Laboratory Engineer, Department of Mechanical Engineering

Nature of Work: The person in this position reports directly to the Department Head and takes direction from faculty members who specialise in Controls and Fluid Power.

The person in this position is required to manage a very complex, diverse set of accountabilities including management of laboratory space and the consumables budget for the Controls and Fluid Power area.  The position is responsible for curriculum development for undergraduate laboratories in the area as well as direct instruction and supervision of undergraduate students, training and supervision of graduate students for both instructional and research activities, and providing advanced technical support to the research activities in the department.

The volume of work is cyclical and stress levels can be high during peak periods.  There will be occasional requirements to work outside of regular hours.

Significant judgement is required since the incumbent must focus on both short and long-term planning horizons to develop an effective capital equipment acquisition plan and to manage laboratory safety issues effectively. 

Independent action is a requirement of the position since the development and delivery of the undergraduate laboratory program depends upon the incumbent’s knowledge of industrial practices and advanced expertise.

The impact of error in this position is high as personal health and safety of many individuals is directly impacted by decisions made by the incumbent.  The quality of the academic program delivery in the area of Controls and Fluid Power is highly reliant on the outcomes delivered from this person.

The incumbent is responsible for direct instruction of undergraduate students in mechanical engineering design courses in second year, third year, and fourth year of the program.  These responsibilities include developing and delivering design laboratory activities and direct, independent advising of student design groups.  Design instruction is essential for accreditation of the undergraduate program and must be supervised by a professional engineer.

Hazards associated with operation of standard hands-on laboratory and highly specialised equipment are present and frequent periods of standing are expected.  Movement and lifting of up to 25 lb is often required and movement, with assistance, of items which are over 25 lb is also periodically required.

The incumbent is responsible to participate in occupational health and safety policy and procedure development.

Typical Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Responsible for the development and maintenance of the highest level of laboratory safety standards in the Controls and Fluid Power area. This includes activities such as

• developing and implementing standard operating procedures and laboratory practices;


• participating in developing department-level safety policies;


• recommending/developing and delivering specialised safety training for teaching and research personnel;


• controlling access to hazardous areas;


• ensuring secure and safe storage of hazardous substances and facilitating proper waste disposal;


• ensuring the highest level of compliance with all environmental, health and safety regulatory requirements;


• assessing and mitigating risks associated with operation of laboratories; and


• participating in the Department Safety Committee.

1. Responsible for assigned laboratory modules which contribute to undergraduate and graduate program development and delivery. This includes activities such as

• instructing and/or supervising the instruction of the undergraduate and graduate Controls and Fluid Power laboratory program;


• collaborating with faculty in the design, planning, and documentation of new and existing undergraduate laboratories consistent with technologies currently found in industry;


• procuring, maintaining and setting up undergraduate laboratory equipment;


• preparing and grading assignments and exams for the undergraduate laboratory program;


• assisting faculty with management of student discipline and academic integrity issues in the undergraduate laboratory program;


• providing recommendations on hiring of graduate student Laboratory Demonstrators;


• training and supervising graduate student Laboratory Demonstrators; and


• participating in the administration of the mechanical engineering undergraduate laboratory program.

1. Provide advanced technical support to experimental and numerical research in the Controls and Fluid Power area. This includes activities such as

• supporting research through competent operation and development of laboratory infrastructure;


• providing direct, specialised technical assistance to graduate students and faculty on the design and implementation of research projects;


• evaluating, procuring, installing, and maintaining advanced computational and experimental equipment;


• training students in specialised research software and equipment; and


• enabling the development of research capability by acquiring and implementing advanced technical expertise.

1. Responsible for procurement and maintenance of infrastructure in the Controls and Fluid Power area. This includes activities such as

• achieving a high standard of maintenance for all facilities, with attention to safety;


• remaining current with the most advanced research techniques;


• ensuring appropriate calibration standards are maintained for all critical instrumentation;


• designing improvements and upgrades to existing lab infrastructure;


• preparing and submitting funding applications for equipment renewal opportunities such as the university capital budget allocation, Engineering Advancement Trust Fund, and research grant applications; and


• procuring high-end research and lab equipment, liaising with companies to obtain quotes, technical support, and training.

1. Provide general and technical department support as required. This includes activities such as

• ensuring expenditures are within budget allocation levels and are effectively used in the operation and maintenance of teaching and research laboratories;


• supervising undergraduate design groups in second, third and/or fourth year, including technical reviews, project management and grading of reports and presentations;


• managing design laboratory activities in all years of the program;


• participate fully in accreditation-related activities such as the continuous improvement program and data gathering and analysis;


• participating in department and college committees to further their direction, goals and vision;


• ensuring both university and college policies and procedures related to key accountabilities are adhered to;


• providing service, technical advice, testing and analysis to faculty outside the Controls and Fluid Power area, from other units, and/or industry partners; and


• promoting the success of the department by responding to special needs.

Qualifications

Education:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required. A Mechanical Engineering degree is highly desirable.


2. Formal training and/or demonstrated experience in the operation of specialised equipment, facilities and engineering tools (e.g., computer models and software) used in the controls and fluid power area would be an advantage.


3. Advanced degree(s) in a relevant field would be an advantage.

Licenses:  Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS), or an equivalent Canadian body, is required for this position.

As a minimum, new hires must be immediately eligible to register with APEGS as an Engineer-in-Training and must become fully registered within four years.

Experience:  A minimum of two years of experience directly related to the position is required.  Additional experience is strongly preferred.  A demonstrated commitment to safety protocols in past roles is required.  Experience instructing students is strongly preferred.  Aptitude and experience working with instruments and software common in the field (pressure measurement, flow measurement, fluid power control, etc.) is required.  A working knowledge of instrumentation and data acquisition systems is required.

Skills: Desirable skills include the ability to work within a team, creative thinking, problem solving and troubleshooting skills; effective interpersonal skills; good verbal and written communication skills; and the proven ability to work on multiple projects with competing demands to meet deadlines.  Must have the physical ability to perform moderate to heavy physical labour. 

This position is in scope of ASPA.

Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Scott Noble at [email protected].