Technician, Structures and Materials

University-of-Waterlo; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Waterloo invites applications for a Structures & Materials Technician within the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. You will support multi-user labs, assist in testing, calibration, and maintenance of servo-hydraulic equipment, and help with lab safety and inventory management.

You will work with faculty, staff, and students to ensure experiments run smoothly, fabricate fixtures, and troubleshoot equipment as needed, while upholding rigorous safety standards in a

Qualifications

• Diploma, apprenticeship, certification, or equivalent in Civil/Mechanical/Industrial fields.
• Demonstrated hands-on technical expertise may substitute formal credentials.
• Several years of lab/industrial environment experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide lab support for Structures & Materials labs.
• Prepare lab equipment, order supplies, and maintain safety.
• Assist with design, fabrication, assembly of custom fixtures.
• Operate and troubleshoot servo-hydraulic test systems.
• Support undergraduate and graduate students and staff.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Fabrication

Communication skills

Safety awareness

Education

Diploma / Apprenticeship in Civil/Mechanical related field

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Hydraulic systems

Pneumatic systems

Job description

At the University of Waterloo, we create and promote a culture where everyone can reach their full potential. As an employee, you get support & opportunities that empower you to advance your career. Explore how we can bring big ideas to life, together. The University is a welcoming workplace for those of all abilities, interests, and expertise. As part of our workforce, you can do what you do best, every day.Learn more about our recruitment process.Job Requisition ID:2026-02974Time Type:Full timeEmployee Group:StaffJob Category:Laboratory SupportEmployment Type:PermanentDepartment:Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering - Technical ResourcesHiring Range:$72,523.53 - $90,654.42Posting Information:This posting is for an existing vacancy.The internal posting deadline for this position is October 16, 2026, at 11:59PM.Job Description:Primary PurposeThe Technician, Structures and Materials provides support for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, with a focus on Structures & Materials laboratories. Support encompasses assisting in the design, sourcing, construction, development, troubleshooting, and maintenance of research and teaching equipment with a focus on equipment and related infrastructure, test specimen construction, handling, and storage. This includes assisting faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and contract technicians when they work in the labs.The Structures & Materials Technician is also expected to assist with the management of facilities, equipment, and supplies for a multi-user, multi-disciplined research area.Key AccountabilitiesUndergraduate Laboratory InstructionProvide laboratory instruction, when required, for undergraduate teaching labsAssist the Structures & Materials Group with lab developmentPrepare lab equipment and order supplies required for conducting teaching labsMake improvements to existing experiments and exercises so they are more suitable for achieving educational goals in the context of a civil engineering educationGuide CEE Capstone ProjectsTrain and assist undergraduate students, teaching assistants, faculty, and other technical staff in the safe and effective use of specialized testing, data acquisition, and servo-hydraulic equipment, including sensor calibration and verification of equipment operationProvide technical support across CEE laboratories, with a primary focus on the Structures & Materials laboratories, including the fabrication, setup, operation, troubleshooting, repair, calibration, and modification of research and teaching equipmentKeep current with test standards, teaching methodologies, and modern equipmentWork with other technical staff and teaching assistants to ensure that all experiments in all courses are fully operational before classes meetCo-ordinate and liaise with Technical Staff on laboratory activitiesAssist with Research ActivitiesAssist graduate students and researchers with the design, assembly, commissioning, operation, troubleshooting, and analysis of laboratory experimental systems, equipment, and data collection activitiesTrain and support users in the correct use of specialized testing equipment and servo-hydraulic test systems, including verification of proper equipment operation, to ensure predetermined operational standards are consistently maintainedAssist in the design, fabrication, and assembly of custom jigs and fixtures used for researchProvide technical assistance in all CEE labs, as requiredHealth, Safety & EnvironmentResponsible for the safety of all users of the Structures & Materials labs. This includes ordering safety materials, cleaning up work areas, removal and proper disposal of refuse, and overseeing user clean upAct as the HSE supervisor for undergraduate laboratories and field tripsResponsible for the establishment of safe field and laboratory practices for all lab users, working closely with the Departmental HSE CoordinatorUnderstand and manage the hazards of the lab and field environment and ensure that students are implementing appropriate safety measures, and when applicable, wearing appropriate Personal Protective EquipmentMaintain Laboratory Safety InspectionsDevelop and review Job Hazard Analyses, Standard Operating Practices, Field Risk Assessments and Laboratory Risk AssessmentsComplete and maintain all HSE training required for the position, including maintaining first aid certificationGeneral AccountabilitiesPromote and maintain safety standardsPerform the fabrication, modification, calibration, repair, evaluation, and handling of research and testing equipment in support of laboratory teaching and research activities, with guidance and oversight from senior staffAssist in the maintenance, service, and repair of research and teaching equipmentAttend and assist with student labs and clinicsAssist in equipment procurement planning and evaluation, maintenance, and upgrades in the Structures & Materials labs, including the set-up, repair and maintenance of the servo hydraulic systemAssist in the management of labs, includingmaintenance of Chemical and SDS inventorymaintenance of equipment inventoriessupporting workplace inspectionsGeneral consulting, design, assembly, and reworkBe flexibly responsive to evolving research and teaching needsOther duties as assignedOtherAssist CEE Technical Resources Assistants, co-op students, and contract personnel when requiredAssist with the setup and running of departmental competitions and special events: Capstone Design Symposium, Design Days, Explorations, Open Houses, and student teamsWork collaboratively with the other technicians on the teamOther duties as assignedRequired QualificationsEducationDiploma, apprenticeship, certification, or equivalent experience in Civil, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Architectural, or related technical disciplines, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated hands-on technical expertise may be considered in lieu of formal academic credentials.ExperienceSeveral years of experience in a laboratory, research, manufacturing, industrial, mechanical, fabrication, construction, testing, or related technical environment involving the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, modification, or construction of equipment and systems.Knowledge/Skills/AbilitiesDemonstrated mechanical aptitude and experience troubleshooting, repairing, fabricating, or modifying equipment and experimental systemsExperience operating machine shop, fabrication, welding, or related industrial equipment is an assetExperience with hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical, instrumentation, or testing systems is an assetAbility to safely operate hand tools, power tools, and shop equipment.Experience supporting technical users in laboratory, industrial, manufacturing, or construction environments is an assetStrong computer skillsAbility to manage multiple, competing prioritiesAbility to maintain attention to detail in a fast paced, multitasking environmentFlexible in assisting with new tasks as assignedExcellent written and oral communicationsExcellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, and analytical skillsExperience working with hand and power toolsValid G Driver’s License requiredKnowledge and experience in destructive structural testing and materials testing an assetKnowledge of instrumentation and data collection systems and methods an assetExperience in lab course development and instruction an assetFirst Aid Certification is an assetEquity StatementThe University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.