Scientific Machinist

University of Victoria; Victoria; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An academic institution in Victoria is seeking a skilled machinist to maintain and repair laboratory equipment and design custom scientific tools. The ideal candidate will work with a variety of machinery and provide technical guidance to students and researchers. Proficiency in SolidWorks and the operation of CNC mills is essential, alongside strong communication skills and a commitment to safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair teaching and research laboratory equipment.
• Design and fabricate custom scientific equipment.
• Test finished products for performance and safety.
• Operate a variety of machines for machining, welding, and woodworking tasks.
• Provide supervision and assistance to students and shop users.

Skills

Creative problem solving

Initiative and vision

Excellent communication skills

Efficiency and accuracy under tight deadlines

Superior technical ability in machining techniques

Proficiency in SolidWorks and Mastercam

Knowledge of safety practices

Education

Fully trained machinist, Journeyman level

Tools

HASS CNC mill

Job description

The Faculty of Science Machine Shop provides support to the teaching and research programs within the departments of Physics & Astronomy, Chemistry, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Biology, and Biochemistry & Microbiology. As part of the lab team, this position maintains and repairs teaching and research laboratory equipment; designs and fabricates custom scientific equipment (using both manual and CNC machines) based on verbal descriptions, samples, prototypes, or drawings; tests finished products for performance and safety; operates a variety of machines to perform machining, welding, sheet metal, and woodworking tasks in a timely manner; and must regularly service, repair, clean and upgrade shop equipment. This position also provides supervision and assistance/guidance to students (graduate and undergraduate), and other shop users with their projects in the shop, and liaises with faculty, staff, researchers and students the Faculty of Science and within the university community.

Skills

• Must be a highly creative, flexible individual with the ability to improve, adapt and/or design equipment, methods, and procedures in response to changing user demands.
• Requires an individual with initiative and vision who will continually work towards improving services for our instructors, students and researchers.
• Must have excellent communication skills are essential in order to work effectively with a wide variety of shop users including students (both undergraduate and graduate), researchers, staff, and faculty.
• The ability to work efficiently and accurately in spite of interruptions and tight deadlines is expected.
• Possess superior technical ability with a wide range of machining techniques
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, Mastercam, and operation of HASS CNC mill.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of established safety practices.

Specialized Knowledge/Education

• Must be a fully trained machinist, Journeyman level.

Experience

• Preference is given to skills developed in a professional environment though self-taught skill development is an added benefit that demonstrates a passion for the trade.
• Experience with welding (TIG, MIG, plasma-arc, oxy-acetylene, silver solder, stick welding and plastic welding), sheet metal fabrication, plastic fabrication (acrylics and other polymers), and finished woodworking are a preferred asset.