Lab Operations Manager

Job#: 3010182

Job Description:

Lab Operations Manager

Location: San Diego, CA

Type: 1+ Year Contract (potential to extend or convert)

Benefits: Holiday Pay, Sick Leave, PTO, Weekly Pay, Medical Insurance and 401K

*This is NOT a people management role - this is focusing on the management of laboratory equipment and operations*

About Project Kuiper:

Project Kuiper is Amazon's initiative to deploy a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will deliver fast, affordable broadband connectivity to communities around the world. The Digital RF Systems team builds the hardware, test infrastructure, and automation that power Kuiper's digital communication and signal processing chain - from high-speed data converters to system-level integration and verification.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Lab Manager for the Digital RF Systems team, you will lead operations for a complex engineering lab that supports the design, development, and validation of advanced digital and mixed-signal RF systems. You will manage day-to-day lab activities, maintain high-performance test environments, and enable engineers to execute cutting-edge experiments with precision and efficiency.

Core duties include:

• Oversee all lab operations supporting digital RF hardware, including data converters, clocking systems, and digital front ends.
• Equipment ordering and planning: ordering RF equipment, cables, boards, PC, monitors and anything that need for setup the bench. Setup benches and equipment for different projects. Organizing and cleaning the lab.
• Contact equipment vendors for software license/new features/issues with the equipment
• Maintain and calibrate lab instrumentation (e.g., vector signal analyzers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, RF test sets, high-speed digitizers).
• Develop and maintain Python-based automation scripts for test instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis workflows.
• Manage equipment inventory, calibration schedules, and configuration tracking for test setups and hardware prototypes.
• Coordinate lab usage across multiple engineering groups, balancing schedules for design validation, integration, and hardware bring-up activities.
• Implement and enforce lab safety protocols, ESD protection, and configuration management procedures.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and systems engineers to develop automated test setups for digital RF signal chains.
• Support infrastructure planning, procurement, and maintenance of specialized RF and digital test equipment.
• Drive process improvements in data collection, test reproducibility, and lab workflow automation.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing or operating RF or digital hardware test labs.
• Strong hands-on experience with RF and high-speed digital instrumentation (e.g., spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, vector signal generators, power meters).
• RF power equipment exp: vector signal analyzers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, RF test sets, high-speed digitizers
• Demonstrated proficiency in Python for lab automation and test scripting (e.g., PyVISA, SCPI control, NumPy, pandas, matplotlib).
• Experience managing lab infrastructure, safety, and equipment lifecycle.
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and communication skills with a focus on cross-functional support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience with digital RF architectures, including data converters, clocking systems, and digital signal processing chains.
• Familiarity with test automation frameworks (TestStand, LabVIEW, or custom Python-based systems).
• Background in satellite communications, wireless systems, or aerospace hardware development.
• Proven ability to establish efficient lab processes and lead lab technicians or support staff.
• Experience in environments requiring high reliability, traceability, and test repeatability.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.