What are the responsibilities and job description for the Laboratory Operations Coordinator position at American Engineering Testing Inc?
About Us
At American Engineering Testing (AET), we believe that people are the heart of innovation. We create an environment that values teamwork, curiosity, and continuous improvement while delivering innovative engineering and consulting solutions. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we deliver comprehensive testing, analysis, and design to reduce uncertainty in construction projects and offer rewarding work, exceptional training, and career development opportunities.
Job Summary
The Laboratory Operations Coordinator supports the efficient operation of the Concrete Materials Laboratory by coordinating project administration, laboratory workflows, sample and inventory management, equipment calibration, and quality and safety documentation. This position maintains accurate records, supports compliance with applicable laboratory standards and accreditation requirements, and coordinates activities related to proficiency testing, inspections, and audits.
Working closely with laboratory personnel, engineers, project managers, and external service providers, the Laboratory Operations Coordinator helps ensure laboratory activities are organized, properly documented, and completed in accordance with established procedures and project requirements.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodation or workable solutions may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Provide comprehensive administrative support throughout the project lifecycle, including project setup, documentation, invoicing, and closeout.
- Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and laboratory personnel to ensure accurate project information, data entry, and tracking in company business systems.
- Prepare, format, and maintain technical documentation and proposals in accordance with company standards.
- Perform daily laboratory administrative operations, including coordinating sample handling, subsampling, and material availability for scheduled laboratory activities in accordance with established procedures and project requirements.
- Manage the complete sample inventory lifecycle, including receipt, tracking, storage, retention, disposal, and maintenance of accurate sample records and chain-of-custody documentation.
- Partner with laboratory leadership to identify and implement process improvements that enhance laboratory administrative operations, workflows, and overall efficiency.
- Maintain laboratory quality documentation and ensure adherence to applicable ASTM, AASHTO, CCRL, and internal quality assurance requirements.
- Manage administrative requirements for laboratory proficiency testing programs, including scheduling, documentation, submissions, and compliance tracking.
- Maintain laboratory chemical safety documentation and ensure proper chemical storage, labeling, and hazard communication practices in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Manage laboratory equipment inventories, calibration schedules, maintenance records, and associated quality documentation, including coordinating calibration, repairs, and certification activities with external service providers.
- Facilitate laboratory audits, inspections, and accreditation assessments, including documentation preparation, coordination of activities, and corrective action tracking.
- Manage laboratory inventory levels and coordinate replenishment of chemicals, materials, consumables, and supplies.
- Safely operate forklifts and other authorized material-handling equipment in accordance with established safety procedures.
- Remain current on laboratory quality processes, accreditation requirements, safety regulations, and operational best practices.
- Perform other related duties as assigned to support laboratory operations and business needs.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities. The role works collaboratively with laboratory personnel, project managers, quality staff, and external vendors to support laboratory operations and compliance objectives.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- High School diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Geology, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience in laboratory operations, project administration, quality documentation, inventory management, or related field.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and meet established deadlines.
- Experience maintaining accurate operational records, inventory documentation, and quality or compliance-related records.
- Strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.
- Forklift certification or ability to complete company-provided forklift operator training and obtain required authorization to operate forklifts within the first 30 days of employment.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with business systems such as Dynamics, Qest, or similar software.
- Experience with laboratory information management systems, sample tracking, inventory management, or laboratory quality documentation.
- Familiarity with ASTM and AASHTO standards, CCRL programs, and laboratory accreditation or quality assurance requirements.
- Experience coordinating equipment calibration, maintenance schedules, and related quality documentation.
- Knowledge of laboratory chemical safety practices, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical labeling, storage, and hazard communication requirements.
- Experience preparing documentation and coordinating activities for laboratory inspections, audits, accreditation assessments, or corrective action processes.
- Experience supporting project administration, invoicing, and financial tracking.
Pay Transparency
Base compensation is expected to be in the range of $62,000 - $75,000 per year based on skill set and experience. AET offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health benefits, insurance, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), long term savings, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. The selected candidate must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Work Environment
This position operates in both a professional office and laboratory environment. The role involves routine use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers) and laboratory instruments. Operation of forklifts and material-handling equipment may be required in laboratory and warehouse storage areas. Occasional fieldwork or site visits may be required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands or fingers, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Third Party Disclosure
Salary : $62,000 - $75,000