Lab Manager

The Company MaverickX is revitalizing critical resource extraction with precision biologics. We are a team of scientists, engineers, and business operators who are bringing cutting-edge biotechnology products to the world’s most critical industries. The Role The Lab Manager is a key role at MaverickX with a comprehensive scope: you will own lab operations for the entire company — our Austin R&D lab, our Pleasanton manufacturing facility, and any additional labs we stand up at new facilities as we grow. That means owning the systems that keep every lab running — inventory, equipment, lab organization, and safety — and setting the standard so each site operates the same way. On a team of 20, you will set up and run the lab’s operating systems, work directly with scientists and plant staff, and pitch in on bench and production work when the team needs it. The ideal candidate has run lab operations in a biology or chemistry lab, builds systems other people can follow, and is comfortable with changing priorities in a small, fast-moving company. This is a multi-site, on-site role. You are required to be physically present at both the Austin and Pleasanton sites every week, which means regular weekly travel between the two locations (roughly 1.5 hours apart), plus travel to any new facilities as they come online. You can be based in either Austin or the San Antonio/Pleasanton area and will typically spend three days a week at your home site and two days a week at the other site, adjusted to what each lab needs that week. Candidates who cannot commit to being on site at both locations every week will not be a fit for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Inventory and purchasing

– Own ordering for lab consumables, chemicals, media, and PPE across all company lab sites – Maintain the chemical and media inventory system and Safety Data Sheets – Run regular inventory counts and set reorder points for critical materials – Manage vendor accounts, request quotes, and track purchase orders through delivery – Handle receiving and shipping, including packaging and documentation for samples and hazardous materials

• Equipment

– Maintain the equipment register: certifications, calibrations, service contracts, and due dates

– Schedule and coordinate vendor service, calibrations, and certifications – Perform routine maintenance and first-line troubleshooting on lab equipment (autoclaves, biosafety cabinets, incubators, shakers, freezers, balances, pH meters); repairs go through vendors – Onboard new equipment: installation, qualification records, and training the team on its use

• Lab organization and readiness

– Keep every company lab organized, labeled, and ready for work, including freezer and strain stock organization – Run glassware washing, autoclaving, and media preparation, and keep those schedules staffed – Organize regularly scheduled lab cleanings and maintain lab standards – Serve as the lab’s point of contact with Operations for facilities issues (HVAC, water, gas, power, pest control) – Stand up lab operations at new facilities as the company expands: layout, equipment, inventory systems, and safety programs, so a new lab opens ready to run

• Safety and compliance

– Own the chemical hygiene plan, biosafety documentation, and safety training records for all company lab sites – Maintain compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, including the OSHA Hazard Communication and Laboratory Standards, EPA and TCEQ hazardous waste rules, and DOT requirements for shipping hazardous materials, and follow CDC/NIH BSL-2 guidelines – Inspect safety equipment on a set schedule (eyewash stations, showers, fire extinguishers, spill kits) and keep every lab inspection-ready – Manage hazardous and biological waste: segregation, labeling, storage, and scheduled pickups – Deliver safety training and lab onboarding for new employees and visitors, and lead incident reporting and follow-up

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of BSL-2 practices and chemical safety
• Knowledge of laboratory instrumentation and testing procedures
• Strong organization and attention to detail; builds systems other people can follow
• Good time management, prioritization, and independent judgment
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Ability to work under sustained high pressure and collaborate in a small team
• Comfortable with changing priorities in a start-up
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds, stand for extended periods, work in PPE, and work with

chemicals and BSL-2 organisms following established safety procedures

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related life sciences

field

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in a laboratory setting, including at least 1 year

with responsibility for lab operations (inventory, equipment, or safety)

• Experience maintaining inventory, calibration, or compliance records
• Valid driver’s license and the ability and willingness to be on site at both Austin and

Pleasanton every week (typically three days at your home site and two at the other), including travel to any additional lab locations the company opens

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a bioprocess, fermentation, or industrial microbiology lab
• Prior experience running a lab safety or chemical hygiene program
• Experience setting up a new lab or lab operating system from scratch
• Familiarity with DOT/IATA shipping of hazardous materials
• Experience supervising technicians or coordinating work across a team
• Experience with an electronic inventory or ELN system

Our Values

• Customer First: Our first and foremost priority is to give customers technology that makes their business more valuable. There is no deviation from this north star
• Play to Win: This is a professional team, not a family. Hardcore work ethic is a baseline; measurable impact is how we define success
• Extreme Ownership: We are self-starters who learn voraciously, master our domain, and take full accountability for the outcomes of our work
• Relentless Execution: A good idea is meaningless until it is solving a customer problem. Moving with speed, focus, and determination is how we win in our industry
• Radical Candor: Focused, direct, and impactful communication is our language. No time for beating around the bush
• Shared Success: Meaningful equity participation for employees means that when MaverickX wins, everyone wins
• Uncompromised Integrity: We do first-class business in a first-class way, while staying loyal to our customers, shareholders, employees, and country

Benefits

• At Maverick X, our compensation packages reflect our recognition of the value our employees bring to our success and our commitment to recruiting top talent. We cater our benefits to ensure our team succeeds both in and out of the office
• Premium health insurance: With medical, dental, and optical options, we offer some of the best coverage on the market
• Continuing education: We take employee development seriously and strive to unlock our team’s full potential through continuous learning initiatives