Engineering Lab Technician - Mechanical Engineering

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennesaw State University in Marietta, GA seeks an Engineering Lab Technician to maintain and repair mechanical engineering lab equipment, prepare SOPs, and assist students and faculty with fabrication and testing. Candidates will ensure equipment safety and proper operation in undergraduate labs.

This regular, full-time role supports the instructional mission of the College by keeping laboratories functional and up to date through hands-on maintenance, documentation, and safe practice training.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent in engineering technology or related field.
• Valid driver's license.
• No prior work experience required.
• Strong safety and equipment maintenance knowledge.
• Familiarity with lab documentation and SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and repairs engineering lab equipment and keeps records.
• Prepares equipment for courses and purchases parts as needed.
• Assists with fabrication of components and test specimens.
• Maintains inventory and enforces safe practices in labs.
• Completes training and stays current with technology for fabrication, maintenance, and assembly.
• Guides safe equipment operation and lab procedures.
• Supports college maintenance by fabricating and repairing university equipment.
• Allocates 10-30% of time across departments for setup and tasks.
• Procures components and materials for fabrication and repair.
• Manages spare parts inventory and lab cleanliness.

Skills

Knowledge of mechanical systems

Electrical troubleshooting with multí​

Mechanical tooling proficiency

G-code / CNC learning

Fabrication part specs

SolidWorks / CAD software

Chemistry basics for safety

Physics fundamentals

Multitasking under deadlines

Education

Associate's degree in engineering technology

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Job description

Job Title: Engineering Lab Technician - Mechanical Engineering
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 300631

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Department Information

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Prepares, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs mechanical engineering lab equipment (ex. tensile/torsion, fluid flow energy loss, pumps, heat exchangers, vibration etc.)
• 2. Prepare Standard Operating Procedures, safety guidelines for labs or equipment, and other documents relevant to the use of mechanical equipment.
• 3. Assist students and faculty with fabrication or 3D printing of components, test specimens and parts and ensure students follow safe practices and receive proper training.
• 4. Constructs complex precision components, mechanical devices and structures using manual/CNC fabrication and/or 3D printing methods.
• 5. Determines mechanical equipment supply quantities and ensures stock is available
• 6. Prepares, operates, trains and oversees operation of a wide variety of mechanical equipment such as 3D printers, power tools, CNC Mills/Lathes, water jet cutters, welders, manual mills/lathes, robotic arms
• 7. Recommendation and specifies new mechanical or aerospace engineering lab equipment or related upgrades

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• ¿ Knowledge of mechanical systems (pumps, hydraulics, heat exchangers, etc.)
• ¿ Basic electrical troubleshooting using a multimeter
• ¿ Proficiency in the use of mechanical tooling (power and manual)
• ¿ Knowledge of or the ability to efficiently learn mechanical and/or aerospace testing processes
• ¿ Knowledge of or the ability to efficiently learn G-code and various CNC machining equipment
• ¿ Knowledge of engineering and proper specifications for fabrication of parts
• ¿ Operational knowledge of SolidWorks or similar CAD software
• ¿ Proficiency in or the ability to learn elementary chemistry, an understanding of toxicity levels, chemical reactions, etc.)
• ¿ Proficiency in or the ability to learn elementary physics (forces, load transfer, vibration, energy transfer)

Job Summary

Provide hands-on technical services and practical application guidance to students and faculty in an undergraduate engineering research setting. Technician duties depend on the specialized field of study. Supports the instructional mission of the College and University by maintaining the mechanical aspects of the laboratories and specialized equipment in those laboratories.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Maintains and repairs engineering lab equipment and maintains associated records
• 2. Prepares engineering lab equipment for engineering lab courses and purchases parts and/or components for machines and/or specimens
• 3. Assists students and faculty with fabrication of components, lab projects, student projects, test specimens and research parts
• 4. Maintains inventory and contributes to best safety practices ensuring students receive proper training and follow safe practices in accordance with appropriate standards
• 5. Completes periodic training courses and maintains knowledge and skill with changing technology for fabrication, maintenance, and assembly
• 6. Provides guidance regarding safe equipment operation and implementation of laboratory procedures
• 7. Provides support to the College with maintenance by fabricating and repairing university equipment
• 8. Provides support to the College by working 10-30% each week across multiple departments on college related tasks (ex. equipment set up)
• 9. Procures components and materials needed for fabrication, assembly, and/or repair of laboratory systems
• 10. Manages an inventory of spare parts and enforce practices of general laboratory organization and cleanliness

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Associate's, technical, vocational or related degree and/or certificate from an accredited institution of higher education or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience

Other Required Qualifications

Current, valid and unrestricted driver's license

Required Experience

None

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

• An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field
• Certificate in an engineering technology field related to the assigned discipline
• Certificate in welding, CNC Machining, tool and die in engineering technologies related to mechanical, aerospace systems or manufacturing processes

Preferred Experience

• Previous related industrial experience
• Previous experience working with customers and/or in higher education
• Two years (2) of related work experience
• Previous experience working in higher education
• CNC machining experience producing high quality objects

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

• Extensive knowledge of appropriate safety standards
• Knowledge of basic programming and equipment related to assigned area
• Knowledge of engineering materials and proper specifications for components

SKILLS

• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the department (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, CAD/CAM software)
• Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position will not travel
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• MVR
• 9 Panel Lab Drug Test

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf