Description

The Technical Services team in the Schulich School of Engineering is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Engineering Technical Specialist for approximately 6 months.

Reporting to the Undergraduate Laboratory Manager of Technical Services, the incumbent provides hands‑on technical support across mechanical and chemical engineering laboratories.

This position is primarily responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and effective operation of undergraduate engineering teaching laboratories, experimental learning environments, course projects, and associated technical facilities within the Schulich School of Engineering.The successful candidate will apply a combination of mechanical aptitude, practical laboratory skills, and independent technical judgment to resolve equipment issues, improve experimental systems, and support the delivery of undergraduate laboratory courses. The incumbent will work closely with academic staff, students, teaching assistants, and other technical personnel, providing technical advice, instruction, and mentorship.

The position requires a self‑motivated, adaptable individual who can manage competing priorities, respond to equipment failures, and maintain a high standard of safety and organization. Workloads will vary with the academic calendar, with increased demands during laboratory preparation periods and scheduled lab activities. Occasional overtime or adjusted working hours may be required to accommodate laboratory schedules, special events, and operational needs.

This role will primarily work afternoons or evenings.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

- Preparing, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing,



and upgrading laboratory equipment and experimental systems. This includes mechanical assemblies, pumps, valves, piping and fluid systems, instrumentation, and equipment used for chemical processing and analytical laboratory work.
- Designing and fabricating components, modifying existing apparatus, and developing practical solutions to support new or revised laboratory experiments.
- Support the preparation and delivery of undergraduate laboratory activities by ensuring equipment, chemicals, consumables, and instrumentation are available, functional, and safe to use.
- Provide practical instruction and training to students, teaching assistants, faculty, and staff on equipment operation, experimental procedures, maintenance practices, and laboratory safety.
- Contribute to laboratory development and modernization by identifying opportunities to improve equipment reliability, experimental capability, safety, and operational efficiency.
- Developing and maintaining standard operating procedures, hazard assessments, equipment documentation, and laboratory processes.
- Work across both mechanical and wet laboratory environments, with the flexibility to support student design projects, technical co‑curricular activities, Makerspace operations, and other engineering laboratories as operational requirements dictate.
- Cross‑training and collaboration within the Technical Services team.





Qualifications / Requirements:

- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Chemical Engineering Technology, or a closely related engineering technology discipline.
- A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline would be considered a robust asset.
- Several years of hands‑on experience in mechanical equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, fabrication, experimental systems, laboratory operations, or an applied engineering environment.
- Strong mechanical aptitude, including the ability to diagnose equipment problems, work with mechanical assemblies, and repair or modify laboratory apparatus.
- Practical experience with pumps, valves, piping, fluid systems, process equipment, or other mechanical and experimental systems.
- Experience with hand tools, power tools, workshop equipment, mechanical fabrication, and prototyping.
- Experience working in a wet laboratory or applied chemical laboratory environment, including chemical preparation and handling, laboratory procedures, and safe work practices.
- Familiarity with analytical instrumentation and laboratory testing techniques. Experience with equipment such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, UV‑VIS spectroscopy, refractometry, or similar analytical systems would be an asset.
- Experience with instrumentation, sensors, data acquisition systems, controls, and laboratory computing tools.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, chemical storage, hazardous waste management, and the preparation of standard operating procedures and hazard assessments.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawing

📌 Engineering Technical Specialist, Schulich School of Engineering (Calgary)
🏢 University of Calgary
📍 Calgary