Lab Engineer – Materials Engineering

Position Title: Lab Engineer – Materials Engineering

Reports To: Head – Mechanical Engineering Department

Scope & Purpose:

Under direct supervision of the Head of the Mechanical Engineering department and general supervision of the engineering faculty, the Lab Technician provides supplemental support to small groups of students enrolled in the related undergraduate tutorials and labs.

Employees in this classification will develop, organize, and support student activities in the lab sections with guidance/direction from the department’s head and supervise student interactions

and to carry out research with new systems and machines.

The Lab engineer will also be directly responsible for the upkeeping and maintenance of lab equipment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Promotes safety inside the laboratory

2. Prepares laboratory equipment on a weekly basis for related sections and practice hours

3. Operates the laboratory equipment

4. Trains and supervises other laboratory staff as needed

5. Conducts functionality checks of critical lab equipment on a day to day basis

6. Maintains, calibrates and tests all the equipment in the laboratory

7. Undertakes in-house fixing of damages in the laboratory equipment when applicable

8. Where necessary, liaises with the equipment vendors on matters of installation, and maintenance

9. Remains available for various lab sessions throughout the semesters

10. Updates equipment software from time to time as needed, with the help of IT

11. Attends meetings as and when required

12. Undertakes other duties activities as assigned by the supervisor(s)

13. Perform inventory control and help in preparing quotations for existing and new equipment

14. Supervise students’ workers in the lab and validates their time sheets

15. Helps in organizing Capstone Design Projects, and other lab events

16. Conducts orientation for new faculty members and TAs related to the existing equipment

17. Develop new testing machines and methods tailored to different research topics including software-based solutions for automation and data collection.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.

Experience:

At least three (3) years* of experience in handling a technical laboratory in an academic setting. Previous experience in a research or academic laboratory setting will be considered an advantage.

* Can be waived or relaxed for GIU graduates

Special Skills:

1. Solid understanding of materials characterization techniques, such as tensile testing, hardness measurement, microscopy, and spectroscopy.

2. Controlling and maintaining laboratory operations, while contributing to the development of new testing machines tailored to research needs.

3. Providing technical expertise in assisting students and researchers with forming different projects, products, and prototypes, enabling more innovative and practical outcomes.

4. Strong technical and troubleshooting abilities, along with good communication skills to effectively support students and collaborate with faculty members.

5. Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks efficiently, and provide reliable hands-on technical support when needed.

6. Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety standards and procedures.