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+ 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.