Fab Lab Deputy Manager

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are looking for a Fab Lab Deputy Manager to work at our client’s premises in Noordwijk, Netherlands.

The Fab Lab Deputy Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management, safety, efficiency, and strategic development of the FabLab/makerspace for space industry. This role ensures that the facility, equipment, personnel, and workflows support high-quality prototyping, fabrication, research, and innovation activities. You will oversee operational planning, resource allocation, compliance, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and technical excellence.

Tasks and activities

Operations and facility management

• Overseeing daily operations of the FabLab/makerspace, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable access for users.
• Managing facility scheduling, access control (memberships and partnerships), and utilization of equipment and workspaces.
• Developing and implementing operational procedures, workflows, and best practices.
• Ensuring the facility meets cleanliness, safety, organization, and operational readiness standards.
• Coordinating equipment installation, commissioning, maintenance, and calibration.
• Managing relationships with partners, members, vendors, service providers, and suppliers.

Equipment and technical infrastructure

• Overseeing operation and maintenance of advanced fabrication and testing equipment (e.g. CNC, 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, waterjet).
• Ensuring preventive maintenance programs are implemented and documented.
• Evaluating, procuring, and deploying new equipment aligned with strategic goals.
• Maintaining equipment documentation, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and user guides.

Safety, compliance, and quality

• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations, including occupational health and safety standards.
• Developing and enforcing safety policies, training programs, and risk assessments.
• Conducting regular safety inspections and incident reviews.
• Ensuring proper handling of hazardous materials and specialized equipment.

Team leadership and user support

• Supervising technical staff, technicians, and support personnel.
• Providing technical guidance and operational support to users, engineers, researchers, and students.
• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative makerspace culture.
• Managing user onboarding and training programs.

Project and resource management

• Coordinating operational support for research, prototyping, and development projects.
• Prioritising resource allocation based on organisational and project needs.
• Monitoring operational performance, utilization, and productivity metrics

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Master’s degree in a technical field.
• Strong operational planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to develop and implement operational processes and procedures.
• Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Budget management and procurement experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop technical staff and users.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams (engineers, researchers, students, and external partners), demonstrating strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills, with a proactive and independent working style.
• Fluent in Dutch and English, both written and spoken.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Experience in operations or technical management roles, supporting engineering, R&D, or prototyping teams within advanced technical facilities.
• Knowledge of fabrication and prototyping technologies, aerospace engineering workflows, and relevant CAD/CAM tools is an advantage.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.