Laboratory Manager and Structural Testing Engineer

Job Title: Laboratory Manager and Structural Testing Engineer

Job Number: 535065

Work type: Administrative & Professional

Senior management: College of Engineering

Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering

Location: Blacksburg, Virginia

Job Description

The Laboratory Manager and Structural Testing Engineer performs dual roles (1) management of activities at the Thomas M. Murray Structural Engineering and Materials Laboratory (https://sem.cee.vt.edu/research/facilities.html) to ensure safe and efficient operation and (2) coordinating and conducting structural engineering experimental research projects. As Laboratory Manager, this position will oversee daily activities, manage access and space at the lab, coordinate with faculty and staff, track and maintain equipment, oversee safety training, enforce safety rules, manage billing, train students on how to use equipment, maintain lab accreditation, and help plan tests. As Structural Testing Engineer, this position will market lab capabilities and accreditation, coordinate and plan projects with faculty and sponsors, help with contracting, set up and run tests, oversee students that assist with tests, and lead report writing. The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills, and excellent organizational, writing and leadership skills.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Experience with structural or materials testing.
• Experience with experimental methods, instrumentation and data acquisition.
• Demonstrated proficiency with common office computer programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to train and direct students and other personnel in safety procedures and construction environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management experience in an academic setting.
• Experience with business development such as contributing to proposals, leading client communications, and cultivating industry partnerships.
• Experience working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from a variety of technical and cultural backgrounds.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$80,000-$90,000, commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

Application review will begin on January 26, 2026 and continue until position is filled

Additional Information

Questions about the position can be directed to the search committee chair Dr. Eric Jacques, ejacques@vt.edu.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kira Ritter at kirafs81@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.