Prototype Equipment Technician — Food Science Labs

Opt For Healthy Living; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site work at Cal Poly campus

Job summary

Cal Poly is seeking a College Equipment Technician to manage maintenance, installation, and repair of highly technical equipment across Food Science, Nutrition, and Meat/Dairy labs. You will support for‑profit operations related to the department and assist with prototype projects.

Responsibilities include troubleshooting, fabricating parts, welding and soldering, and ensuring safe operation of steam and condensate systems, with a focus on customer-driven laboratory workflows.

Qualifications

• Experience maintaining scientific or technical equipment with design modifications.
• Ability to fabricate and repair equipment for food science and animal science labs.
• Knowledge of safe operation of condensate and steam systems.
• Skill in diagnosing electrical and electronic circuits on lab equipment.
• Fabrication of mechanical components in a machine shop setting.
• Ability to design equipment modifications for coursework and research.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and operate specialized equipment for CAFES labs and projects.
• Provide technical support for department operations and pilot plant activities.
• Design and fabricate custom equipment as required by courses and research.
• Troubleshoot and restore equipment quickly to minimize downtime.

Skills

Troubleshooting equipment issues

Operate, repair and fabricate lab/food

Welding, soldering, brazing

Electrical and electronic circuit work

Mechanical fabrication using machine工具

Education

Three years journey-level experience in technical equipment maintenance

Two years semi-skilled replacement/educational support substitution

Trade school/technical training in equipment repair (Food Science/Dairy/Meat)

Tools

Lathes

Mills

Shaper

Job description

Cal Poly is seeking a College Equipment Technician to manage maintenance, installation, and repair of highly technical equipment across Food Science, Nutrition, and Meat/Dairy labs. You will support for‑profit operations related to the department and assist with prototype projects.

Responsibilities include troubleshooting, fabricating parts, welding and soldering, and ensuring safe operation of steam and condensate systems, with a focus on customer-driven laboratory workflows.