Engineering Lab Specialist
Tracking Code: req1819
Faculty/Department: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Number of Positions: 1
Appointment Type: Limited Term 1 year
Hours of Work: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: - Starting Salary, Step 1 $87,889
Posting Date: November 3, 2025
Closing Date: November 14, 2025 (7:00 pm EST)
Job Summary: The Engineering Lab Specialist supports and maintains the teaching laboratory equipment and facilities, provides equipment and safety training to teaching assistants and students, and provides oversight to student projects involving experimentation or construction.
In addition, the Engineering Lab Specialist uses engineering principles to design and build new laboratory equipment and experiments, adapt new equipment to existing experiments, upgrade existing equipment and facilities, and provide engineering support to student projects
Nature of work:
Reports to the Manager, Technical Services.
Responsibilities/accountabilities:
Support Undergraduate Laboratories
Maintain and support undergraduate teaching labs, engineering student design labs and common shared laboratory facilities with the help of other technical staff in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Responsible for setup, design, fabrication, testing and operation of mechatronics and engineering laboratory equipment including but not limited to micro-controllers, data acquisition systems, wiring and prototyping, PLCs, industrial grade controllers and peripheral equipment e.g. electrical machines, power equipment, mechanical drives, actuators as well as instrumentation
Program and troubleshoot microprocessors/microcontrollers and integrate with various mechatronic components and systems
Train teaching assistants, staff and faculty on the safe use of the equipment and maintain training records
Participate in safety inspections, lab tours, open houses and engineering accreditation
Troubleshoot computer hardware problems and create security policies on computers
Troubleshoot data acquisition problems, computer networking and streaming server issues and audio/visual/multimedia equipment in the Faculty
Calibrate laboratory equipment
Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and write maintenance reports
Ensure Safety of Laboratories
Perform checks on facilities, safety equipment
Train teaching assistants and students on safety principles
Set up safety quizzes for labs
Enforcing safety standards and regulations in labs
Participate in health and safety inspections.
Laboratory Enhancements
Identify opportunities for improvement in current lab delivery
Develop and implement projects to improve lab delivery
Update equipment manuals
Update safety manuals
Update lab manuals
Make laboratory equipment purchase recommendations to faculty members in the area of responsibility
Support Students in Undergraduate Projects
Provide guidance on engineering principles
Provide support for material acquisition
Provide support for techniques (electronics, mechatronics, electrical, programming and mechanical)
Recruitment
Support displays for open houses
Participate in tours, special engagements etc.
Support photo and video shoots
Required Skills:
Strong communication skills
Strong diagnostic and problem-solving skills across software, systems, and hardware
Proven excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills for content in a range of styles
Software skills in the creation of content (video, image, audio) for social media platforms and formal design reporting
Required Education:
Completion of a Formal Post-Secondary/College/University Program of Four Academic Years in engineering
- Verification of Academic credentials may be required
Required Experience:
Experience in engineering principles and knowledge of various fields required (electrical, mechatronics, electronics and computer)
Demonstrated expertise in some or all of the following is preferred: computer hardware, software, electronics, communication systems and microprocessors
Knowledge of computers and other hardware used in university laboratories that support science and engineering courses is preferred
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until November 14, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the university and the OPSEU. To the extent that policies are not included in the collective agreement, employment will also be governed by the university’s policies which may also be found on our website https://ontariotechu.ca and which may be amended from time-to-time.
Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.
Job Location: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Expected Start Date: 12/1/2025
Expected End Date: 11/1/2026
