Mechanical Laboratory Technician I

California Baptist University; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Mechanical Laboratory Technician I at California Baptist University provides essential support to the College of Engineering by assisting faculty, staff, and students with projects and maintaining laboratory equipment through training, oversight, and routine maintenance.

This role helps ensure a safe, well-organized learning environment across the Lab facilities and supports instructional activities and coursework.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent required.
• Six months to one year related experience or training.
• Ability to operate and maintain lab equipment safely.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• ABET-aligned lab practices familiarity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support faculty, staff, and students in lab operations.
• Maintain safety policies and regulatory compliance.
• Procure, prepare, and organize instructional materials and components.
• Set up and assist with laboratory instruction and projects.
• Maintain inventory and coordinate with vendors for equipment and materials.
• Ensure proper disposal of laboratory waste and hazardous materials.

Skills

Lab safety

Equipment operation

Data collection

Recordkeeping

Problem solving

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Machinery operation

Laboratory software

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title: Mechanical Laboratory Technician I

Posting Number: S1726P

Compensation for this position is expected to range between$29.50 and $32.00 per hour, in alignment with what CaliforniaBaptist University ( CBU ) reasonably anticipates paying for thisrole. The final rate may vary depending on the candidate’squalifications, experience, and prevailing market conditions. Inaddition to competitive wages, CBU provides a comprehensive andgenerous benefits packageto eligible employees.

Position Summary Information

The Mechanical Lab Technician I provides critical support to theCollege of Engineering by assisting faculty, staff, and studentswith projects and maintaining laboratory equipment throughtraining, oversight, and routine maintenance. This role helpsensure a safe, well-organized environment that supportsinstructional activities and coursework within the Bourns MachiningLab and/or the Adams Business Park Machining Lab (collectivelyreferred to as the Lab), as well as across the College ofEngineering.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Lab Support:

• 1. Provide guidance and technical support to faculty, staff, andstudents on the safe and proper use of laboratory equipment, tools,and machinery within the Lab and the College of Engineering.
• 2. Ensure all lab activities adhere to established safety policies,procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• 3. Maintain a clean, organized, and functional laboratoryenvironment.
• 4. Procure, prepare, and organize materials, samples, andcomponents needed for instructional activities and projects.
• 5. Assist faculty and students with the setup and execution oflaboratory instruction and course-related projects.
• 6. Ensure proper storage, documentation, handling, and disposal oflaboratory materials, including hazardous waste.

Equipment Maintenance:

• 7. Perform routine maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, andminor repairs of laboratory equipment, tools, and machinery.
• 8. Coordinate with external vendors and service providers forspecialized maintenance and repair services.
• 9. Conduct regularinspections to ensure equipment functionality and compliance,including safety equipment such as emergency showers and eyewashstations throughout the Lab and College of Engineering.
• 10. Maintain accurate inventory records of equipment, tools, andsupplies, and initiate procurement as needed.

Collaboration and Training:

• 11. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and technical personnel to improve lab operations, processes, and workflow efficiency.
• 12. Partner with faculty to train students on equipment operation,safety practices, and laboratory techniques.
• 13. Support thedevelopment and delivery of laboratory instruction and projects,including staffing open lab hours as needed.
• 14. Assist in creating and updating lab manuals, standard operatingprocedures (SOPs), and safety documentation.
• 15. Ensure compliance with ABET accreditation standards andlaboratory requirements.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Other Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to living out and upholding theUniversity’s Christ‑centered mission and values.
• Demonstrated experience as a laboratory technician, machinist,or in a related role, preferably within a mechanical engineering,robotics, or research environment.
• Strong foundational knowledge of mechanical engineeringprinciples, laboratory practices, and equipment operation.
• Proficiency in operating mechanical engineering tools,machinery, robotics systems, and related software.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety standards, procedures,and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with theability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data collection,recordkeeping, and procedural documentation.
• Effective problem-solving skills, including diagnosing andresolving equipment issues.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the abilityto collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, andresearchers.
• Proficiency in using personal computers and standard softwareapplications.
• Knowledge of business English, basic mathematics, and generaloffice practices and procedures.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple projectssimultaneously.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and present data, and prepareclear and concise reports.
• Ability to interpret, apply, and adapt policies, procedures,and technical guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound administrative andprocedural decisions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective recordkeepingsystems and processes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

The physical requirements described hereare representative of those necessary to successfully perform theessential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform thesefunctions. The role regularly requires standing, walking, andsitting, as well as sufficient manual dexterity to operate acomputer keyboard and other office or laboratory equipment. It alsorequires visual acuity to read both text and numerical data and theability to communicate effectively in person and by phone.Additionally, the position occasionally requires lifting and/ormoving objects weighing up to 15 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT :

The work environment characteristicsoutlined here are representative of those encountered whileperforming the essential functions of this role. Work is primarilyconducted in a laboratory and office setting within the College ofEngineering, where the noise level is generally moderate. The rolemay involve occasional exposure to laboratory equipment andmaterials; however, adherence to established safety protocols helpsminimize potential health and safety risks.

Education and/or Experience

Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from an accredited two-yearcollege or technical school; and six months to one year of relatedexperience and/or training; or an equivalent combination ofeducation and experience.

Nondiscrimination Statement

State and Federal law permit California Baptist University todiscriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill itspurpose. The University does not discriminate contrary to eitherState or Federal law.