The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager

Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, systems engineering, information technology, or related field.
  • Minimum two years of experience in lab operations or facility coordination.
  • Expertise in managing resources, inventory, and complex workflows.
  • Strong knowledge of digital engineering practices and software tools.
  • Experience in strategic planning for facility operations.

Responsibilities

  • Manage daily activities of classrooms, labs, and specialized structures.
  • Coordinate with University Facilities Management for infrastructure needs.
  • Oversee lab assignments and security protocols for access management.
  • Maintain complete inventory of equipment and software licenses.
  • Organize outreach activities for industry partners regarding research findings.
  • Supervise deployment of Model-Based Systems Engineering tools and digital environments.
  • Enforce safety standards tailored to unique lab risks.

Benefits

  • Health insurance options for employees and their families.
  • Retirement plan contributions with university matching.
  • Professional development opportunities for advancement.
  • Access to university facilities and resources.
  • Flexible work hours with occasional evening or weekend shifts.
Full Job Description
Position Information

General Information

Position Number
001967

Vacancy Open to
All Candidates

Working Title
Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager

Position Designation
EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type
Permanent - Full-time

Months per Year
12

Work Schedule

8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

Hours per week
40

FLSA Status
Exempt

Division
Research

Department
Div of Research (Adm)

Work Location
Brevard Street Building

Salary Range
$98,748 - $120,000

Primary Purpose of Position

The Cybersecurity, Digital Engineering & AI Innovation Lab & Facility Manager provides operational leadership for the lab and facility. This role is the primary technical and administrative lead for the facility and serves as the essential link between the University, Division of Research, and the North Tryon Tech Hub. The position focuses on managing sophisticated research environments, overseeing building operations, and facilitating technical engagement with industry partners and regional initiatives. The manager has direct responsibility for the facility, including the digital infrastructure required for modern engineering workflows, and holds master key access to secure areas.
  • Research Lab Facility & Building Operations - 50%
  • Technical Innovation & Support - 20%
  • Planning and Organizing Work - 10%
  • Administrative & Fiscal Management - 20%


Summary of Position Responsibilities

Research Lab Facility & Building Operations
  • Operational Oversight: Manage daily activities of all classrooms, labs, and specialized structures, ensuring 24/7 operational readiness for sensitive data, AI workloads, and Digital Engineering simulations.
  • Building Liaison: Act as the lead coordinator and liaison to University Facilities Management for all building/lab infrastructure needs, including high-capacity power, specialized cooling for AI clusters, and high-bandwidth data networking.
  • Space & Access Management: Oversee all lab and office assignments; manage advanced security protocols and building access for faculty and industry collaborators using systems like Archibus.
  • Inventory & Security: Serve as the primary inventory manager for all equipment; maintain records for both physical devices and virtualized assets/software licenses required for Digital Engineering.
  • Outreach: Organize and direct outreach activities, including tours and demonstrations of Digital Twin models and AI-driven research for industry partners and research sponsors.

Technical Innovation & Support
  • Digital Engineering Integration: Oversee the deployment and maintenance of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and collaborative digital environments that allow for the virtual design, testing, and validation of complex systems.
  • Expert Troubleshooting: Oversee the maintenance and repair of complex electronic, mechanical, and data systems; provide tier-one support for Digital Engineering software suites and high-performance computing (HPC) interfaces.
  • Safety & Compliance: Establish and enforce rigorous safety standards tailored to the unique risks of the lab (e.g., technical systems, high-voltage data centers, and cyber-physical security).

Planning and Organizing Work
  • Strategic Planning: Assist leadership in determining long-range plans for core facilities based on strategic assessments of growth opportunities in digital transformation and AI, in alignment with the Division of Research strategic plan.
  • Modernization Planning: Develop 3-year rolling plans for equipment staging, facility retrofitting, and digital toolchain upgrades to keep the Innovation Lab at the forefront of the Tech Hub's requirements. Evaluate performance and cost options for system upgrades to maintain a "State-of-the-Art" status in virtual engineering environments.
  • Safety & Security: Serve as the building liaison and safety officer, coordinating security protocols for both physical assets and intellectual property stored within the digital lab environment.

Administrative & Fiscal Management
  • Budgetary Authority: Manage the overall lab operations budget and develop justifications for major capital equipment purchases and enterprise-level software subscriptions.
  • Procurement & Vendor Relations: Serve as the primary contact for vendors; evaluate quotes for new equipment, cloud service providers, service contracts, delivery schedules, and specialized installations.


Minimum Education/Experience
  • Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution, preferably in computer science, systems engineering, information technology, or a related engineering or engineering technology discipline, and
  • At least two (2) years of experience in laboratory operations, research management, or facility coordination, or
  • Equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.


Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience
  • Advanced Degree: Master's or PhD in a related science or engineering field.
  • Digital Engineering Expertise: Familiarity with Digital Twin technology, MBSE frameworks, or AI-augmented design workflows.
  • Industry Experience: Demonstrated experience working within a technology hub or managing industry-university collaborative facilities.
  • Strategic Planning: Ability to align facility operations with the broader goals of the North Tryon Tech Hub and regional economic development.
  • Advanced Lab Management: Expertise in managing resources, assets, inventory, budget, preventative maintenance, service contracts, complex workflows, and quality assurance programs.
  • Technical Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of computer infrastructure, network, and security (e.g., NIST, ISO standards).


Necessary Certifications/Licenses

N/A

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

N/A

Special Notes to Applicants
  • The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
  • The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with
    the finalist.
  • Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
  • UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/


Posting Open Date
06/12/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Proposed Hire Date
08/03/2026

If time-limited please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information

About The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public research university in Charlotte, North Carolina. UNC Charlotte offers 23 doctoral, 64 master's, and 140 bachelor's degree programs through nine colleges: the College of Arts + Architecture, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Belk College of Business, the College of Computing and Informatics, the Cato College of Education, the William States Lee College of Engineering, the College of Health and Human Services, the Honors College, and the University College.
Learn more about The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Size
3,000 employees
Industry

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