Engineering Technician 3

Job Title

Engineering Technician 3

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Engineering Technician 3

Job Family Group

Staff - Union

Department

Technical Services | Department of Physics and Astronomy | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range

$6,733.00 - $7,216.00 CAD Monthly

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

October 23, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job Description

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The principal duties of the Facilities Technician are to work as part of the Mechanical Services Unit for the fabrication and assembly of mechanical components, operate the PHAS Stores and take care of shipping and receiving. Other recurring duties are elaborated upon later in this document. He or she works under the guidance of the Technical Services Director and according to established procedures.

Organizational Status

The Facilities Technician reports to the Technical Services Director, and frequently works with the PHAS machine shop.

Work Performed

Facilities

• Maintains PHAS stores inventory which includes the following: maintains of a stock of standard components and stock machinable material; recommends additions, deletions and substitutions to the inventory list, organizes stock for efficient access and inventory counts; takes an annual physical stock count and replenishes components at recommended minimum stock levels; maintains up-to-date pricing of stock items for accurate billing; processes stock withdrawals and materials requisitions to enable timely billing; maintains manual and / or electronic records related to stock items as required; advises department members on vendors for standard components, keeps up-to-date catalogues for those suppliers whose product offering is not visible online.
• Receives incoming packages and informs end users of the receipt of packages; may assist in unloading trucks, or in moving large and / or heavy items to their final destination.
• On occasion, arranges outgoing shipments by preparing shipping documentation and contacting shippers, assists and advices departmental members in shipping matters; ensures all outgoing shipments are appropriately packaged and, where applicable, meet WHMIS requirements.
• Assists in sourcing products and services, and in submitting orders for individual research groups.
• Oversees the storage of chemicals and flammable substances, ensuring compliance with UBC / WorkSafe BC / government policies and regulations regarding storage and handling of hazardous materials.
• Maintains areas where department members can package objects for shipping and can drop off material for disposal or recycling (e.g. broken glass container, battery recycling); takes care of material recycling for the MSU.
• Carries out monthly Health and Safety inspections in Technical Services work areas.
• Carries out any other reasonable task assigned by the Technical Services Director including, but not limited to, assisting the Electronics Lab, Shared Technical Services, and other groups within PHAS. May be requested to move or rearrange office furniture.
  
  

Machine Shop

• Machines and fabricates parts and devices to fine tolerances in a wide range of material using various machine tools, such as: manual lathe and mill, CNC milling machine, waterjet cutter, laser cutter, 3D printer, drill press, band saw, sheet metal brake, etc.
• Assembles mechanical units and instruments by applying a wide spectrum of established techniques.
• Repairs, upgrades and maintains instruments, equipment and machines. Maintenance may involve electrical, mechanical, pressurized gases, vacuum equipment, vacuum instrumentation, and cryogenic related work.
• Performs welding (MIG, TIG, Arc welding, Spot welding), soldering, brazing, woodworking or machining.
• Works from oral and written requests, sketches, drawings and samples from customers or the Technical Services Director. Tracks the expenses for work performed, both in terms of hours worked and all expenses incurred (e.g. raw material, machine tools).
• Utilizes Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software tools (e.g. MasterCAM) for use on CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) controlled machines.
• Performs basic design or design modification using the CAD software Solidworks.
• Follows safety regulations and the WHMIS legislation, reports unsafe conditions to the Manager. Practices good housekeeping in the work area.
• Provides training for undergraduate and graduate students on how to operate the waterjet and laser cutter. Enforces all safety regulations and requirements, maintaining a safe working environment and maintain good house keeping.
• Performs maintenance of machine shop and facility equipment, and periodically cleans and organizes shared work spaces (woodworking shop and waterjet cutter facility).
  
  

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Poor attention to detail or low quality of work could result in extensive costs related to material waste, delayed research projects and missed deadlines; Mechanical Services work often is done without technical advice or documented procedures and requires initiative and judgment as well as the application of technical knowledge in resolving complex operational problems.

Inaccurate tracking of time, expenses, and inventory records could result in a modest financial loss to the department.

Poor adherence to safety/housekeeping policy, regulation and procedure, poor maintenance of equipment, or inadequate training of new shop equipment users could result in serious injury.

The nature of some harmful substances handled require strict adherence to relevant policies and regulations; failure in this regard could result in serious human injury, material damage and / or damage to the environment.

Supervision Received

This position works independently with minimal supervision in execution of recurring daily duties; more supervision will be given by the Technical Services Director or nominated deputy in lab and building renovation projects; overall direction and supervision for all other activities is received from the Technical Services Director. May seek advice from MSU’s Engineering Technician 4 regarding CAM software and fabrication techniques.

Supervision Given

This position has no direct reports, but may be required to train people to use equipment, notably the waterjet cutter or laser cutter.

Minimum Qualifications

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from a technical college or institute in a suitable discipline with a minimum three years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of experience in a workshop environment. Ability to execute welding, sheet metal work, basic woodwork, and basic wiring. Ability to interpret and apply engineering specifications.
• Red Seal Certification as a machinist would be highly advantageous.
• Experience in CAD and CAM software preferred.
• Waterjet cutter manufacturing experience preferred.
• Required to obtain and retain a Transportation of Dangerous Goods certification. 2 years relevant experience.
• Previous experience in facilities management is preferred.
• Previous working knowledge of warehouse operations and materials handling preferred.
• Experience in shipping (e.g. customs paperwork, interaction with couriers) and sourcing of off-the-shelf components and systems is preferred.
• Ability to operate a forklift and pallet jack.
• Ability to use a computerized inventory management system.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Required ability to occasionally lift and move heavy objects, up to 50 lbs. 3 years relevant experience.