Mechanical Engineering

Price Faculty of Engineering

Position number: 34369

Date posted: July 31, 2026

Job details

UAV Research Lab - Technologist 3 (CUPE 1482) Existing Regular Full time (Budget Funded)

Full-time:

Yes

Permanent

Yes

Work schedule

35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary

$36.86 to $52.45 per hour ($67,085.20 to $95,459.00 per annum)

Expected Start Date

August 24, 2026

Trial/Probation period

840 hours worked For more information please contact: Janice Lane - [email protected]

Qualifications

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:

- Engineering Technology Diploma from a recognized Community College or equivalent with seven years of related experience and eligibility for CTTAM certification required.
- M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering preferred.
- Advanced Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) Pilot Certificate.

EXPERIENCE:

- Minimum 1 year experience in UAV control and navigation required.
- Licensed UAV Operator required.
- Experience in the assembly and testing of UAV.
- Experience in the data collection and analysis of information.
- Experience in surveying, UAV photogrammetry, and ice remote sensing with a variety of UAVs, UAV-based radars, and sensors.
- Experience in leading / executing research programs related to UAV systems and remote sensing.
- Experience in supervising students required.
- An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Mechanical knowledge in order to troubleshoot equipment is required.
- Good inter-personal skills and the ability to communicate with peers and government regulatory bodies required.
- Knowledge of safety protocols related to the equipment being used required.
- Proficiency for maintaining test equipment required.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software required.
- Proficiency in LaTeX required.




- Knowledge of existing academic literature in both the fields of UAV control and Arctic remote sensing required.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while providing leadership and direction to influence others to achieve desired outcomes required.
- Ability to conduct independent research required.
- Ability to make sound independent judgments and utilize exceptional problem-solving abilities required.
- Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software errors while developing the flight control system required.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of internal and external contacts required.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision required.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Position requires travel to remote northern locations to monitor conditions of sea ice. These trips will occur roughly 2-3 times per year.

Key responsibilities

- Lead and supervise the work of graduate students, research scientists and faculty members in the use of UAV (Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle) data collection, application of hyperspectral, thermal IR and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) data from the UAVs.
- Obtain and maintain the required licensing to operate UAV equipment.
- Train and supervise other graduate students, technicians, faculty members and research scientists how to safely operate UAVs and how to integrate payloads into existing UAVs.
- Design experiments and conduct own arms-length research in collaboration with other team members in CEOS, the CERC, and C-150 programs.




- Responsible to ensure that lab users are following proper safety protocol for the equipment being used.
- Represent research team at international and national meetings while presenting own research work.
- Research, produce, and publish results of work in peer reviewed literature.
- Provides guidance and direction on the work of two full-time Technician positions as well as student researchers.
- Meet with staff and students weekly to ensure that their research is progressing satisfactorily.
- Assist with solving problems that arise within the scope of their duties.
- Review applications from Research associates and provide recommendations to Dr. Philip Ferguson.
- Provide regular updates to Dr. Philip Ferguson.
- Approve and submit weekly timesheets for staff in the lab.
- Other duties as assigned by Dr. Philip Ferguson.

Additional information

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities). If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or (phone hidden). Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.

📌 UAV Research Lab - Technologist 3 (CUPE 1482) (Winnipeg)
🏢 University of Manitoba
📍 Winnipeg