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Solid Mechanics Laboratory Technician

Date: November 9, 20o16
Reports to (Job Title): Laboratory Director
Jobs Reporting (Job Titles): Lab Technician, Materials Engineering Tech, Instruments & Elec Design Tech, CNC Lab Tech
Department: Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

Location:

Engineering 3

Grade:

USG 8/9
37.5 hr/wk


Primary Purpose

The Solid Mechanics Lab Technician is responsible for the operation of the Solid Mechanics and Design Group’s laboratories. Technical support must be provided for the research and teaching activities of both faculty and students. This position reports to the Laboratory Director of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. The Solid Mechanics Lab Technician is responsible for ensuring the effective, efficient and safe operation of these laboratories. This includes supervising undergraduate students, graduate students, and contract technicians when they work in the labs. Technical support is required by most users and ranges from designing equipment and test rigs for faculty to consulting for graduate students.

Key Accountabilities:

1. 
  • design, fabricate, and assemble custom jigs and fixtures used for leading edge research
2. 
  • assemble and commission major research apparatus
  • Hydraulic support (important) – maintain and repair current system
  • Material handling: ability to operate and maintain fork lift vehicle.
3.
  • supervise research and teaching activities within the labs
4.
  • ensure the safety of all activities within the labs
5. 
  • manage the maintenance and repair of all lab equipment and the lab infrastructure (see specific items listed above).
6. 
  • source and procure equipment
7. 
  • assist faculty and students in the experimental aspects of their research pursuits

Position Requirements

Education:

Engineering Technologist or equivalent experience

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in an engineering solid mechanics or similar type of laboratory

Technical:

Experience with instrumentation, stain gauging, hydraulics including pump repair, servo-hydraulic controllers and associated software; mechanical aptitude (e.g. die changing), may require some machining and fabrication, precision measurement skills

Technical:

MS Word Excel PowerPoint Other
Adequate Skills required Adequate Skills required Not required Labview

Nature and Scope

Interpersonal Skills:

The candidate must have clear communication skills and be able to work in harmony with students, faculty and staff in the laboratory.

Level of Responsibility:

The job has specialized work with minimal supervision and provides guidance to others. This is a support role. However the candidate should continuously be observant of safety issues and may need to confront people in the laboratory who are compromising safety through their actions or by not wearing proper safety apparel.

Decision-Making Authority:

The candidate (as mentioned above) must maintain safety standards in the laboratories, advise faculty and lab director of laboratory issues and matters, keep an overall eye on the functioning and activities in the laboratories. The candidate will also be contributing to the specific research initiative, lending support and advice.

Physical and Sensory Demands:

See working conditions below.

Working Environment:

Working conditions are similar to those found in a fabrication or machine shop. The Lab Technician can regularly expect to move and handle large and heavy equipment. Much of the equipment in this lab can be very dangerous if not handled properly. Working outside of normal hours might be occasionally required to deal with emergencies, maintenance, or extended run experiments.