Lab & Maintenance Technician

Job Description

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 departments 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 departments technical infrastructure and ensuring that its facilities and equipment effectively support teaching research and departmental operations.

Duties of the position will include:
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.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$60000-$75000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 1 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Review of applications will begin November 1 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is January 4 2027.

Applicants must submit:

A cover letter describing their interest in the position (up to one page)
A curriculum vitae
Names and contact information for three professional references

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt Prosim(That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.