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Optical Lab Manager Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Rocket Lab

Senior DevOps Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR DEVOPS ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space ... management, and release/deployment solutions for programs * Automate software deployments into ...

QinetiQ US

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA · On-site

$100 - $135/hr

... lab to the field. Responsibilities * Provide optical subject matter expertise in support of ... Generate technical documentation and reports and convey or present the information to management ...

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All JobsOptical Lab JobsOptical Lab Manager JobsOptical Lab Manager Jobs in Washington

Optical Lab Manager information

See Washington salary details

$89.5K

$96.3K

$101.4K

How much do optical lab manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical lab manager in Washington is $96,270.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,400.00 and $99,100.00 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 Washington?

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

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

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

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

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

Optical Lab Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Lab Manager job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,270 per year, or $46.3 per hour.

ENGINEER 6 Lab Manager - TS/SCI Poly required

EMTAK LLC

Annapolis Junction, MD • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Lab Manager Engineer – Level 6
Clearance: TS/SCI FS Poly
 

We are seeking a Senior Lab Manager Engineer to support a complex engineering and laboratory environment. This position is responsible for managing lab space, coordinating lab activities, supporting facility and infrastructure planning, and ensuring hardware and network environments are properly configured, maintained, documented, and ready for mission requirements.

The ideal candidate will have a strong combination of systems engineering, laboratory management, networking, RF, infrastructure, and hands-on hardware experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Manage and coordinate lab space and lab activities
  • Develop lab space utilization plans, diagrams, and facility space planning support
  • Maintain milestone schedules for lab activities and buildouts
  • Coordinate staging areas and ensure teams remain within designated lab space
  • Redline LAN, wiring, and infrastructure drawings and coordinate updates with drafting resources
  • Monitor lab safety, cleanliness, organization, and overall readiness
  • Support ITF SSP efforts
  • Coordinate shipping, receiving, equipment movement, and inventory activities
  • Maintain equipment inventories, barcodes, rack elevations, and wiring documentation

Desired Technical Experience:

  • Servers and enterprise networking equipment
  • Networking and RF equipment
  • Racks, rack elevations, and rack power systems
  • Network and RF switches
  • Modems, digitizers, timing equipment, and receivers
  • NetApp storage
  • Kubernetes
  • Red Hat / RHEL
  • CentOS
  • Virtual machines / virtualization
  • RF configurations and EMI testing
  • GPS connections and configurations
  • Timing systems
  • Fiber optic connections
  • MUC connectivity
  • VPN connectivity between buildings
  • APC power systems and power whips
  • LAN and wire diagrams
  • STE/STN security requirements
  • ONEX

Qualifications:

  • Significant experience managing technical labs or complex engineering environments
  • Strong understanding of network, server, RF, and laboratory infrastructure
  • Ability to coordinate multiple technical teams, equipment, schedules, and facility requirements
  • Strong documentation and organizational skills
  • Ability to work hands-on with hardware and infrastructure when required
  • Experience working in classified or highly controlled environments is highly desirable
  • Active TS/SCI FS Poly

This is a senior-level position for an engineer who can take ownership of the lab environment, coordinate technical activities, and work across networking, systems, RF, hardware, and facility infrastructure.