Manager of Lab Strategy & Technical Operations (Smart Utility)

TL;DR

Manager of Lab Strategy & Technical Operations (Smart Utility): Managing technical support, strategy, and governance for a multi-disciplinary Advanced Technology Lab with an accent on operational technology (OT), networking, and infrastructure platforms. Focus on coordinating cross-discipline lab activities, optimizing physical layout, and ensuring system reliability for project delivery and client demonstrations.

Location: Hybrid (Overland Park, KS, US)

Company

A 100% ESOP-owned global company with over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure, engineering, and consulting.

What you will do

• Establish and maintain the governance model, roles, and responsibilities for the multi-disciplinary lab.
• Perform hands-on technical activities including equipment racking, cabling, and power management for IT and OT systems.
• Maintain core lab network infrastructure, including switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless services.
• Configure and troubleshoot a wide range of OT and utility equipment for electric grid, water, and communication systems.
• Manage lab inventory, asset tracking, and strategic vendor relationships for technology partners.
• Coordinate budget inputs and align staffing contributions for lab operations and testing initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related engineering/science field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in network engineering or lab management.
• Strong knowledge of networking protocols including TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, and VLANs.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise-grade network hardware such as Cisco or Juniper.
• Ability to complete pre-employment onboarding including background checks and drug screens.

Nice to have

• Advanced networking certifications such as CCNP or CCIE.
• RCDD (Registered Communication Distribution Designer) Certification.
• Familiarity with virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) and network automation tools.

Culture & Benefits

• 100% employee-owned (ESOP) providing shared financial rewards from company success.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance starting on day one.
• Competitive compensation with a company-matched 401k plan.
• Hybrid work environment and flexible schedules to support work-life balance.
• Additional perks including tuition reimbursement and adoption reimbursement.