Laboratory Manager Jobs in California
Laboratory Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, environmental testing, and food and beverage quality assurance, with openings at every level from bench-lead to senior director. The heaviest hiring clusters around the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where anchor employers like Kaiser Permanente, Genentech, and Quest Diagnostics maintain large laboratory operations. The most in-demand specialties are clinical laboratory management, bioanalytical method development, and environmental compliance. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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AOCUSA | AMALIE OIL COMPANY IS HIRING IN CALIFORNIA
Competitive pay and great benefits!
AOCUSA pays the full cost of our Employee’s Health Insurance
We are looking for a Senior Laboratory Manager for the following shift:
First Shift: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Full-Time: Monday – Friday + mandatory weekends at the discretion of management
Onsite: Vernon, CA
Amalie Oil Company is North America's largest privately held independent blender of motor oils and industrial lubricants. With production facilities in Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and the Los Angeles area, Amalie manufactures over 3,000 products and distributes to all 50 states and over 100 countries around the world.
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JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Lab Manager is the principal laboratory analyst, responsible for supervision, training, technical advising, and guidance of laboratory employees. The incumbent performs professional laboratory work in research and quantitative physical and chemical testing of lubricants, greases, and other related automotive and industrial chemicals. Under general direction, supervises and participates in the work of a centralized chemical laboratory to provide services in support of lubricant, grease, and chemical production; performs related work as required.
Essential Duties
The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by the employee of this class. Not all assigned duties may be listed.
- Plans, organizes, reviews, processes, evaluates laboratory programs that support production and customer or regulatory requirements, and all related laboratory quality activities.
- Plans, organizes, supervises and reviews the work of staff engaged in laboratory sampling, testing and analysis of samples, and inspection; assists in the hiring of laboratory personnel; trains or arranges for training; evaluates employee performance; ensures safe working conditions.
- Performs laboratory testing as required; operates all laboratory instruments; develops or modifies instrumentation and lab procedures; troubleshoots instrument malfunctions and maintenance of equipment. Answer telephones and respond to email inquiries in the office.
- Ensures regulatory compliance and lab certification; implements and reviews quality assurance/quality control program to ensure reliability of test data.
- Compiles and prepares correspondence of periodic and special reports covering laboratory activities; prepares and/or directs the preparation of extensive reports and records; coordinates the maintenance of the laboratory data management system.
- Provides technical consultation to operations staff in the evaluation and solution of problems where laboratory analysis is necessary; recommends changes in methods and operations as indicated by study findings and regulatory compliance monitoring.
- Leads research and development of new lubricant products.
Required Qualifications
- 8+ years of direct experience, within automotive and industrial lubricant and grease industry
- Excellent knowledge and experience with grease formulation, testing, and manufacturing
- Proficient skills in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
- Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills
- High quality organizational skills
- The ability to work well under deadlines and to multitask
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Bachelors’ Degree in a science field or 8+ years laboratory experience with increasing responsibility
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of supervisory experience
- Previous administrative experience preferred
- Knowledge of the structure and uses of lubricants and greases
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
Occasional exposure to unpleasant elements such as fumes and odors. Temperature fluctuations due to both seasonal extremes and working in and out of doors. Video display terminals are used on a daily basis. Dexterity and coordination to handle files; occasional lifting of objects weighing up to 40 lbs. such as laboratory equipment and other materials. Strength, dexterity, coordination and vision to use a keyboard and video display terminal for long periods of time. Moving from place to place within the laboratory; some reaching for items above and below desk level.
Compensation: $110,000 - $120,000
The offered pay or range is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, overall experience, relevant experience, education level, certifications, applicable skills and expertise, and location of the position.
Benefits
AOCUSA pays the full cost of our Employee’s Health Insurance
- Complete Insurance Coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Supplemental Plans Available
- Full time, with full comprehensive benefit package that includes, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401K
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Laboratory Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory manager jobs across California.
- California Laboratory Director licensure or Clinical Laboratory Scientist license where required by role
- Bachelor's or master's degree in life sciences, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience managing laboratory staff, budgets, and quality control programs
- Proficiency with laboratory information management systems and regulatory compliance documentation
- Familiarity with CAP, CLIA, ISO 17025, or FDA GLP and GMP standards as applicable to the setting
- Strong record of leading cross-functional teams and maintaining laboratory accreditation requirements
Laboratory Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a laboratory manager in California?
The path depends on the laboratory type. Clinical laboratory managers typically need a California Clinical Laboratory Scientist license issued by the California Department of Public Health, which requires an accredited bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or a related discipline and passing the state licensure examination. Non-clinical settings such as environmental, biotech, or industrial labs generally do not require a state license but do expect a relevant science degree and progressively responsible bench or supervisory experience.
How much do laboratory managers make in California?
Laboratory managers in California earn a median of about $210,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $130,730 for the lowest 10% to over $330,050 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire laboratory managers in California?
Employers hiring laboratory managers in California right now include University of Southern California, Kaiser Permanente, and University of California Berkeley, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of biotech firms, hospital networks, and contract research organizations means demand is distributed across both large enterprise employers and specialized mid-size laboratories.
Which California cities have the most laboratory manager jobs?
Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Bakersfield have the most laboratory manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical headquarters, San Diego draws heavily from its life sciences research corridor along Torrey Pines, and Los Angeles reflects demand from large hospital systems, environmental testing facilities, and food science operations tied to the region's manufacturing base.
Are there remote laboratory manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Most laboratory manager roles require on-site presence to oversee staff, maintain equipment, and ensure compliance with safety and accreditation standards. About 0% of laboratory manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve quality systems management, regulatory documentation, or program oversight rather than direct bench supervision.
How can I get hired as a laboratory manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into a lead or senior scientist role first, then stepping into supervisory responsibilities within the same organization. Large California health systems like Kaiser Permanente and UC Health run laboratory scientist training programs and new-graduate residencies that build the clinical foundation needed to advance. In biotech, associate scientist and quality control analyst roles at San Diego and Bay Area firms often serve as the direct ladder into laboratory management.
Where can I find and apply to laboratory manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to laboratory manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 23 Laboratory Manager Jobs in California
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