Lawson will replace Johnny Claxton ahead of 2017/18, the New Zealander leaving the Ospreys at the end of the season after three years with the region to join Grenoble in France.
The appointment sees Lawson linking back up with the region seven years after he left to head up the S&C team at the Dragons having been part of the coaching set-up at the Ospreys since the inception of regional rugby.
The 43-year old then headed to Japan in 2014 to work with Filo Tiatia at Toyota Verblitz before joining the WRU staff for the recent Six Nations and the forthcoming summer tour.
Prior to his S&C work, he played more than 50 times across the backline for Swansea in a career that saw him also play for Newport, Pontypridd, Llanelli and Harlequins.
Lawson said: “The Ospreys are very much my region, it’s where my family live, and I’m returning to my roots. I’ve got big shoes to fill in replacing Johnny Claxton but I’m excited to have the opportunity to rejoin an organisation that is as ambitious and hungry for success as ever. It’s a region that has achieved such a lot and I was proud to share in the on field successes in my last spell.
“When I left seven years ago it was I order to progress as a coach, taking a head coach role for the first time. I’ve gained a huge variety of experience that I believe will be allow me to contribute positively to the environment.
“I’m delighted to be back. I understand the pressure to succeed, the ambition to be the best, and I share that ambition. It’s an exciting challenge that I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into this summer.”
