NIAR Instrumentation Technician - Full Scale Structural Test

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University NIAR Full Scale Structural Test team seeks a skilled technician to support installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of lab equipment onsite. This role aids troubleshooting, data collection, documentation, and supervising students during research projects.

Responsibilities include calibration, adjustments, preventative maintenance, and ensuring safe testing operations in a hands-on environment. On-site work with standard 8–5 hours is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and 2 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of calibration standards and preventative maintenance.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair laboratory equipment.
• Familiarity with lab safety protocols and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Installs, troubleshoots, repairs, calibrates/adjusts, and maintains equipment.
• Performs preventative maintenance and/or analytical testing on equipment.
• Performs and/or observes measurement equipment tests.
• Supervises undergraduate and graduate students to ensure satisfactory completion of research projects.
• Maintains, calculates and prepares reports and records.
• Establishes, updates, and reviews laboratory procedures according to standards and requirements.
• Provides training to staff as needed to ensure proper process implementation.

Skills

Equipment calibration

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Lab safety procedures

Measurement data collection

Analytical testing

Record keeping

Safety in confined spaces

Procedures interpretation

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Measuring equipment

Testing instruments

Job description

Department: NIAR Full Scale Structural Test

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - Other Wichita Location

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule: Typically Monday - Friday; 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement

This position requires access to EAR or ITAR controlled technologies. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a "U.S. Citizen".

Job Details

NIAR’s Full Scale Structural Test team is seeking a skilled technician to support hands‑on installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of laboratory and test equipment. This onsite role plays a key part in ensuring safe, accurate, and reliable testing operations while assisting with troubleshooting, analytical measurements, procedural documentation, and student supervision.

Job Summary

Conducts and assists with installation, troubleshooting, calibrating, maintaining, operating, and repairing equipment

Essential Functions

Installs, troubleshoots, repairs, calibrates/adjusts, and maintains equipment. Performs preventative maintenance and/or analytical testing on equipment. Performs and/or observes measurement equipment tests. Supervises undergraduate and graduate students to ensure satisfactory completion of research projects Maintains, calculates and prepares reports and records. Establishes, updates, and reviews laboratory procedures according to appropriate standards and/or requirements. Provides training to staff as needed to ensure proper process implementation.

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two (2) years of related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of equipment calibration standards, preventative maintenance, and basic troubleshooting methods.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and procedures, including documentation requirements.
• Familiarity with measurement equipment and data collection principles.
• Skill in installing, maintaining, repairing, and calibrating laboratory or testing equipment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills to diagnose mechanical or instrumentation issues.
• Ability to perform accurate analytical testing and record keeping.
• Ability to work safely in confined, elevated, loud, or physically demanding environments.
• Ability to interpret and follow technical procedures, standards, and equipment manuals.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to manipulate tools and test instruments requiring fine motor dexterity.

Physical Requirements

Ability to position self for inspection, construction or maintenance of equipment and/or buildings including confined, elevated and loud noise spaces. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to interpret effectively, accurately and impartially, both receptively and expressively. Ability to move, transport, and/or deliver items, supplies, or equipment. Ability to use tools, equipment, and technology necessary to do the job. This includes dexterity in instrument manipulation.