1

Lab Manager Jobs in Poway, CA (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a PCB Materials Lab Manager to lead the team and capabilities behind it - someone who sets the standard for quality, anticipates where our engineering needs are heading, and keeps ...

Verify test results with Lab Manager and log information * Check Stability of product samples weekly and log any changes * Input into Chemical Database all raw material samples * Put away all raw ...

Verify test results with Lab Manager and log information * Check Stability of product samples weekly and log any changes * Input into Chemical Database all raw material samples * Put away all raw ...

We're looking for a PCB Materials Lab Manager to lead the team and capabilities behind it - someone who sets the standard for quality, anticipates where our engineering needs are heading, and keeps ...

Lab Planner

San Diego, CA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

This position requires excellent communication and people skills as you will work closely with the Principals, Project Managers and Designers while assuming leadership for architectural lab ...

Lab Planner

San Diego, CA

$110K - $150K/yr

This position requires excellent communication and people skills as you will work closely with the Principals, Project Managers and Designers while assuming leadership for architectural lab ...

Lab Management Specialist ActioNet has an opportunity for a Lab Management Specialist requiring a Secret clearance located in San Diego County, CA. ActioNet is an IT service provider and solutions ...

Lab Management Specialist ActioNet has an opportunity for a Lab Management Specialist requiring a Secret clearance located in San Diego County, CA. ActioNet is an IT service provider and solutions ...

As the Lab Management Specialist, your tasks will include: * Perform security and access control of laboratory spaces. * Maintain and update logical network and hardware rack diagrams. * Maintain CMR ...

As the Lab Management Specialist, your tasks will include: * Perform security and access control of laboratory spaces. * Maintain and update logical network and hardware rack diagrams. * Maintain CMR ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Lab Manager information

See Poway, CA salary details

$33.2K

$94.1K

$152.4K

How much do lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for lab manager in Poway, CA is $94,072.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lab manager do?

A Lab Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a laboratory. Their duties typically include supervising staff, ensuring safety protocols are followed, managing inventory and ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Lab Managers also coordinate experiments and research activities, and may handle budgeting and administrative tasks. Their role is crucial in ensuring the lab runs efficiently and safely.

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

To thrive as a Lab Manager, you need expertise in laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and scientific analysis, typically supported by a degree in a relevant science field and prior lab experience. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), inventory software, and regulatory compliance certifications such as OSHA or CLIA is often required. Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills help manage teams, coordinate projects, and ensure accurate reporting. These abilities are vital for maintaining efficient lab operations, regulatory compliance, and a safe, collaborative work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by lab managers when overseeing a diverse research team?

Lab Managers often encounter challenges related to coordinating schedules, managing conflicting priorities among researchers, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Balancing administrative duties with hands-on support requires strong organizational skills and adaptability, especially when unexpected issues arise, such as equipment malfunctions or supply shortages. Effective communication is key to fostering collaboration and maintaining a productive work environment, as Lab Managers frequently serve as the bridge between researchers, technicians, and external vendors.

What is the difference between Lab Manager vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab ManagerLaboratory Technician
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant science, often with management experienceAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in a science or related field
Work EnvironmentOversees lab operations, manages staff, and ensures compliancePerforms routine tests, prepares samples, and maintains lab equipment
ResponsibilitiesSupervises staff, manages budgets, and coordinates projectsConducts experiments, records data, and maintains lab safety

The main difference between a Lab Manager and a Laboratory Technician lies in their responsibilities and level of oversight. Lab Managers focus on managing lab operations, staff, and compliance, while Laboratory Technicians handle hands-on testing and sample preparation. Both roles require relevant scientific credentials, but Lab Managers typically have more experience and managerial skills.

How much does a lab manager make?

The average salary for a lab manager in California ranges from $70,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and the industry sector. Salaries may also vary based on the size of the laboratory and specific responsibilities, such as overseeing staff, managing budgets, or ensuring compliance with safety standards.

What qualifications do you need to be a lab manager?

A lab manager typically needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or engineering, along with experience in laboratory operations. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential, and certifications like OSHA safety training or specific technical certifications can be advantageous.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab jobs in Poway, CA?

The most popular types of Lab jobs in Poway, CA are:

What cities near Poway, CA are hiring for Lab Manager jobs?

Cities near Poway, CA with the most Lab Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Lab Manager job openings in Poway, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 72% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,072 per year, or $45.2 per hour.

PCB Materials Lab Manager

San Diego, CA • On-site


Apple
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 678 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Here at Apple, the development and integration of revolutionary materials into our products is essential to the performance, reliability, and quality our customers have come to expect. These materials are a critical aspect of what makes Apple products the best in the world!
Our PD Materials Engineering team is dedicated to creating and refining these materials. We partner with product designers across the company, working with the utmost attention to detail to directly impact the design of products that millions of people around the world love. Sitting within Materials PD, our PCB Materials team is pushing the boundaries of performance in exciting new areas.
At the heart of that work is our San Diego materials lab, the experimental engine that turns tough materials questions into trusted answers. We're looking for a PCB Materials Lab Manager to lead the team and capabilities behind it - someone who sets the standard for quality, anticipates where our engineering needs are heading, and keeps the lab responsive, relevant, and always a step ahead. Could this be you?
Description
As the PCB Materials Lab Manager, you'll provide daily oversight to a team of characterization engineers (a third-party managed service), steering priorities to keep the lab responsive and delivering results in a timely, dependable manner. You'll serve as the primary point of contact between the lab and our broader Materials Engineering team - evaluating incoming requests, re-scoping or clarifying when needed, and earning the trust of partners through faithful, high-quality, on-time execution. The role is a blend of hands-on technical leadership and broader relationship management, and demands strong leadership, clear communication, and sound independent judgment.
The lab supports a wide range of thermo-mechanical and electrical characterization. On the thermo-mechanical side, this includes TMA, TGA, DMA, DSC, tensile testing, impact testing, surface morphology, and cross-section imaging. On the electrical and RF side, the lab characterizes the dielectric and high-frequency behavior of PCB materials and structures, from dielectric properties (Dk/Df) of low-loss materials to network analysis, RF probing of PCBs and Flexes, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. You won't need to be a master of every technique, but you'll be broadly familiar with most and a quick study on the rest - credible enough to be hands-on across many methods and to be an effective advocate when evaluating and acquiring new equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience
Experience in a hands-on materials characterization or testing lab
Hands-on experience with thermomechanical materials testing (e.g., TMA, TGA, DMA, DSC, tensile, impact) OR Familiarity with electrical and RF material characterization, such as dielectric (Dk/Df) measurement, probing, network analysis, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness
Demonstrated leadership and the ability to operate independently with sound judgment
Preferred Qualifications
Master's or PhD in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field
Knowledge of PCB or electronics materials (dielectrics, reinforcements, conductors)
Experience evaluating, specifying, and acquiring lab equipment, and working with outside equipment suppliers
Excellent communication skills and a track record of mentoring and developing engineers
Experience leading lab operations, including safety/compliance, resource planning, and cross-functional collaboration

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976


What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom