Instructional Lab Technician

Instructional Lab Technician

Reporting to the Assistant Director for ECE Labs and Safety in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), the Instructional Lab Technician provides essential technical and instructional support for undergraduate teaching laboratories. This role ensures that teaching labs are properly maintained, equipped, and operating safely at all times.

Core duties include: working safely with, in, and around electrical equipment; assembling and installing equipment requiring wiring, soldering, or connecting; configuring, operating, and adjusting test equipment within ECE teaching labs; conducting circuit troubleshooting on electronic devices; troubleshooting, modifying, and adjusting experimental circuitry prototypes; recording and reporting test data as it pertains to teaching lab needs; and supporting and, when needed, overseeing the work of students in the ECE Capstone Design course, particularly in the construction and testing of electronic assemblies.

The Instructional Lab Technician also assists instructors with developing new experiments and provides direct assistance and mentorship to students and Teaching Assistants.

Four days on‑site per week; one day remote per teaching and lab schedule. Standard hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; evening and weekend coverage required as necessary.

This position works primarily in undergraduate teaching laboratories involving electrical and electronic equipment. The role requires regular physical activity including setting up and breaking down lab equipment, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field, with at least four years of experience supporting or overseeing a university teaching laboratory.
• Master's degree preferred or vocational training/technical certification in electrical controls (or equivalent) plus relevant experience in a teaching lab or technical environment.
• Experience training or supervising students in a lab or technical environment preferred.

• Familiarity with standard electrical test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, power supplies, function/wave generators, and AC/DC and ohm meters.
• Familiarity with programming environments including Arduino and Raspberry Pi; some circuit design and sensor selection experience preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of power supplies and their safe operation.
• Familiarity with PCB manufacturing is a plus.
• Basic familiarity with 3D printing is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of networking and network troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Strong communication, problem‑solving, and organizational skills; ability to train, instruct, and mentor students and Teaching Assistants. Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to rapidly evolving course requirements. Ability to work and coordinate with offices including Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), facilities, and risk management.

• Prepare teaching labs daily and weekly, including equipment setup and takedown; some labs require new configurations on a weekly or semi‑weekly basis.
• Perform routine equipment testing, monitoring, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance on electrical equipment, circuits, and electronic devices.
• Update and install software on lab equipment and computers as needed.
• Maintain lab inventory, place supply and equipment orders, and coordinate acquisition and installation of new equipment.
• Ensure labs are clean, organized, and ready for scheduled classes and open lab sessions.
• Maintain and update lab schedules and manage lab availability for students and faculty.

• Support students in ECE laboratory courses (e.g., Capstone Design) with topics including Arduino, data acquisition, electronic design, and circuit troubleshooting.
• Train and supervise Teaching Assistants.
• Provide instruction on the proper…