Job Description

Req Id: 36114
City: West Lafayette

Job Description:
Job Summary
The Ray W. Herrick Laboratories is looking to fill a new hands-on, technical services, Senior Engineering Technician position, which will provide guidance and support to students and faculty in an engineering research setting. The position will involve the design and fabrication of equipment and instrumentation; recommend and procure components or materials needed for fabrication, testing, integration, or repairs; and review schematics and drawings to modify equipment and instrumentation to required specifications. This role may advise on design dimensions and tolerances and material compatibility. The position will ensure compliance with safety systems and practices to minimize risk of failure in the research/testing environment. Additionally, the Senior Engineering Technician will support collaborative research projects across campus that involve Herrick faculty and students.

The Lead Engineering Technician position includes the above in addition to being a recognized specialist within their work area. The Lead position serves as the team lead and may include leading daily operations, training, delegating, and reviewing the work of lower-level employees. This position requires advanced knowledge within a specific discipline.

This position will be filled as a Senior Engineering Technician or as a Lead Engineering Technician. The hiring manager will determine the job level based on the skills, experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

This position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact at a prestigious institution known for innovation and research excellence. Join our community of lifelong learners and contribute your skills to this critical program. At Purdue, you'll find unrivaled pride and unlimited potential as we persistently pursue the next giant leap together. Take the next step in your career journey - apply now to help build a better world at Purdue University.

What You'll Be Doing:

Fabrication/Construction: Use hand tools and various scales of powered tools in the fabrication and construction of mechanical, electrical, optical, and/or thermal systems.

Electrical: Perform electrical work, including installing equipment, motors, compressors, and instrumentation. Work with single and three phase AC voltages of 460, 240, 120, 24, and 12 on unpowered, locked-out circuits. Select and install various low-voltage control and instrumentation wire and cable including computer cables to appropriate codes and standards. Ensure installation is safe for the researcher to use in the environment in which the rig will be run.

Instrumentation and Equipment: Install and maintain transducers, gauges, and other instrumentation/equipment.
Graduate Student and Other Staff/Faculty Interaction: Work with graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff, anticipating and resolving design and safety procedure issues. Provide input to researchers on potential technical and safety problems with the design and work with them to develop solutions.

Laboratory Operations/Safety: Assist in safety checks on equipment after fabrication and at specified intervals to ensure safe, efficient operation of equipment. Train graduate students in operation of equipment relative to their research. Assess and enforce safety measures; assist with running experiment (operating machinery). May be required to be present while dangerous equipment is in operation. Responsible for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of research equipment. Perform preventative maintenance; repair wiring, oils, cleans, replaces belts, gears, bearings, motors, etc. Initiate requisitions when necessary. Maintain accurate records of time and materials used on various jobs. Check out tools and equipment. Assure that tools checked out are appropriate for the intended task. Assist in shipping and receiving of inventory and equipment for lab. Unload/load crates and items from under 100 lbs. to more than 3 tons using a forklift.

Welding/Brazing: Use gas, arc, TIG, and MIG to weld and braze various materials used to fabricate components used in test apparatus. Must braze dissimilar metals used in high- and low-pressure refrigeration systems. Must be familiar with all processes and be able to select the most appropriate process and filler material for a specific application. Welds in a variety of positions. Occasionally weld non-ferrous metals and alloys. Use Oxyacetylene cutting torch and Plasma Arc to flame cut metals of various alloys and thicknesses to precise shapes. Use electric soldering gun, spot welder, and thermocouple welder and various types of solder to join sheet metal, fabricate instrumentation, and repair castings.

About Us:
The School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University has a mission to change the world for the better, one student at a time. We began in 1882 as experts in locomotives (thus the name "Boilermakers!") and now in the 21st century, we continue to move the world forward by combining the latest technologies with the strongest of fundamentals.

About 2,000 undergraduate students are part of the Purdue ME family in West Lafayette, Indiana. As one of the broadest engineering disciplines, our students and faculty have the widest variety of interests and expertise. We maintain high standards, whether in the classroom, the laboratory, or the workplace. Purdue ME is one of the top ten schools in the country, as ranked by US News & World Report.

For more information about our department, please visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/ME

What We're Looking For:
Senior Engineering Technician

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, or related field

3 years of technician experience in a specialty discipline (e.g., machinist, electrician, HVAC, engine mechanic, pipefitting, sheet metal fabrication, and/or industrial controls/instrumentation)

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered (Associate's + 4 years of experience)

Strong skills/background related to the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration of complex mechanical, electrical, or scientific equipment and instrumentation.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical users.

Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with clients to uncover and resolve issues.

Demonstrated project development and project management successes.

Ability to lift and carry 25 to 50 pounds frequently and up to 60 pounds occasionally.

Lead Engineering Technician:

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, or related field

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered (Associate's + 6 years of experience)

5 years of technician experience in a specialty discipline (e.g., machinist, electrician, HVAC, engine mechanic, pipefitting, sheet metal fabrication, and/or industrial controls/instrumentation)

Significant experience and knowledge in the design, construction, troubleshooting of HVAC systems, electrical systems/components, and large engine/powertrain systems

Strong skills/background related to the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration of complex mechanical, electrical, or scientific equipment and instrumentation.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex technical issues to non-technical users.

Strong collaboration skills to effectively partner with clients to uncover and resolve issues.

Demonstrated project development and project management successes.

Ability to lift and carry 25 to 50 pounds frequently and up to 60 pounds occasionally.

Nice to have:

Experience working in a research environment and/or campus experience

University-certified as a forklift truck operator

EPA Section 608 certificate

CDL A license with Hazmat endorsement

Who We Are:
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

Additional Information:

This position will be filled as a Senior Engineering Technician or as a Lead Engineering Technician. The hiring manager will determine the job level based on the skills, experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.

Purdue's benefits summary https://www.purdue.edu/hr/Benefits/

Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position

A background check will be required for employment in this position

This was formerly classified as an operational/technical position; an internal lateral transfer will retain same benefit standing

FLSA: Non-Exempt (Eligible For Overtime)

Retirement Eligibility: Non-exempt Defined Contribution Plan

Purdue University is an EO/EA University

Career Stream
Compensation Information:
Administrative and Operational Support 3
Pay Band S060
Job Code#20003838
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

Administrative and Operational Support 4
Pay Band S065
Job Code#20003969
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

Posting Start Date: 2/26/25


To apply, please visit: https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Senior-Engineering-Technician/36114-en_US/







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