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Optical Lab Manager Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lab Manager

Lexington, MA · On-site

Minimum Qualifications Graduation from a two-year technical school in Electronics, Electro-Optical ... managing laboratories and people, and familiarity with general laboratory equipment and safety.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lab Manager

Lexington, MA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Minimum Qualifications Graduation from a two-year technical school in Electronics, Electro-Optical ... managing laboratories and people, and familiarity with general laboratory equipment and safety.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lab Manager

Lexington, MA · On-site

Minimum Qualifications Graduation from a two-year technical school in Electronics, Electro-Optical ... managing laboratories and people, and familiarity with general laboratory equipment and safety.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lab Manager

Lexington, MA · On-site

Minimum Qualifications Graduation from a two-year technical school in Electronics, Electro-Optical ... managing laboratories and people, and familiarity with general laboratory equipment and safety.

Optikos, LLC.

Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA

$80K - $105K/yr

... managing all aspects of instrument design, including optics, mechanics, electronics, and software systems, in addition to our in-house IQ Lab Services to benchmark and assess the performance of ...

Novanta

Sr. Optical Engineer

Bedford, MA

$130K - $175K/yr

Establish and manage optical performance budgets while balancing performance, manufacturability ... Hands-on lab experience in optical testing, metrology and characterization * Hands-on experience ...

Novanta Inc.

Sr. Optical Engineer

Bedford, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Establish and manage optical performance budgets while balancing performance, manufacturability ... Hands‑on lab experience in optical testing, metrology and characterization * Hands‑on ...

Novanta, Inc.

Sr. Optical Engineer

Bedford, MA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

Establish and manage optical performance budgets while balancing performance, manufacturability ... Hands-on lab experience in optical testing, metrology and characterization * Hands-on experience ...

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Optical Lab Manager information

See Massachusetts salary details

$86.3K

$92.8K

$97.7K

How much do optical lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical lab manager in Massachusetts is $92,830.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,100.00 and $95,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical lab manager do?

An Optical Lab Manager oversees the daily operations of an optical laboratory, where eyeglasses and lenses are manufactured and assembled. Their responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring quality control, maintaining equipment, and overseeing inventory. They also work closely with optometrists and opticians to ensure prescriptions are accurately fulfilled and that safety and industry standards are met. Additionally, they may handle budgeting, training, and implementing new technologies or processes to improve efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical lab manager?

To thrive as an Optical Lab Manager, you need expertise in optical sciences, lens manufacturing processes, and quality control, typically supported by experience in optical labs or a related technical degree. Familiarity with lens surfacing equipment, edging machines, and lab management software is essential, along with certifications such as ABO-NCLE or equivalent. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help manage teams and ensure workflow efficiency. These skills and qualities are crucial for maintaining high production standards, minimizing errors, and delivering excellent customer service in a laboratory environment.

What are some common challenges faced by optical lab managers, and how can they be addressed?

Optical Lab Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining high-quality standards while meeting tight production deadlines and managing a diverse team of technicians. Keeping up with rapidly advancing lens technologies and equipment can also be demanding. Addressing these challenges involves implementing robust quality control systems, providing ongoing staff training, and fostering strong communication between the lab team and optometrists. Effective inventory management and staying informed about industry best practices also help ensure smooth operations.

What is the difference between Optical Lab Manager vs Optical Lab Technician?

AspectOptical Lab ManagerOptical Lab Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer certifications in optical technologyHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical training or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentOversees lab operations, manages staff, and ensures quality controlPerforms lens cutting, fitting, and assembly under supervision
Industry UsageUsed in optical labs, eyewear manufacturing, and retail optical storesCommonly employed in optical labs and retail optical settings

The Optical Lab Manager focuses on overseeing lab operations, managing staff, and maintaining quality standards, while the Optical Lab Technician handles the hands-on production of lenses and eyewear. Both roles are essential in optical manufacturing but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Lab Manager jobs in Massachusetts?

For Optical Lab Manager jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Lab Manager jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Lab Manager jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Optical Lab Manager jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Optical Lab Manager job openings:

Optical Lab Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Lab Manager job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,830 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Lab Manager

MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Lexington, MA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the organization and management of all group laboratory spaces, including collaboration with technical staff and group leadership.

  • Maintain and support the group's RF test infrastructure, including scheduling annual maintenance to ensure continued operation.

  • Supervise group technicians, assign daily activities, review work products, and participate in hiring and performance reviews.

Job description

The Tactical Satellite Communications Group is developing technologies and analysis for some of the most advanced communication systems in the world.  The Group is involved in a synergistic combination of research, prototyping, and experimentation efforts focused on the goals of enhancing the capability and robustness of future generations of communications satellites and systems.

Position Description

The Tactical Satellite Communications Group seeks a full time laboratory manager to be responsible for the following:

  • Lead the organization and management of all group laboratory spaces in collaboration with technical staff and group leadership.
  • Organize and manage all warehousing and storage spaces (located both on-site and off-site) to facilitate efficient utilization of group laboratory spaces.
  • Maintain group laboratory spaces in collaboration with Lincoln Laboratory service departments; oversee work orders through completion to support upgrades and reconfiguration of laboratory spaces as needed.
  • Maintain and support the group's extensive group RF test infrastructure (e.g., antennas, test equipment), including scheduling annual maintenance to ensure continued operation.
  • Develop strong working knowledge of all labs, active experiments, and planned changes or decommissioning. Meet regularly with lab end-users to gather data and implement plans that ensure space is well utilized, safe, clean, and organized.
  • Supervise group technicians, which includes assigning daily activities in coordination with technical staff, reviewing work products, and conducting annual performance reviews.
  • Participate in the hiring and interview process for new technicians.
  • Serve as the Groups' Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Representative and work directly with both the technical staff and Lincoln Laboratory EHS Department in support of overall safety. Support the group with safety, orientation, and protocol training.
  • Ensure group's laboratory spaces are prepared for and successfully pass annual safety inspections.
  • Manage group's laboratory property inventory across the program lifecycle, including loans, shipments, inventory, and audits.
  • Facilitate the selection, purchasing, receipt, installation, maintenance, and disposal of lab equipment and material. Develop a strong working knowledge of vendor community and offerings. Work with lab end-users to gather requirements, communicate with vendors, submit purchase requests, and track procurements through receipts and installation.
Additional Information

Develop expertise in SAP/SRM, and other internal systems that support these processes.

Liaise with internal departments such as Property, Facilities, and Safety to execute additions, moves, and changes to equipment and lab spaces; stay current on all operating procedures and proactively support various audit requests.

Support field site work by arranging for crating, shipping, return, and storage of equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from a two-year technical school in Electronics, Electro-Optical, Electro-Mechanical, or Software design from an accredited technical institute or its equivalent and/or 5+ years of directly related experience managing laboratories and people, and familiarity with general laboratory equipment and safety.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team, as well as delegate work to others, in a fast-paced and growing environment.

Familiarity with the use of Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for recording experimental data as well as configuration control tools such as GitHub.

Hiring Range: $89,400-$123,400

Disclaimer: MIT Lincoln Laboratory provides a typical hiring range as a good faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to offer for this position at the time of posting. The final salary offered to a selected candidate will depend on various factors, including-but not limited to-the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, skills and education/training, internal equity considerations and applicable legal requirements. This range reflects base salary only and does not include additional forms of compensation or benefits.

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, our exceptional career opportunities include many outstanding benefits to help you stay healthy, feel supported, and enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance. Benefits offered to employees include: 

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
  • MIT-funded pension
  • Matching 401K
  • Paid leave (including vacation, sick, parental, military, etc.)
  • Tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs
  • Mentorship programs
  • A range of work-life balance options
  • ... and much more!  

Please visit our Benefits page for more information. As an employee of MIT, you can also take advantage of other voluntary benefits, discounts and perks.

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

Requisition ID: 43268 

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