RDI runs complex, custom research studies for biotech and major diagnostics manufacturers. We help sponsors execute studies that don’t fit neatly into standard CRO or clinical lab models — and that means our lab must be as adaptable, rigorous, and fast as their science demands.

This isn’t a behind-the-glass lab compliance role. It’s for a leader who thrives at the intersection of execution and strategy, part builder, part operator, and 100% accountable for delivering in a fast-paced CRO lab environment. You’ll be both hands-on and forward-thinking: overseeing day-to-day operations while scaling infrastructure to support increasingly complex diagnostic studies.

• Lead lab operations across multiple active protocols, owning daily execution, staff oversight, sample flow, timelines, and documentation.
• Act as a key partner to Clinical PMs to align lab capacity with study timelines and forecast operational needs.
• Direct and mentor lab staff, creating accountability, supporting training, and fostering a culture of quality and agility.
• Design and refine systems for inventory, sample chain-of-custody, throughput, and documentation. If it doesn’t exist, you’ll create it.
• Coordinate vendor relationships for kit components, supplies, and logistics to unblock execution.
• Maintain regulatory excellence (CLIA, CAP, GCP), ensuring the lab remains audit-ready while staying nimble.
• Continuously improve SOPs, workflows, and infrastructure to support current studies and 10x scale.

You're a lab leader who builds trust through action. You're just as comfortable writing SOPs as you are explaining throughput to execs or coaching a new technician through a tricky protocol. You thrive in high-change, low-bureaucracy environments and know how to prioritize when everything’s urgent.

• Owning performance end to end, from delivery to documentation
• Building and scaling workflows that withstand pressure
• Coaching lab staff while holding high standards
• Translating ambiguity into action plans

Requirements

• 7–10 years in clinical lab operations, ideally in a CRO, diagnostics, or regulated IVD environment
• Proven ability to lead and grow lab teams in high-throughput or sponsor-driven settings
• Strong working knowledge of CLIA, CAP, GCP, and inspection readiness
• Excellent communicator who can bridge lab staff, PMs, QA, and executive teams
• Process-oriented and tech-comfortable (LIMS, ELN, or equivalent systems)
• Experience with assay launches, protocol onboarding, and/or diagnostic development is a big plus

Small team. Big responsibility. High autonomy. Huge impact.

This isn’t for everyone — but if you want to build something meaningful at exactly the moment it’s scaling, this may be the most rewarding role you’ll ever take.

This role is based on-site at our CLIA lab in Van Nuys, CA. (We’ll help with relocation or transitional stays.)

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)