Lead, Laboratory
Next Decade
Brownsville, TX, USA
Posted on Sep 3, 2025
ABOUT NEXTDECADE CORPORATION
NextDecade is committed to providing the world access to reliable, lower carbon energy. We are focused on delivering secure, low-cost, and sustainable energy solutions through the safe and efficient development and operation of natural gas liquefaction and carbon capture and storage infrastructure. Through our subsidiaries, we are developing and constructing the Rio Grande LNG natural gas liquefaction and export facility near Brownsville, Texas, with approximately 48 MTPA of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction or in development. We are also developing a potential carbon capture and storage project at the facility that is expected to make meaningful impacts toward a lower carbon future. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.
SUMMARY OF THE ROLE
This role oversees all aspects of laboratory operations to ensure accurate testing, regulatory compliance, and support for plant functions. It involves managing equipment, data systems (LIMS), safety protocols, and interdepartmental communication while leading continuous improvement initiatives. The position also includes mentoring staff, maintaining documentation standards, and contributing technical expertise to cross-functional teams. This position is based at Rio Grande LNG in Brownsville, TX. Check out our RGV Spotlight Video to learn more about Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley!
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Oversee and coordinate all daily laboratory operations to support plant activities, ensuring strict adherence to safety, environmental, and operational standards.
- Ensure the accurate, consistent, and timely execution of laboratory tests and analyses, maintaining high standards of data integrity and reliability.
- Interpret test results and prepare detailed technical reports, effectively communicating findings to internal stakeholders across various departments.
- Maintain all laboratory equipment in optimal working condition through routine calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting.
- Promote a strong safety culture by enforcing laboratory safety protocols and ensuring compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations.
- Manage and maintain the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), including accurate data entry, user access, system updates, and training.
- Develop, implement, and uphold standardized laboratory procedures, work instructions, and quality protocols to ensure consistency and compliance with ISO 9001 and other standards.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Document Control teams to establish and maintain documentation and certification requirements.
- Act as the primary liaison for cross-functional communication, delivering timely and accurate lab data to Operations, Maintenance, Process Control, Reliability, Quality, PSM, Environmental, and other teams.
- Oversee inventory of laboratory supplies and chemicals, ensuring proper storage, labeling, handling of hazardous materials, and cost-effective procurement.
- Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance lab workflows, testing methods, and overall operational efficiency.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and new technologies, recommending and implementing best practices and innovations.
- Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to laboratory personnel, encouraging professional development and fostering a collaborative, high-performance work environment.
- Prepare for and support both internal and external audits, ensuring readiness and ongoing compliance with quality and safety standards.
- Develop, track, and analyze laboratory Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive operational performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings and projects, offering laboratory expertise to contribute to broader plant performance and strategic initiatives.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Prior experience in laboratory technician position.
- Bachelor's of Science Degree in Chemistry
- 10+ years of experience as a Laboratory Lead / Supervisor, preferably within LNG, gas, petrochemical or energy industries.
- Proven experience leading laboratory teams to deliver research, testing, and operational objectives in industrial settings, preferably within the LNG sector.
- Strong proficiency in analytical techniques such as gas chromatography, spectroscopy, and moisture analysis, with emphasis on quality control and data reliability.
- Deep understanding of chemical properties and behaviors relevant to LNG processes and production stages (e.g., Acid Gas Removal, Heavies Removal, Liquefaction).
- Demonstrated experience maintaining compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards, including ISO 17025, ISO 9001, ASTM, and other industry best practices.
- Hands-on experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), including data entry, analysis, and system maintenance.
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to train, mentor, and evaluate laboratory personnel while fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise across departments such as Operations, Safety, Engineering, and Quality.
- Highly organized with strong planning, time management, and documentation skills, ensuring accuracy, traceability, and timely execution of tasks.
- Capable of performing under pressure with a high level of motivation, attention to detail, and personal accountability.
- Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset and a commitment to delivering consistent, high-quality results.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- ISO 9001 Foundations or Auditor Certification.
Job Site Work Environment
· Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions.
· Operates in a complex construction environment.
· Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
· Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions.
· Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits.
· Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction.
· Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to support individuals with ADA-recognized disabilities to perform the essential functions for the job.
· Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required.
· Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations.
· Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift.
· The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities.
· Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance.
· Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
· Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods.
· May be required to enter confined spaces.
· May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.
If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruiting@next-decade.com.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
*In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
NEXTDECADE VALUES
· Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
· Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
· Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
· Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
· Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
· Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.
NextDecadeprovides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecadecomplies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.