Laboratory Operations Manager
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND-01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
We are hiring a Laboratory Operations Manager to ensure our technical environments operate safely, efficiently, and professionally while enabling engineers and technicians to move at high velocity.
About the Role
As Laboratory Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of our laboratories, workshops, integration spaces, and prototype manufacturing environments.
Your primary objective is to ensure that all technical spaces are safe, compliant, organised, fully operational, and ready to support the needs of Engineering, Prototype Production, Data Collection Operations, and Product teams. You will provide leadership for laboratory operations and health & safety standards while partnering closely with stakeholders to enable high-velocity execution.
Reporting to the Global Workplace & Facilities Director, you will serve as the operational owner of our technical spaces, partnering closely with Engineering, Prototype Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Data Collection Operations, Product, IT, and Operations teams to ensure our facilities support the company’s ambitious product development goals.
Key Responsibilities
Health, Safety & Compliance
Lead laboratory health and safety programmes across engineering laboratories, workshops, prototype manufacturing areas, and testing environments
Develop and maintain risk assessments, safe systems of work, operating procedures, and training materials
Partner with Engineering, Prototype Production, Data Collection Operations, and Product teams to ensure activities are planned and executed safely and effectively
Establish clear safety standards, governance, and operating frameworks while supporting teams in achieving their operational objectives
Conduct regular inspections, audits, and workplace assessments
Investigate incidents, near misses, and safety concerns, ensuring appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented
Monitor compliance with applicable health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements
Promote a culture where safety, operational excellence, and engineering velocity coexist
Laboratory & Workshop Operations
Manage the day-to-day operation of laboratories, workshops, integration spaces, and technical work areas in the UK
Ensure spaces remain organised, functional, clean, and ready to support engineering activities
Coordinate laboratory access, scheduling, utilisation, and space allocation
Establish and maintain high standards of workplace organisation, visual management, and housekeeping
Support the setup and reconfiguration of spaces as engineering priorities evolve
Equipment, Tooling & Asset Management
Manage shared laboratory equipment, tools, fixtures, and technical assets
Establish preventative maintenance, calibration, inspection, and certification programmes
Maintain accurate inventories of equipment, consumables, materials, and tooling
Ensure critical equipment remains available, functional, and fit for purpose
Support procurement and replenishment activities for laboratory consumables and equipment
Engineering & Operational Support
Support Engineering, Prototype Production, Data Collection Operations, and Product teams with facility and equipment readiness
Coordinate laboratory requirements for integration, testing, debugging, data collection, demonstrations, and prototype build activities
Support installation, commissioning, relocation, and decommissioning of laboratory equipment
Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks impacting productivity and facility utilisation
Continuous Improvement
Develop and maintain KPIs covering safety, equipment uptime, utilisation, inventory accuracy, and operational performance
Implement systems and processes that improve efficiency, safety, and user experience
Drive 5S, visual management, and operational excellence initiatives throughout technical spaces
Support the Global Workplace & Facilities Director to standardise laboratory operations, health and safety practices, and technical space management across global sites
What We’re Looking For
5+ years of experience managing laboratories, workshops, prototype facilities, technical operations, or advanced manufacturing environments
Strong health and safety background, ideally supported by NEBOSH, IOSH, or equivalent qualifications
Experience supporting hardware development, robotics, aerospace, automotive, electronics, or other advanced engineering organisations
Strong understanding of laboratory equipment management, maintenance, calibration, and asset control
Proven ability to establish operational processes, standards, and systems in fast-paced environments
Highly organised, proactive, and detail-oriented
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
Comfortable balancing rigorous safety standards with the need for rapid engineering iteration
Bonus Points
Experience supporting robotics, mechatronics, electronics, or prototype manufacturing environments
Familiarity with ESD-controlled environments, machinery safety, electrical safety, and workshop operations
Experience implementing asset management, maintenance management, or laboratory management systems
Background in Lean, 5S, or operational excellence methodologies
What We Offer
Competitive equity: stock options with meaningful upside as we scale.
30+ paid days off, including 23 days of annual leave, all UK bank holidays, and additional company closure days (including Christmas-New Year shutdown).
Private healthcare, including virtual and in-person care.
Pension scheme with 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on full earnings.
Free daily breakfast, catered lunch, and snacks in-office.
Work at the frontier - collaborate daily with world-class engineers, researchers, and product experts building the next generation of AI and humanoid robotics.
Real ownership - direct access to founding leadership, meaningful input on product direction, and the ability to drive key initiatives from day one.