Lab & Maintenance Technician

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

32d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials in the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech is seeking a skilled Department Technician to provide technical and operational support for the department’s teaching, research, and laboratory activities. The position will be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, operating, and supporting a diverse range of laboratory, research, testing, and manufacturing equipment, while also assisting faculty, staff, and students with the development and implementation of experimental and testing setups. The Department operates a broad range of facilities and equipment supporting wood and structural materials testing, packaging and unit load testing, wood and packaging manufacturing, environmental conditioning, and chemistry and materials research. Equipment includes servo-hydraulic and electromechanical testing systems, vibration and shock testing equipment, environmental chambers, computerized cutting and manufacturing equipment, data acquisition and control systems, and specialized laboratory instrumentation. This position requires a hands-on, solutions-oriented individual who can independently assess technical needs, identify appropriate approaches and components, troubleshoot equipment and systems, and work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, university personnel, and external service providers. The technician will play an important role in maintaining the department’s technical infrastructure and ensuring that its facilities and equipment effectively support teaching, research, and departmental operations.

Requirements

Mechatronics, electro-mechanical technician or similar qualifications.
Ability to effectively communicate and work with faculty, staff, students and vendors.
Experience working in an industrial, laboratory or research setting.
Proven ability to multitask and prioritize departmental needs.
Ability to interpret and write standard operating procedures and test setup protocol.
Ability to drive a forklift.
Ability to complete assignments independently or as part of a team.
Experience with Microsoft office software and basic computer skills.
Safe driving record.

Nice To Haves

Experience in conducting standard test procedures for structural materials and unit loads.
Ability to operate and maintain servo-hydraulic, pneumatic and programmable logic controller (PLC) equipment.
Experience with the use of thermocouples, potentiometers, LVDTs and accelerometers.
Experience in programming data acquisition equipment and programing in LABVIEW or similar software.
Experience in using materials handling equipment such as forklifts and pallet jacks.
Experience with maintenance of conditioning/environmental chambers and freezers.

Responsibilities

Maintain, operate, troubleshoot, and support a broad range of laboratory, testing, and research equipment within the department, including environmental chambers, hydraulic and electromechanical testing systems, vibration and shock testing equipment, computerized cutting tables, and specialized equipment used in chemistry and materials laboratories.
Implement preventative maintenance for equipment at the Brooks Forest Products Center.
Assist with scheduling teaching and research equipment within the Brooks Forest Products Center.
Conduct setup of testing fixtures and test setups to support teaching and research.
Provide technical support for department-wide research, teaching, experiential learning and student project needs.
Coordinate with company technicians, Virginia Tech facilities and other staff for calibration, maintenance, repair and new equipment installations.
Participate in the development and implementation of safety protocols with the responsible investigators and laboratory personnel.
Working with faculty, develop standard operating procedures for testing and research equipment.