Perform routine instrument maintenance on some equipment, under direct and constant supervision.

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Lab Director information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$46.5K

$130.3K

$192.3K

How much do lab director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for lab director in Silver Spring, MD is $130,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,600.00 and $143,200.00 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 Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Lab jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What are popular job titles related to Lab Director jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Lab Director jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Lab Director jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Lab Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Lab Director job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,345 per year, or $62.7 per hour.
Project Engineer Staff (West Wing Lab Manager)

Project Engineer Staff (West Wing Lab Manager)

Lockheed Martin

College Park, MD • On-site

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Lockheed Martin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 389 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 63 rated aerospace companies


Job description

WHAT WE'RE DOING
Here at Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems we take on the most demanding challenges in the world. We seek out innovative ideas and creative solutions to seemingly impossible problems facing our customers in the Mission Integrated Command & Control (MIC2) organization.
Lockheed Martin. Your Mission is Ours.
THE WORK
Our Future Combat Systems team is seeking a full-time Project Engineer Staff (West Wing Lab Manager) to support development of the Integrated Combat System (ICS) and manage daily lab activity within the US Navy's West Wing test site.
In this role, you will have responsibility for the following:
Overall responsibility for day-to-day operations of the Mod X test team and suite within the West Wing
Direct interface with engineering, users, and site leads
Maintain overall schedule for all projects being planned for West Wing
Define and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to include, but not limited to: Scheduling, Configuration Management, Test Procedures, Test Reports, etc.
Define lab requirements based on Use Cases collected from development teams, baseline deployment efforts, and capability demonstrations
Manage/deconflict priorities across efforts and escalate scheduling conflicts to Forge Development Environment (FDE) Lead
Coordinate across site, security, hardware and software leads to support lab requirements (Test Suite Access and Training, Role-Based Access Management, Customer Tour/Demo Support, Equipment Installation/Classification, etc.)
Ensure lab policy is upheld through periodic walk throughs and inspection (Food & Drink Policy, prohibited items, safety issues, general lab cleanliness)
Manage Site Readiness and Equipment Status, including: Basic equipment troubleshooting to identify appropriate team(s) for resolution, driving trouble tickets to closure, equipment dispositioning
Plan and track site updates to support testing and lab configuration management
Produce bi-weekly status report to FDE Lead
This role will be based out of the US Navy's Forge Software Factory located in College Park, MD.
WHY JOIN US
Your Health, Your Wealth, Your Life
Our flexible schedules, competitive pay and comprehensive benefits enable you to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work.
Learn more about Lockheed Martin's competitive and comprehensive benefits package.

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About Lockheed Martin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a global security and aerospace company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies.The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and commercial sales of products, services and platforms.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1912