Laboratory Engineer - School of Engineering and Computing (SEC)

Position Details

Posting Summary

Position Title Laboratory Engineer - School of Engineering and Computing (SEC)

Posting Number AS1164P

Subdivision School of Engineering and Computing

Division Col. of Engineering & Business

Department Electrical & Cyber Engineering

Location Erie, Pa

Position Summary

The Laboratory Engineer provides operational, instructional, and technical support for Electrical and Cyber Engineering ( ECE ) laboratories, instructional spaces, and related academic activities. The position supports laboratory operations, hands-on learning initiatives, common engineering curriculum experiences, student projects, and interdisciplinary instructional activities through coordination of laboratory spaces, equipment, fabrication and prototyping resources, instructional technologies, and student support activities. This position engages directly with the MakerSpace to support academic integration, operations and projects with up to 20% of their time. The Laboratory Engineer assists faculty, staff, and students with laboratory instrumentation, departmental technology needs, laboratory equipment, and related academic hardware/software resources within ECE and designated Mechanical Engineering laboratories. The position also supports senior design projects, workshops, outreach activities, and experiential learning initiatives aligned with departmental priorities and instructional needs. The candidate must be able to support and promote the University’s Mission.

Essential Functions

• Provide laboratory equipment diagnostic information and assist faculty with the development and documentation of laboratory procedures.
• Maintain laboratory equipment performance by establishing appropriate quality, safety and operational standards.
• Develop operational, quality, safety, and troubleshooting procedures; ensure students’ compliance with laboratory processes and safe equipment usage; coordinate equipment replacement, service, maintenance, and repair.
• Maintain laboratory and fabrication supply inventories by monitoring course and project needs; anticipate needed supplies; place and expedite orders for supplies; verify receipt of supplies.
• Maintain laboratory productivity through effective scheduling and coordination of laboratory spaces, equipment usage, by monitoring course schedules and students’ lab engagements.
• Ensure qualitative report presentation by students when required, by providing guidance on projects; performing proficiency surveys for both faculty, graduate assistants, and student workers; make adjustments in policy and procedures as needed; generate reports; maintain records.
• Maintain laboratory information documentation/system by identifying information needs and problems; recommend improvements; establish priorities; periodically test laboratory equipment to ensure optimal performance; write user manuals; maintain security of laboratory equipment.
• Assist with the implementation and evaluation of new lab procedures, tests, and instrumentation by investigating alternatives; prepare proposals.
• Assist with the recruitment, selection, orientation and training and supervision of student workers and graduate assistants.
• Support outreach activities, demonstrations, open houses, camps, workshops, and experiential learning initiatives.
• Provide technical and operational support for senior design projects and related student activities.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, webinars, and online training sessions; review professional publications as it relates to laboratory procedures and responsibilities.
• Assist the department in ensuring compliance with requirements of accrediting bodies.
• Resolve problems by consulting with manufacturers and equipment representatives, other laboratory managers, faculty, and attending related meetings.
• Contribute to team efforts by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Assist with setup, maintenance, and support of departmental technology resources including PCs, laptops, laboratory instrumentation, and related academic hardware/software systems within ECE , and designated ME laboratories .
• General Duties: Performs other tasks as assigned within the scope of the position as needed.
  
  

Required Qualifications

Education: Minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, OR engineering technology. The Laboratory Engineer must be able to set up and operate robots, machine tools (e.g., lathe, mill, drill press, etc.), PLCs, electronics equipment, fabrication/prototyping equipment, and 3D printers as appropriate to assigned responsibilities.

Experience: A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in the maintenance of electrical and computer engineering equipment is preferred.

Skills: The ability to work well with others, manufacture of parts, design and produce prototypes. The candidate should be proficient in the application of microcontrollers to the development of prototypes; Microsoft server administration and setup; knowledge of VMware and virtualization infrastructure and implementation; broad knowledge of and experience with electric circuits and integrated circuits, transformers, electric machines, and power electronics components; knowledge of professional software installation and maintenance; and knowledge of networking and hardware maintenance.

University Mission: Must be able to support and promote the University’s Mission.

Preferred Qualifications

Physical Demands

The candidate must be able to meet the physical demands associated with working in a busy lab and classroom environment.

Exempt Status Exempt

Position Classification Professional Technician

Position Type Staff

Employment Status Full-Time

Position Length 12M

Hours per Week 37.5

Work Schedule M-F 8:00-4:30

Shift 1st