Department Manager, Dynamic Lab

Element is seeking a results-driven Department Manager to lead our Dynamic Lab, specializing in fatigue and cyclic testing. As the Department Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, managing a technical team, and ensuring the lab meets financial and operational performance targets. This leadership role is pivotal in maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency while supporting some of the most advanced aerospace and engineering projects in the world.

Compensation: $90,000 - $120,000/year (depending on experience)

Operational Leadership:

Oversee scheduling, resource planning, and workflow optimization in the fatigue testing lab

• Ensure test programs are executed safely, on time, and in compliance with customer and industry requirements

• Drive continuous improvement in lab processes, turnaround time, and quality

Financial Management (P&L Ownership):

• Manage departmental budget including revenue forecasting, cost control, and margin improvement

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue

• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains, revenue growth, and capital investment justification

Utilization & Capacity Planning:

• Maximize test cell and equipment utilization across multiple shifts or customer programs

• Analyze capacity and demand forecasts; adjust staffing and resources accordingly

• Collaborate with sales, planning, and engineering teams to align lab capacity with project timelines

Staff Management & Development:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of technicians, engineers, and support staff

• Set performance expectations, conduct evaluations, and provide ongoing feedback

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence

Client & Quality Interface:

• Support customer communication regarding technical queries, program updates, and issue resolution

• Ensure compliance with quality standards (e.g., Nadcap, ISO/IEC 17025, AS9100)

• Participate in internal and external audits as needed

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field

• 5+ years of experience in fatigue or mechanical testing environments, which would include fatigue tests using strain control and /or load control to ASTM standards.

• Knowledge of fracture mechanics and crack growth rate testing to ASTM standards would be preferred.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills

• Experience with ERP and lab management systems; familiarity with XLims is a plus

Element is one of the fastest growing testing, inspection and certification businesses in the world. Globally we have more than 9,000 brilliant minds operating from 270 sites across 30 countries. Together we share an ambitious purpose to 'Make tomorrow safer than today'.

When failure in use is not an option, we help customers make certain that their products, materials, processes and services are safe, compliant and fit for purpose. From early R&D, through complex regulatory approvals and into production, our global laboratory network of scientists, engineers, and technologists support customers to achieve assurance over product quality, sustainable outcomes, and market access.

While we are proud of our global reach, working at Element feels like being part of a smaller company. We empower you to take charge of your career, and reward excellence and integrity with growth and development.

Industries across the world depend on our care, attention to detail and the absolute accuracy of our work. The role we have to play in creating a safer world is much bigger than our organization.

At Element, we always take pride in putting our people first. We are an equal opportunity employer that recognizes diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our Vision of becoming "the world's most trusted testing partner".

All suitably qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective work related criteria and without regard for the following: age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, race, religion, responsibility of dependents, sexual orientation, or gender identity or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws or other characteristics in accordance with the applicable governing laws.