Laboratory Technician

Cape Peninsula University of Technology; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is seeking a Laboratory Technician to support the Fluid laboratory within the Mechanical Engineering department. The role requires preparing, demonstrating, conducting and evaluating practical classes, ensuring safety and accuracy in a busy lab environment.

Responsibilities include operating hydraulic benches, wind tunnel and related equipment, maintaining lab machinery, guiding students, and coordinating class setups.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering; two years of relevant lab experience.
• A B-Tech/Advanced Diploma is a recommended qualification.
• Basic computer literacy is required.

Responsibilities

• Operate fluid laboratory machines such as hydraulic benches, wind tunnel, pumps and pneumatics.
• Maintain machinery and lab equipment to ensure uptime.
• Layout class material and set up equipment for demonstrations.
• Guide students in using the fluid lab and conducting experiments.
• Prepare labs for classes and manage lab bookings.
• Ensure the fluid lab is clean and ready for use.
• Uphold laboratory safety and standards at all times.
• Familiarity with rotor/venturi devices and hydraulic test instrumentation.
• Calibrate instrumentation and operate wind tunnel related equipment.
• Understand pumps connected in series and parallel; work with pneumatics.

Skills

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Mechatronic Engineering knowledge

Laboratory experience

Machinery maintenance experience

Basic computer knowledge

Education

Diploma in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering

B-Tech/Advanced Diploma recommended

Tools

Hydraulic benches

Wind tunnel

Pumps

Instrumentation calibration

Job description

Laboratory Technician

Faculty

Department

Cape Peninsula University of Technology -> Engineering and the Built Environment -> Mechanical Engineering

Campus/ Location

Job Type

Permanent

Occupational Function

Support / Admin

Number of Positions

1

Annual Salary Package (incl. Medical Aid rate based on principal member only)

To be confirmed

Advert Closing Date

9/10/2026

Job Purpose

Laboratory Technician to safely prepare, demonstrate, conduct, and evaluate practical classes within a Fluid laboratory.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Diploma in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering. A B-Tech degree or Advanced Diploma in Mechanical or Mechatronic Engineering is recommended.
• At least Twoyears relevant experience in a laboratory or related environment.
• Machinery maintenance environment will be an added advantage

Key Performance Areas / Principal Accountabilities

• Operating Fluid laboratory machines such as hydraulic workbenches, wind tunnel, pumps, Pneumatics and associated fluid apparatus and more
• Maintenance of machinery and lab equipment
• Laying out of class material and setting up equipment
• Guiding students making use of the fluid lab and experiments
• General preparations for classes/instructions and lab bookings
• Make sure that the fluid lab is always clean and usable state
• Ensure laboratory safety and standards are always upheld
• Familiar with hydraulic work benches (rotameter calibration, venturi meter, K-factor, Hydraulic depth, jet forces, vortex motion)
• Familiar with instrumentation calibration
• Familiar with wind tunnel operation and associated instrumentation (drag over sphere, vortex shedding)
• Familiar with pumps connected in series and parallel
• Familiar with pneumatics
• Time management
• Physical fitness
• Safety awareness
• Ability to understand written and verbal instructions
• Strong learner focus
• Have basic computer knowledge

General Information

Closing Date: 09 October 2026

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology is committed to Employment Equity and aims to attract and retain talented individuals to achieve our equity objectives and therefore, people from the designated groups, including those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to applicants whose appointment contributes towards the achievement of demographic representation. We reserve the right not to make an appointment.

Copyright, Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
We are a university in Cape Town, South Africa and the only university of Technology in the Western Cape province.
We are also the largest university in the province.