Technical Officer / Senior Technical Officer, Teaching Laboratories

UNSW Employees, Location, Alumni; Sydney; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering seeks a practical, safety-focused Technical Officer/Senior Technical Officer to support its teaching laboratories in Kensington, Sydney. You'll help keep equipment safe, reliable and ready for use, with fault-finding and maintenance experience essential.

Reporting to the Laboratory Manager, the role involves hands-on support for classes, demonstrations and student projects, assisting with equipment operation, assembly of apparatus, and

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification with practical experience and/or an equivalent level of knowledge.
• Trade qualification in Engineering (Certificate III or IV) is highly desirable.
• Experience with CAD drawings using SolidWorks or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support teaching laboratories with hands-on equipment operation for classes and demonstrations.
• Assist students with equipment use and safety in laboratory environments.
• Assist in manufacturing and assembling apparatus and identifying technical requirements.
• Contribute to day-to-day operation of laboratories with a focus on continuous improvement.

Skills

Fault finding

Safety systems

CAD proficiency

Communication

Organisational skills

Lab safety

Education

Trade qualification in Engineering (Certificate III/IV)

Relevant qualification with practical experience

Tools

SolidWorks

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

The Opportunity

The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UNSW is seeking a practical and safety-focused Technical Officer / Senior Technical Officer to support its laboratories. This role will primarily focus on teaching laboratories, though your expertise may be relied upon in research laboratories as well. You’ll help keep equipment and teaching rigs safe, reliable and ready for use. It is essential you have a proven track record of fault-finding and maintenance of equipment, as well as being highly organised.

Working with academic staff, students and the technical team, you’ll provide hands-on support for classes, demonstrations and projects. This includes helping students use equipment safely, supporting the manufacture and assembly of apparatus, and identifying technical requirements. Practical experience with mills, drills, lathes and CNC machining will be valuable in this role.

You’ll contribute to the day-to-day operation of the laboratories, with a strong focus on continuous improvement. The role reports to the Laboratory Manager and has no direct reports.

• Salary:
  • Technical Officer (Level 6) - $108,021 to $115,233 per annum + 17% superannuation
  • Senior Technical Officer (Level 7) - $118,638 to $128,233 per annum + 17% superannuation
• Employment type: Full time
• Appointment type: Continuous (Permanent)
• Location: Kensington - Sydney, Australia
• Work arrangement: Onsite role

About Us

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged, and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering is internationally recognised for excellence in research and teaching. Its mission is to nurture students to become industry leaders who generate societal, economic and environmental benefits. The School’s expertise spans Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronic Engineering. It is ranked #46 globally for Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. For more information, visit School’s website.

Skills and Experience

Level 6

• A relevant qualification with subsequent practical experience and/or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training or experience. A trade qualification in Engineering (fitting and machining Certificate III or IV) is highly desirable.
• Experience in CAD drawings using software such as Solidworks or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Proficient computing skills including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Demonstrated experience implementing safety systems and initiatives, including training students and/or staff in safe working practices in a complex laboratory environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with a focus on understanding business requirements and being able to translate this into technical concepts and written technical documentation.
• Capability to manage purchasing of chemicals, equipment and other materials in compliance with statutory and University requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing deadlines and the demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a wider technical team for the benefit of the School.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Level 7 (in addition to the above)

• Extensive experience managing complex laboratory or workshop equipment used in the MME Laboratories.
• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas of mechanical or manufacturing engineering: mechatronics, engines, combustion, aerodynamics, vibration, fluids, lasers, refrigeration, energy systems, composite materials, manufacturing or advanced materials.
• Extensive knowledge of hazardous materials and dangerous goods (HMDG) and their safe management.
• Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, purchasing and assets or design/implementation of systems for teaching laboratories or research groups or equivalent.
• High level analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to investigate and make informed decisions regarding complex issues.
• Experience driving a culture of continuous improvement, providing recommendations for new methodologies and solutions to improve laboratory systems and procedures.
• Proven experience developing and implementing safety systems in a laboratory context.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description. This is available via JOBS@UNSW.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. To be considered, applicants must have full working rights in Australia and be able to work on-site at our Kensington campus.

Contact

For role-specific inquiries, please contact Joshua Brandt (Laboratory Manager)

[e-mail]

For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Eugene Aves (Talent Acquisition Partner)

[e-mail]

Applications close: 11:55 pm (Sydney time) on Wednesday, 18 November 2026

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.