Technical Department Manager

• Location: Madison Heights, MI
• Company: Applus+ RA (A division of Applus+)

About Us:

Applus+ RA is a market leader in the transportation industry, specializing in testing services and certifications for electrical, electronic, and mechanical components, sub-systems, and full systems, including materials testing and failure analysis. Our laboratory is based in Madison Heights, MI, and is part of Applus+, a multinational group with over 23,000 employees worldwide.

Job Overview:

Applus+ Reliable Analysis (RA) is seeking a Department Technical Manager to lead day-to-day lab operations and technical direction at our Madison Heights, MI facility. This role oversees supervisors and technicians, ensuring high-quality testing execution, team development, and operational efficiency. As part of the lab’s leadership team, the manager will drive continuous improvement, ensure safety and compliance, and serve as a key technical resource across electrical, electronic, and mechanical testing programs.

Your Responsibilities:

• The Department Testing Manager in the US, is responsible for directing, coordinating, facilitating, and monitoring the daily activities of the lab operations department supervisors and technician staff.
• Provides and sets direction within the lab to ensure that production goals and customer.
• Expectations are consistently met in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner.
• Responsible and accountable to assigned direct reporting staff and to indirect departmental decisions to include hiring, performance management, and performance review decisions and execution, and approval of overtime.
• Work with assigned staff to ensure work schedules are maintained and balanced.
• Serves as key member of and contributor to, the lab's leadership team in the development and implementation of continuous improvement.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical-related discipline preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of or more experience in testing laboratories operations and/or program management using controllers, pneumatics, hydraulics and environmental chamber systems and set-ups.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety and occupational risk prevention.
• Proven ability to support and train staff members for the department in order to meet
• customers’ expectations on testing.
• Technical leadership is vital to the production and operation of assigned tests with advanced working knowledge to operate various testing equipment.
• Ability to communicate (written and oral) effectively with clients and colleagues with great attention to detail and timing of results.
• Proven ability to multitask and work under strict timelines.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to effectively. establish and maintain two-way communications to understand the needs and concerns of all departments.
• Strong project management, analytical and problem solved skills provide go-to insight in the daily efficient operation of the lab.
• Proven track record of success with regard to technical competency both inside and outside of the lab.

What We Offer:

• Great long-term career prospects and development opportunities
• Challenging tasks in innovative and diverse teams
• Attractive compensation system
• Flexible working environment
• 401k match
• Company provided life insurance and vision coverage benefits.
• Medical, dental, and vision, pet insurance, home and auto discounts, identity theft protection offered & much more! 2 weeks’ paid time off available immediately
• PTO