Element has an opportunity for an experienced Department Manager to lead operations across both aerospace and construction materials testing (CME). This is a key leadership role responsible for overseeing daily operations, ensuring quality and safety compliance, managing a cross-functional team, and driving process efficiency and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate brings proven leadership in testing environments and expertise in construction materials.

Salary: $100,000 - $140,000/yr DOE 

Leadership & Operations
• Host daily production and shift meetings to review performance and plan upcoming work.
• Conduct regular floor walks, engaging with technicians and supervisors to proactively address issues.
• Plan, assign, and schedule work across both aerospace and CMT labs to meet operational and customer delivery goals.
• Ensure job queues are progressing, jobs are properly transitioned to shipping, and shift continuity is maintained.
• Collaborate with planning and scheduling teams to align workload with lab capacity and priorities.
• Track and improve operational metrics.
• Fleet and equipment management
Quality & Safety
• Lead department safety performance through inspections, training, and enforcement of safety policies.
• Conduct 5S audits and team reviews to ensure quality and procedural compliance.
• Investigate nonconformances (NCRs), perform root cause analysis, and support corrective actions.
• Ensure timely completion of machine PMs, tank testing, and calibration requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards including ASTM, AASHTO, ACI.
Construction Materials Testing (CME)
• Oversee testing and reporting for construction materials: soils, concrete, asphalt, and aggregates.
• Ensure field testing services (e.g., compaction testing, concrete sampling, site inspection) meet client and DOT standards.
• Maintain compliance with ACI and state DOT requirements; manage certified field technicians.
• Liaise with civil engineers, contractors, and municipal clients to deliver results and resolve issues.
Process Improvement & Client Engagement
• Promote 5S initiatives to improve throughput and reduce waste.
• Translate technical client requirements into test plans, schedules, and accurate quotes.
• Identify and implement improvements in capacity planning, workflow, and service offerings.
• Serve as a technical contact for client communications and project coordination.
People Management & Development
• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse team of aerospace and CMT technicians.
• Handle recruiting, onboarding, training, shift scheduling, and performance reviews.
• Foster a culture of respect, accountability, safety, and continuous learning.
• Address team issues constructively and drive engagement and career development.
Administrative & Technical Support
• Provide timely updates to clients and stakeholders on project status and technical issues.
• Support invoicing, reporting, and other administrative functions as needed.
• Represent Element professionally in all internal and external communications.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Materials Science, or related field. P.E preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in aerospace testing, construction materials testing, or a high-regulation environment.
• ACI certification; experience in concrete, soils and compaction testing strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with ASTM, AASHTO, and DOT standards.
• Strong grasp of quality systems, testing protocols, and safety best practices in lab and field settings.
• Hands-on leadership style with strong organizational and communication skills.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills; ability to interpret technical drawings/specs.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident due to export compliance regulations.

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.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) 

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