Equipment Technician (Mechanical) (2 Positions)

San José State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 57,552 - 83,845; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering seeks an Equipment Technician III - Mechanical to maintain and upgrade lab equipment across engineering labs.

You will troubleshoot, design parts, train students in safe fabrication, and supervise student assistants while collaborating with College technicians. This role emphasizes safety, hands-on repair, and developing equipment for teaching and research, with opportunities to learn new technologies and support diverse

Qualifications

• Equivalent to three years of journey-level or skilled experience maintaining scientific or technical equipment.
• One year of design modifications and fabrication of complex equipment may be substituted for part of the required experience.
• Apprenticeship or military training may substitute for experience where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and upgrades equipment and instrumentation in engineering labs.
• Performs fault diagnostics and repairs on complex teaching equipment.
• Designs and fabricates parts for student and faculty projects.
• Trains students in safe fabrication practices and operations.
• Supervises student assistants and collaborates with other College technicians.

Skills

Machine shop fabrication

Troubleshooting & repair

Equipment installation & maintenance

Design & fabrication of parts

Safety training & practices

Communication skills

Learning new tech

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CAD/CAM

3D printing

Welding

Instrumentation & controls

Job description

Job no: 559298; Work type: Staff; Location: San José; Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Full Time, Trades, On-site (work in-person at business location).

Job Summary

San José State University’s Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering is an innovative, collaborative, and supportive environment that empowers employees to achieve professional and personal goals while contributing to the university’s student-centered mission. A member of the 23-campus California State university system, San José State University (SJSU) is situated in the entrepreneurial heart of Silicon Valley. The College of Engineering at San Jose State University comprises ten departments and independent programs which employs nearly 400 faculty and staff to support more than 7,000 local and international students. Committed to excellence and service, the expert staff of the College of Engineering frequently work with multiple external stakeholders and partners from across campus and other institutions.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Student Success, with Work Lead direction from the Engineering Building & Safety Lead or the Engineering Central Shops Department Lead, the Equipment Technician designs and maintains equipment within the college, with a particular focus on departments to which assigned. The Equipment Technician assists with faculty and student projects, trains students to use safe practices, monitors safety practices in student work spaces in the departments to which assigned, and applies corrective actions as needed.

This position advances strategic initiatives and ensures day-to-day business functions are aligned with the core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains and upgrades equipment and instrumentation in laboratories for the assigned departments, such as electromechanical, material property test, and machine shop equipment.
• Performs fault diagnostics accompanied by highly skilled repair of complex and custom research and teaching equipment.
• Designs and fabricates parts for student and faculty projects.
• Supports redesign of instructional spaces to meet department needs.
• Provides assistance with equipment maintenance and upgrades in other departments in the College of Engineering.
• Ensures safe operation of department labs, club spaces, and machine shops in the assigned departments.
• Trains students in safe fabrication practices.
• Inventories supplies and materials for labs and shops in the assigned departments. Orders parts, tools, and instruments.
• Supervises student assistants.
• Participates as a member of College’s technician team. Interfaces collaboratively and effectively with other College technicians; assists other departments with technical issues when needed.
• Programs and maintains omnilocks for the college.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated skill in basic machine shop fabrication practices and tools such as mill, lathe, CNC, drill press, arc welder, CAD/CAM, 3D printing, and others.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair, install and replace, modify and maintain equipment and associated instrumentation down to the module level. Examples include pumps, engines, various sensors and gauges, ovens, material property testing equipment, wind tunnels, electromechanical devices, and machine shop equipment such as drill presses and lathes. Additional consideration will be given to those candidates with knowledge of data acquisition systems, instrumentation and controls, and those who can weld.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people including department chairs and faculty, students, other college technicians, facilities and operations, and vendors.
• Ability to identify and initiate tasks, to prioritize tasks, and to work independently.
• Ability and desire to learn new technical skills both on-the-job and through pertinent training. This may include the ability to learn, adapt to, and apply artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to three years of progressively responsible journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly technical equipment or equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience or equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned. Completion of an apprenticeship program or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience. A Federal Communications Commission license is required for some positions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technology or closely related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a technical environment
• Experience with welding and/or supervision of students or junior employees

Compensation

Classification: Equipment Technician III - Mechanical

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,157/month - $5,583/month (Step 1 – Step 5)

CSU Salary Range: $5,157/month - $7,513/month (Step 1 – Step 20)

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: July 15, 2026 through July 29, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

People and Culture

Email: (redacted)

Policies and Disclosures

CSU Vaccination Policy: The CSU recommends that all individuals who access in-person instruction follow CDC and CDPH vaccine recommendations applicable to their age and condition and comply with safety measures established by the campus. The policy is available at the university policy site.

Additional Information: Satisfactory completion of a background check is required for employment. The offer may be contingent on the results of a background check, and possession of required degrees or certifications will be required at time of hire. Some positions may require fingerprinting or other checks. SJSU is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions.

Equal Employment Statement: SJSU is an equal opportunity employer. Discrimination based on protected characteristics is prohibited by law. Reasonable accommodation is provided for applicants with disabilities. All employees are mandated reporters under applicable laws.

Advertised: July 15, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time