Lab and Building Support Technician

The Mechanical and Aerospace (MAE) Department, at the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), seeks a qualified professional to serve as Lab and Building Support Technician. The primary focus of this position is to support undergraduate experiments and projects. However, the technician shall also support a broad array of facilities-related needs for the MAE department. The person in this role should have experience in assembling and calibrating electronic devices and experiments, familiarity with safety and environmental regulations, and an ability to learn relevant technical software. They will also need to have a general ability to help with small projects and installations throughout the department’s spaces. The candidate must be fluent in verbal and written communication and be culturally competent to work with individuals of varying backgrounds.

Student Lab Support:

Project Setup and Maintenance:

• Assist in setting up and organizing lab projects, ensuring equipment availability and proper configuration.
• Order equipment and consumables in support of undergraduate lab activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and students to establish project workspaces and facilitate smooth operations.

Electronics Support:

• Troubleshoot and maintain electronic components used in experiments and projects.
• Perform soldering for circuit boards and small components.
• Assist students with circuit assembly, testing, and debugging (familiarity with the use of digital multimeters and oscilloscopes).

Software Calibration and Configuration:

• Calibrate measurement instruments and sensors for accurate data collection.
• Provide guidance on software tools commonly used in mechanical engineering labs (e.g., LabVIEW and SolidWorks).

Lab Safety and Compliance:

• Educate students on lab safety protocols, including proper handling of equipment and hazardous materials.

• Ensure compliance with safety guidelines and maintain a safe working environment.

Technical Documentation:

• Document procedures, setup instructions, and troubleshooting steps for lab experiments.
• Create user-friendly guides for students to reference during their work.

Equipment Maintenance and Repair:

• Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment (e.g., mechanical testing machines, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines).
• Coordinate repairs or replacements as needed.

MAE facilities support:

Coordinate Repairs and Improvements with UVA Facilities Management Department:

• Assist faculty and research staff in identifying facilities needs for labs spaces and equipment including electrical and ventilation requirements, plumbing, installation of new doors and locks, etc.
• Initiate and monitor progress on work orders to Facilities Management.

Furniture Assembly and Placement:

• Assemble furniture items (desks, chairs, shelves) as needed.
• Relocate or remove furniture to accommodate room use needs or renovation schedules

Forklift Operation:

• Safely operate forklifts for material transport, including large department deliveries.
• Follow established protocols and safety guidelines.

Material Inventory, Disposal and Surplus Management:

• Complete annual inventory of capital equipment purchased by the MAE Department.
• Coordinate disposal of unwanted materials and equipment properly.
• Coordinate surplus orders for furniture, equipment and materials across the department

This position will remain open until filled. This is a Non-Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. Anticipated Hiring Range: $25 / hr - $35 / hr commensurate with education and experience. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@virginia.edu

Please apply through the University job board, Careers at UVA , and search for R0059867.

Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs’ or through their ‘Jobs Hub’. Applicants must complete an application online with the following documents: a resume and a cover letter.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: GED/High School Graduate

Experience: Five years

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires standing for sustained periods of time while operating machines

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.