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.

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.

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+ days time off, including 23 days 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.