Engineering Technical Specialist, Schulich School of Engineering

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 strong 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 drawings, equipment manuals, schematics, and operating procedures.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and identify practical solutions.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, scheduled laboratory activities, and competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide clear technical instruction and work effectively with students, teaching assistants, faculty, and technical colleagues.
• Proficiency with computers, technical documentation, inventory management, and procurement systems.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary technical team.
  
  

Application Deadline: November 7, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

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Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.