Sr Electronic Lab Technician

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston is seeking a Sr. Electronic Lab Technician to support teaching, research, and capstone projects in the Chemical Engineering department.

The role focuses on maintaining equipment, installing, calibrating, and troubleshooting analytical instruments, while mentoring students across undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will guide hands-on design, fabrication, and lab safety, coordinate equipment purchases, and ensure a

Qualifications

• Experience with mechanical/electrical testing equipment.
• Ability to fabricate samples for mechanical/electrical testing.
• Knowledge of safe lab operations.
• Ability to coordinate with Safety Officer, purchasing, and facilities.
• Programming proficiency with Arduino and Raspberry Pi; basic circuit design and sensor selection.
• 5–8 years of related experience; trade school background.
• Strong communication for collaboration with researchers and students.
• Proficient in 3D printing and CAD software (SolidWorks/AutoCAD).
• Experience with MATLAB and data acquisition systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, replace, or install teaching and research lab equipment and instruments to ensure safety and continuous operation.
• Perform preventive maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting in teaching and research labs.
• Provide safety oversight for electronic and mechanical projects; manage data acquisition systems.
• Diagnose, disassemble, and repair equipment in labs.
• Collaborate with department staff and NU units to support fabrication; participate in Safety Committee.
• Source replacement equipment and parts for unrepairable or outdated gear.
• Coordinate lab space repairs with NU facilities and submit work orders.
• Maintain inventories and equipment maintenance logs and calibration records.
• Fabrication support using 3D printing and hand tools; create CAD drawings for parts and assemblies.
• Mentor students on design, construction, testing, and troubleshooting of assemblies; supervise 3D printer use and instrument operations.

Skills

Electrical testing

Fabrication

Lab safety

3D printing

Programming

Arduino

Raspberry Pi

CAD (SolidWorks/AutoCAD)

MATLAB

Data acquisition

Education

Trade school

Tools

Arduino

Raspberry Pi

Circuit design

Sensor selection

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

MATLAB

Data Acquisition systems

Job description

Job Summary

About the Opportunity JOB SUMMARY: The Sr. Electronic Lab Technician provides comprehensive technical and operational support for teaching, research, and student project activities within the Department of Chemical Engineering. This role supports faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scholars by delivering expertise in design, fabrication, equipment maintenance, and laboratory operations. The position ensures that laboratory infrastructure, equipment, and instructional environments function efficiently, safely, and reliably. The Sr. Electronic Lab Technician maintains equipment, coordinates equipment acquisition, and provides technical guidance and mentoring to students. This position plays a critical role in supporting hands‑on learning and research productivity within the department. Reporting to the Dir. of Operations and Business Management in the Chemical Engineering Department, the Sr Electronic Lab Technician will perform an array of duties, including: (1) Working safely with, in, and around lab equipment; (2) Assembling/installing equipment or parts; (3) Performing tasks/tests on equipment and instruments; (4) Configuring, operating and adjusting various analytical instruments; (5) Conducting troubleshooting on various electronic and mechanical equipment; (6) Troubleshooting, modifying, and repairing lab equipment and instruments (7) Supporting and, when needed, overseeing the work of students in the Chemical Engineering Capstone Design courses and (8) Providing assistance to students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of mechanical/electrical testing equipment.
• Ability to fabricate samples for mechanical/electrical testing.
• Knowledge of safe lab operations.
• Ability to work with and coordinate with the Department Safety Officer, purchasing, and NU facilities.
• Proficiency in programming, including Arduino, Raspberry PI, and some circuit design and sensor selection.
• Knowledge and skills required are normally obtained through vocational training/technical certification and 5-8 years of experience.
• Trade school and 5-8 years of experience
• Effective communication for collaborating with researchers and students.
• Strong mechanical and fabrication skills.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment.
• Proficient in 3D printing and associated CAD software (SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD)
• Experience with Data Acquisition systems
• Experience with MATLAB
• Proficiency with MS office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point).

Additional Requirements

• Work is performed in laboratory and classroom environments.
• Regular use of equipment, tools, and laboratory instruments.
• May require lifting, moving, and installing equipment and materials.
• Work required to be done on campus, Monday through Frid

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lab Maintenance & Operations Maintain, replace, or install teaching and research lab equipment and analytical instruments to ensure safety, reliability, and continuous operation.
• Perform or assist with scheduled preventive maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting in teaching and research labs.
• Provide safety oversight for electronic-based and mechanical-based projects, manage data acquisition systems, and troubleshoot issues.
• Repair - Diagnose, disassemble, and make all necessary repairs to equipment in the teaching and research labs.
• Collaborate with departmental staff and other Northeastern University units to support fabrication, as needed Be an active member of the Department Safety Committee.
• Locate Replacement Equipment & Parts- Find suitable replacements for un-repairable or outdated lab equipment and parts.
• Lab Space Repairs and Improvements - Work with NU facilities (submit work orders) to have electrical, plumbing and HVAC problems in teaching and research labs corrected.
• Contribute to and maintain teaching laboratory inventory tracking and stock management.
• Contribute to and maintain equipment maintenance logs and calibration records.
• Fabrication & Programming Operations Fabrication- Use 3D printing & hand tools to support teaching lab operations.
• Support students with Design- Use CAD software (AutoCAD & SolidWorks) to create drawings of parts, fixtures and assemblies used by research lab personnel, teaching lab students, ChemE Car members and Capstone students.
• Student Supervision, Technical Consultation, Training & Mentoring Consult and mentor on student projects in the ChemE Teaching Labs, specifically regarding design, construction, testing, and troubleshooting of electronic and mechanical assemblies Assist students when needed by: Providing safety oversight for electric- and electronic-based projects, supporting hands‑on learning by providing technical guidance that enhances student project outcomes and research productivity. Consult and mentor students on part design, manufacturability, tolerancing, material selection, and fabrication best practices. Train & supervise students in safe 3D printer and analytical instrument operations Procurement Support Source outside vendor for equipment and instrumentation if unable to fix in‑house Order shop supplies, tooling, materials, and consumables Coordinate the acquisition of new equipment by obtaining quotes, advising on technical specifications, and supporting purchasing decisions.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Resume Cover Letter Position Type Research Additional Information

Compensation

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 108H Expected Hiring Range: $29.00 - $40.96

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real‑world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.