Engineering Technician Manager

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an Engineering Technician Manager at UL Research Institutes, based in our Columbia, Maryland office.

The Engineering Technician Manager oversees the operational and administrative activities of field-based research operations. This role ensures efficient management of field staff, the design, build and usage of research apparatus, compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and effective communication between the engineering technicians, research engineers, amplification personnel and any applicable stakeholder groups. The technician manager coordinates fieldwork, schedules staff, oversees logistics, and ensures the quality of field construction, experimentation and data collection, contributing to the organizations overall success. This role provides technical leadership and oversight to both engineering technician staff as well as field-based testing in the research institute

UL Research Institutes:

At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.

Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Fire Safety teams who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.

Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI)

UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) advances fire safety knowledge to address the world's unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. As part of UL Research Institutes, we are committed to sharing our fire safety insights with everyone to advance UL's public safety mission of providing safe living and working environments for people everywhere. Through advanced fire science, rigorous research, extensive outreach, and education in collaboration with our international network of partners, we share with stakeholders the information, tools, and resources that enable them to make better, more fire-safe decisions that ultimately save lives and property. To learn more, visit FSRI.org.

What you'll learn and achieve:

As the Engineering Technician Manager, you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:

• Plan, organize, and supervise field-based activities to ensure efficient, accurate, and high-quality data collection. Oversee the setup and performance of specialized equipment and instrumentation, adapting or building custom setups as needed to meet experimental requirements.

• Assemble instrumentation in accordance with schematics, wiring diagrams, and operational procedures. Follow defined instrumentation plans and test protocols, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

• Train, mentor, and supervise field staff to ensure high performance and professional growth. Conduct performance evaluations and support ongoing staff development.

• Work closely with research engineers and technical teams to meet project timelines and quality benchmarks. Interpret and execute research instructions to build or modify test fixtures and instrumentation.

• Manage team schedules, field resources, and travel logistics to ensure smooth and efficient field operations.

• Lead the inspection, maintenance, and repair of research instrumentation. Ensure staff understand equipment operation principles and provide necessary support. Oversee the use and upkeep of machines, tools, and specialized research equipment.

• Ensure all field activities adhere to safety regulations, quality assurance protocols, and standard operating procedures. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.

• Maintain comprehensive records of field activities, including construction, experimental timelines, and outcomes. Provide regular updates to research teams and act as a liaison for field-related communications.

• Collaborate with research teams to customize field services as needed. Address operational concerns promptly and effectively.

• Monitor and manage field equipment inventory, maintenance schedules, and calibration activities. Control budgets related to field operations and ensure cost-effective practices.

• Develop, enforce, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs). Recommend enhancements to equipment designs and propose solutions to recurring operational issues.

• Contribute to and/or lead other department specific and cross-functional initiatives.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes: We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.

• People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.

• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.

• Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.

• Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.

• Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:

While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:

• Proven ability to lead and manage operations within a large-scale research environment.

• Advanced expertise in the safe and effective use of machinery and power tools.

• High-level proficiency in measurement instrumentation, including calibration, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.

• Extensive knowledge of building construction methods, standards, and best practices.

• Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams.

• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical information.

• Effective interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

• Meticulous attention to detail and strong time management capabilities.

• Ability to adapt and perform well in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

• Resilience in handling unexpected challenges and working under pressure.

• Commitment to fostering and maintaining a culture of safety in all operations.

• Ability to implement and enforce safety protocols and deliver effective safety training.

• Proficiency in CAD software, video editing tools, and version control platforms such as GitHub is a plus.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:

• Bachelor's degree in technical or science related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in laboratory operations, fieldwork, or related areas.

• Minimum 2 years of leadership or management experience.

• Firefighting certification and Commercial Driver's License, preferred.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement

UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.

Our affiliate, UL Solutions, stands alongside us in working for a safer and more sustainable world. UL Solutions conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools, for customers around the world.

To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.

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