ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Laboratory Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ImmunityBio

Manager, Laboratory Operations

San Diego, CA · On-site

$130K/yr

Position Summary The Manager, Laboratory Operations will manage the Product Development Laboratory providing a productive and safe environment for research, cell banking, process and analytical work.

CBRE

Laboratory Operations Manager

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the Role The Laboratory Operations Manager is the operational backbone of day-to-day laboratory facility services at a cutting-edge life sciences client site. This is a hands-on, client ...

CBRE

Laboratory Operations Manager

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$135K/yr

Manages the day-to-day operations, ensuring services are provided in a cost-effective, safe, timely, and compliant manner in accordance with the approved budget and the contractual obligations ...

Certified Group

Laboratory Manager

Tustin, CA

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the laboratory to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of analytical results. This role oversees laboratory ...

PACE - Advanced Water Engineering

Be Seen First

Field and Laboratory Operations Technician

Fountain Valley, CA · On-site

$31 - $38/hr

PACE is seeking a Field and Laboratory Operations Technician with 3-5 years of start-up experience of projects in the environmental, water, construction, oil & gas, chemical, or power industries. As ...

Certified Group

Laboratory Manager

Tustin, CA · On-site

Laboratory Operations * Direct the day-to-day activities of laboratory staff, ensuring testing is performed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with quality standards and laboratory procedures.

HiredFirst

Laboratory Manager

Willits, CA · On-site

$3.6K/wk

Shift: Days Schedule: 5×8s (8:00am-4:30pm) Duration: 26 weeks We are seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to oversee laboratory operations, staff supervision, quality initiatives, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLaboratory Operations JobsLaboratory Operations Jobs in California

Laboratory Operations information

See California salary details

$12

$23

$37

How much do laboratory operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for laboratory operations in California is $23.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Laboratory Operations vs Laboratory Technicians?

AspectLaboratory OperationsLaboratory Technicians
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in a science or related fieldOften requires an associate degree or certification in laboratory techniques
Work EnvironmentOversees lab processes, manages workflows, and ensures compliancePerforms testing, prepares samples, and maintains equipment
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across research, clinical, and industrial labs for management rolesCommonly employed in clinical, medical, and research labs for technical tasks

Laboratory Operations roles focus on managing lab workflows, compliance, and overall lab efficiency, often requiring a bachelor's degree. Laboratory Technicians perform hands-on testing and sample preparation, typically with an associate degree or certification. While both work in laboratory settings, Laboratory Operations professionals handle oversight and coordination, whereas Laboratory Technicians execute technical tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Laboratory Operations, and how can they be managed effectively?

Professionals in Laboratory Operations often encounter challenges such as managing workflow bottlenecks, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and maintaining equipment reliability. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are essential to prioritize tasks and coordinate among team members. Proactively scheduling routine equipment maintenance and staying updated on regulatory changes can help minimize disruptions. Additionally, fostering a collaborative environment with researchers and technical staff supports smoother operations and problem-solving.

What are laboratory operations?

Laboratory operations refer to the management and coordination of activities within a laboratory to ensure accurate, efficient, and safe testing or research. This includes overseeing equipment maintenance, quality control, inventory management, compliance with safety regulations, and workflow optimization. Professionals in laboratory operations play a key role in supporting scientific, medical, or industrial projects by ensuring that all lab processes run smoothly and meet required standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Laboratory Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Laboratory Operations, you need a solid background in laboratory sciences, quality control, and management principles, usually supported by a degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), regulatory standards (such as CLIA or ISO), and safety protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication help ensure smooth workflow and compliance. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining accurate results, operational efficiency, and regulatory adherence in laboratory environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Laboratory Operations jobs in California? The most popular types of Laboratory Operations jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Laboratory Operations jobs in California? For Laboratory Operations jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Laboratory Operations jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Laboratory Operations jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Laboratory Operations jobs? Cities in California with the most Laboratory Operations job openings:
Laboratory Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Laboratory Operations job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $49,685 per year, or $23.9 per hour.
Associate Laboratory Operations

Associate Laboratory Operations

AstraZeneca

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

AstraZeneca rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 74 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

Associate, Laboratory Operations
Introduction to role:
Are you energized by keeping complex laboratories running so scientists can focus on breakthroughs that reach patients faster? In this full-time, onsite role based in Santa Monica, you will be the operational backbone for our Process Sciences and Analytical Technologies laboratory spaces, ensuring they are safe, ready, and compliant every day.
As the key link between scientific users, laboratory operations, site services, vendors, and other partners, you will turn plans into action-coordinating instruments, supplies, cold storage, and training so experiments start on time and stay on track. Your work reduces downtime, protects critical materials, and accelerates learning cycles that ultimately benefit patients.
This is a high-visibility position where operational discipline meets problem-solving. From orchestrating service visits to navigating a cold storage outage, you will make informed decisions that keep science moving. Do you thrive in fast-moving settings where your coordination turns potential setbacks into smooth recoveries?
Accountabilities:
  • Lab Operations Readiness: Maintain safe, organized, and efficient lab environments by overseeing common-use supplies, PPE, lab coats, glassware, and consumables; own stock replenishment, workspace organization, and cold storage coordination to minimize interruptions to scientific work.
  • Cold Storage Continuity: Lead or support freezer, refrigerator, and cold room cleanouts; coordinate responses during outages or repairs; track inventory moves and notify impacted users; execute and document backup storage actions for temperature-sensitive materials to protect integrity and continuity.
  • Instrument and Vendor Coordination: Maximize instrumentation uptime by scheduling maintenance, repairs, and service visits; act as the liaison for vendor access; keep lab users informed on service timing and status; partner with scientists to allocate lab space for instruments, reagents, and shared resources; ensure usage and operational activities are accurately tracked with Facilities and Lab Operations.
  • Inventory, Reagents and Materials Stewardship: Maintain inventories for common and selected critical reagents and consumables; monitor stock levels and coordinate timely replenishment; improve visibility and readiness through shared inventory systems and stewardship of communal materials.
  • Training, Communication and User Support: Onboard new lab users and visitors with clear inductions on operational practices, shared resources, and site expectations; provide training support for common workflows and, where appropriate, assist with assay or instrument-related training alongside scientific experts; communicate operational updates, service events, and issues promptly; facilitate problem-solving sessions and escalate thoughtfully when needed.
  • Safety, Quality and Compliance: Partner with lab users and safety representatives to uphold high standards of safety, compliance, and housekeeping; complete documentation in line with Good Documentation Practice; maintain required training in health, safety, security, environmental, and operational procedures; champion 5S and other continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Cross-Functional Partnership and Continuous Improvement: Work closely with scientists, operations colleagues, facilities, service providers, and site stakeholders to deliver seamless support; contribute to process improvements, operational documentation, resource-sharing tools, and knowledge transfer; cross-train and provide backup coverage; over time, standardize and scale best practices that enhance the laboratory user experience and operational efficiency.

Essential Skills/Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, laboratory operations, or a related field with 2+ years of laboratory support or operations experience.
  • Experience working in a laboratory, scientific operations, laboratory support, or a related environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and follow through on operational tasks.
  • Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Proficiency with standard digital tools used for communication, inventory tracking, scheduling, and documentation.

Desirable Skills/Experience:
  • Experience supporting laboratory operations in a biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, or regulated environment.
  • Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation coordination, reagent and consumable inventory management, and shared resource oversight.
  • Experience supporting onboarding, training, and workflow standardization in laboratory settings.
  • Knowledge of 5S, lean laboratory practices, cold storage management, and/or vendor and service coordination.
  • Experience working collaboratively with scientific teams while maintaining an operations-focused scope of responsibility.

Why AstraZeneca:
Here, operational excellence directly amplifies scientific impact. You will work at the forefront of science with the visibility and voice to influence how teams deliver results, partnering with diverse experts to unlock smarter, faster ways of working. Expect a supportive environment that pairs ambition with kindness, where unexpected teams gather in the same room to unleash bold thinking, and where even setbacks become shared learning that moves us forward. Your contribution will protect critical research, speed decisions, and ultimately help deliver medicines to patients who need them-while you grow your skills across cutting-edge technologies and collaborative networks recognized across the enterprise.
Own the heartbeat of our Santa Monica labs and turn operational excellence into patient impact-submit your application today to shape how breakthroughs happen!
The annual base pay for this position ranges from $90,960 to $136,441. Our positions offer eligibility for various incentives-an opportunity to receive short-term incentive bonuses, equity-based awards for salaried roles and commissions for sales roles. Benefits offered include qualified retirement programs, paid time off (i.e., vacation, holiday, and leaves), as well as health, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.
Date Posted
14-Jul-2026
Closing Date
20-Jul-2026
Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.

What AstraZeneca employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply