Job Title:  Laboratory Manager

Package:  Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID:     SF19751

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Laboratory Manager at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role
As a Laboratory Manager, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safe, efficient and high-quality operation of our specialist laboratories and facilities, enabling world-class research and technology development to take place.

Day-to-day, you’ll coordinate the smooth running of several laboratories at our Farnborough site — ensuring equipment is maintained, safety and governance standards are upheld, facilities are efficiently utilised, and operational needs of internal teams, external customers and contractors are fully supported.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining a safe, compliant and well‑organised working environment across multiple laboratories and specialist facilities
• Coordinating day‑to‑day laboratory operations, ensuring equipment, resources and facilities are effectively utilised
• Ensuring all H&S, security, governance and assurance documentation is accurate, up to date and fully adhered to
• Managing equipment calibration, maintenance schedules and asset records in line with statutory and OEM requirements
• Supporting internal teams, customers and contractors by planning, deconflicting and enabling access to facilities
• Organising contractors, supporting procurement activity and contributing to local change and improvement projects

Essential experience of the Laboratory Manager: 

• Experience of managing laboratories or technical facilities, including day‑to‑day operational oversight
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety, governance and security requirements within a laboratory or technical environment
• Experience conducting hazard management, risk assessments, COSHH assessments and supporting HSE audits
• Background in an engineering or allied science discipline such as electrical, electronic, instrumentation or chemistry
• Experience managing equipment calibration, maintenance and asset records across multiple facilities
• Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to work across varied technical domains

Essential qualifications for the Laboratory Manager:

• City & Guilds, BTEC or Foundation Degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or science‑related discipline
• IOSH/NEBOSH, Risk Assessment or COSHH‑related training (or willingness to work towards)

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you. 

This role is 37 hours per week based at Farnborough.

Farnborough

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported.  If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)