What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Laboratory Technician position at Texas A&M Texarkana?
Job Title
Engineering Laboratory Technician
Agency
Texas A&M University - Texarkana
Department
CBET - Engineering
Proposed Minimum Salary
$24.03 hourly
Job Location
Texarkana, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
The James C. Morriss Division of Engineering at Texas A&M University - Texarkana (TAMUT) invites applications for an Engineering Lab Technician position, beginning Spring 2026.
Salary information: The expected salary for this position is $24.03 - $26.44 an hour.
Under general supervision, the Engineering Lab Technician prepares, operates, maintains, and repairs laboratories and machine shop equipment serving both Civil and Mechanical Engineering laboratories, among other. Basic machining skills, such as operating a lathe, milling, band saw, and CNC machines, are required. The technician supports teaching and research activities by assisting faculty and students with experiments, fabricating custom test fixtures and parts, maintaining clean and organized laboratory spaces, and ensuring compliance with all applicable safety and quality standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Laboratory Operations & Equipment Maintenance
- Prepares, calibrates, and operates laboratory equipment used in mechanical and civil engineering (e.g., tensile testers, compression machines, mixers, sieves, curing tanks, triaxial shear equipment, wind tunnels, CNC, lathe, heat transfer rigs).
- Conducts testing of materials such as metals, polymers, soils, aggregates, asphalt, and concrete per ASTM and other engineering standards.
- Performs maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs on laboratory equipment across both disciplines.
- Ensures laboratory spaces, instrumentation, and equipment are safe, operational, and in compliance with TAMUS safety requirements.
Fabrication & Machine Shop Support
- Fabricates, machines, and assembles parts, fixtures, and components to support instructional labs, senior design, and faculty research.
- Works from engineering drawings, CAD models, or verbal instructions to manufacture components to precise tolerances.
- Provides machining and fabrication support for experimental setups in mechanical and civil labs.
- Cleans and organizes laboratory spaces to ensure a safe and effective teaching and research environment.
- Maintains all machine shop equipment in safe working conditions.
Academic & Administrative Support
- Orders and tracks consumables, parts, and materials for lab and shop use.
- Assists faculty and students in setting up, running, and documenting lab experiments.
- Maintains records of testing, calibrations, and safety inspections.
- Supports accreditation requirements (ABET, ASTM standards, TxDOT compliance) by ensuring proper documentation and lab readiness.
- Other duties as assigned to support program and departmental needs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Four (4) years of related experience
- Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
- Ability to maintain and operate grounds maintenance and intermediate sized tractors
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate’s degree and/or coursework in Mechanical or Civil Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, or related field.
- CNC machine experience or successful completion of an accredited apprenticeship program in this specific craft.
- Five (5) or more years of experience in a machine shop setting.
Other Requirements
- Ability to safely and effectively operate lathes, band saws, milling machines, and CNC machines.
- Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols and safe operation of machine shop equipment.
- Familiarity, experience, or ability to use specific equipment may be required.
- Skilled or semi-skilled trade skills may be required.
- Travel may be required.
- Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system or water treatment system.
- This position requires compliance with state and federal laws/codes, Texas A&M University System policies and regulations and University rules and procedures.
- All tasks and job responsibilities must be performed safely and in compliance with System and University safety requirements.
- Physical Requirements:
- Ability to lift and move heavy objects, including concrete cylinders, aggregates, metal stock, and mechanical test specimens (up to 50 lbs.).
-
May be required to work in hot, cold, and extreme weather conditions
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL:
This position generally does not supervise employees.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED.
To apply: Upload your cover letter, resume, and 3 professional reference's contact information with one reference being a supervisor/manager in the questionnaire section of your application.
Please remember once you submit your application you will not be able to “revise” or upload any documents. If you have any questions about uploading or a revision to your application, you may contact
HR@tamut.edu
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Salary : $24 - $26