Overview
Element has an oppotunity for an Operations Manager who is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of a high-performance automotive testing laboratory in Warren, Michigan, supporting automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and other mobility technology customers. This role oversees laboratory personnel, test facilities, equipment, customer programs, scheduling, safety, quality, and operational performance across a broad range of automotive system and component testing capabilities.
The laboratory provides comprehensive automotive testing services, including full-vehicle and vehicle-system testing, electric vehicle (EV) battery testing, climatic and environmental simulation, electrical systems testing, fluid systems testing, hydraulic testing, vibration and mechanical shock testing, and related durability and qualification testing.
The Operations Manager serves as a key connection between laboratory operations, engineering, business development, project management, and customers. The position requires a strong understanding of automotive testing environments, laboratory management, test standards, instrumentation, equipment utilization, and the technical requirements of OEM and Tier 1 automotive programs.
Responsibilities
Lead daily operations of the automotive testing laboratory, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of customer testing programs
Manage laboratory personnel, including department managers, test engineers, and other technical staff
Establish staffing requirements, work assignments, shift coverage, and resource allocation based on customer demand and laboratory capacity
Develop and maintain operational processes that maximize laboratory throughput, equipment utilization, and customer responsiveness
Monitor laboratory capacity, scheduling, turnaround times, utilization, and operational performance
Identify bottlenecks and implement continuous-improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, productivity, quality, and profitability
Support capital planning and expansion of laboratory capabilities, equipment, and infrastructure
Skills / Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Applied Science, or a related technical discipline
7+ years of experience in automotive testing, validation, engineering, laboratory operations, or a closely related technical environment
3+ years of leadership or management experience in an automotive testing or laboratory environment
Experience working directly with automotive OEMs and/or Tier 1 suppliers
Demonstrated experience managing complex testing operations involving multiple concurrent customer programs
Strong understanding of automotive test and validation processes
Experience with laboratory equipment, instrumentation, data acquisition, and test systems
Strong understanding of laboratory safety, quality systems, equipment maintenance, and operational controls
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and manage competing priorities
Strong written, verbal, organizational, and customer-facing communication skill
Preferred
Experience with EV battery and high-voltage automotive testing
Experience with full-vehicle testing or vehicle-system validation
Experience with environmental/climatic chambers and environmental simulation
Experience with vibration, mechanical shock, durability, and structural testing
Experience with electrical/electronic systems testing
Experience with automotive fluid, thermal-management, cooling, or HVAC systems testing
Familiarity with ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory requirements
Familiarity with ASTM, SAE, ISO, IEC, and OEM-specific automotive test procedures
Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), ERP systems, scheduling software, or test-
management platforms
Experience with capital equipment planning and laboratory expansion
This position operates within a technically sophisticated automotive testing laboratory and requires regular interaction with engineering personnel,…