Aquatech · 8 hours ago
Lab Director
Canonsburg, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expAquatech is a leading global provider of water and industrial process technology solutions, and they are seeking a Lab Director to build and lead a world-class applied process innovation laboratory focused on critical minerals recovery and advanced water technologies. This role involves guiding a multidisciplinary team in executing R&D, pilot-scale validation, and commercialization programs, while ensuring operational excellence and driving innovation in water treatment and brine processing.
ComputerElectronicsInformation TechnologyManufacturing
Responsibilities
Set the lab’s vision, multi-year roadmap, and portfolio prioritization aligned to Aquatech’s growth strategy in water treatment/brine concentration, resource recovery, and circular water solutions
Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team (technicians, engineers, scientists) with clear roles, development plans, and succession pipelines
Drive transformation from analytical services to an innovation/commercialization hub—moving from benchtop insights to pilot demonstrations and customer deployment
Own all operational aspects of the technical center: scheduling, workflows, staffing, training, procurement, inventory, instrumentation, metrology/calibration, and facility readiness
Ensure high uptime for analytical equipment through necessary periodic upkeep and maintenance
Design, sponsor, and manage laboratory expansions/modernizations (e.g., microbiology/molecular biology BSL-1 suites, fermentation capability, analytical chemistry labs, pilot bays, wet labs, high-salinity handling areas, and membrane/ion exchange test cells)
Establish and enforce SOPs, GLP/GMP-lite practices where applicable, stage-gate processes for experiments and pilots, and Change Control for method evolution
Oversee experimental design, benchtop method development, and pilot test execution for technologies such as: + Membrane processes (RO, NF, FO, MD), ion exchange, electrodialysis, crystallization, evaporation, biological treatment, adsorption/precipitation, and advanced oxidation for high-TDS brines and complex wastewaters
Critical minerals extraction flowsheets (lithium, copper, rare earths) and UPW polishing for semiconductor/biopharma applications
Translate results into techno-economic analyses (TEA), process models, and commercialization plans with quantified risk, CAPEX/OPEX, and customer value
Champion world-class EHS culture: hazard analysis, lockout/tagout, chemical hygiene, biosafety (BSL-1), waste management, emergency response, and ergonomics
Maintain laboratory compliance (ISO 9001/14001 principles, biosafety procedures, calibration and traceability)
Drive continuous improvement via audits, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
Client satisfaction prioritized for all engineering service and development contract work
Partner closely with Product, Process Engineering, Projects, Sales, and Field Services to align pilots with customer objectives and commercialization timelines
Engage customers, universities, and technology providers; structure joint development agreements and pilot plans that de-risk deployments
Communicate results via executive-ready reports, dashboards, and presentations; represent Aquatech at conferences and industry forums
Own lab budgets (opex/capex), vendor contracts, and instrument lifecycle planning
Reallocate resources to maximize throughput, revenue, and impact, demonstrably scaling annual lab revenue on a 3 year timeline through improved utilization and broader enterprise alignment
Qualification
Required
BS/MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Microbiology, or related field
First-hand expertise and demonstrated history in data integrity, robust analytics (ICP-OES/MS, HPLC/GC, TOC, IC, XRD, particle size analysis), and statistically defensible conclusions for scale-up decisions
Hands-on expertise with membrane application development, hydrometallurgical process development and/or complex fluid systems
5+ years in laboratory leadership spanning benchtop R&D and pilot-scale operations in industrial process technology innovation
Demonstrated success in building/scaling lab organizations (from ~5 to 25+ staff), modernizing facilities, and commercializing process technologies
Knowledge of lithium brine processes or similar
Strong EHS stewardship and biosafety familiarity (BSL-1)
Proven budget ownership, vendor management, and capital project leadership (~$3–5MM)
Exceptional communication skills for executive stakeholders and customer-facing engagements
Ability to travel 10% of the time in a calendar year within the US and abroad
Preferred
Experience in critical minerals (Li, Cu, REE) processing flowsheets, scaling pilots to demo plants
First-hand experience developing membrane technology
UPW experience in semiconductor/biopharma contexts
Familiarity with ISO 9001/14001, QA/QC systems, LIMS, and statistical design of experiments (DoE)
Working knowledge of techno-economic modeling, process simulation (Aspen/HYSYS/GPROMs), and life-cycle assessment
Track record of IP generation (patents, trade secrets) and external collaborations
Benefits
Paid time off
Company-paid holidays
401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility)
Company
Aquatech
Aquatech is a global leader in water purification technology for industrial and infrastructure markets with a focus on desalination
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Aquatech has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (4)
2024 (4)
2023 (2)
2022 (4)
2021 (7)
2020 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$4.7MKey Investors
Cerberus Capital ManagementExport-Import Bank of the United States
2025-04-03Private Equity
2023-08-31Debt Financing· $4.7M
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