Electronics Technologist

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Internal posting expires on January 9, 2026

Valid G Driver’s License required

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Electronics Technologist provides support for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. Support encompasses assisting in the planning, implementation and management of the data acquisition systems and servo hydraulic controllers. The areas of research and the types of electronics used are continuously evolving and changing to keep pace with technology and institutional requirements, and the Electronics Technologist is expected to be responsive to these changing needs. Responsibility for the electronic equipment includes: electronic design, sourcing, programming application software, fabrication, troubleshooting, and maintenance of complex digital and analogue electronic testing equipment. This includes assisting faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and contract technicians working in the labs.

The Electronics Technologist is also expected to assist with the management of facilities, equipment, and supplies for a multi-user, multi-disciplined research area.

Key Accountabilities

Provide Technical Support for Research Activities

• Assist graduate students with their research and the use of laboratory equipment

• Assist in the assembly and commissioning of research apparatus

• Develop and demonstrate advanced operation of PID servo-hydraulic digital controllers which involve a PC based software controller interface, look after maintenance, trouble-shooting and calibration

• Be responsible for programming automation, servo-hydraulic and electromechanical controller software and hardware to meet user requirements and fulfill test program parameters and procedures

• Assist students to independently and efficiently perform test measurements using sophisticated instrumentation, including: voltage transducers (e.g., strain gauges, LVDT’s, string pots, DCDTs), current sensors, pumps, SDI-12 protocols, data acquisition hardware systems, MTS software and LabVIEW™ programming, calibrations and setup

• Be responsible for the maintenance, calibration and troubleshooting operations of legacy analogue and digital controller electronics and equipment including upgrading to newer systems and working with departmental IT for the upgrade to newer PCs

• Fabricating cable assemblies with connectors

• Provide instruction and act a resource for strain gauge installation techniques, which include temperature compensation, strain limits, surface preparation, adhesive selection, gauge installation, soldering and clamping

• Assist with the test set-up, repair, trouble-shooting, problem-solving, test modification, equipment calibration, evaluation and handling of research and test equipment in cooperation with other staff or faculty

• Work with other technicians, students, and faculty to support the design and implementation of test setups as required

Provide Technical Support for Teaching

• Supervise, instruct, and assist undergraduate students in the use of specialized testing equipment within the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department laboratories

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• Provide expert assistance in the use of MTS test controller software and instrumentation software, and hardware in order to ensure that standardized programming is utilized throughout projects and test set-ups

• Assist the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department with lab development

• Work with other technical staff and teaching assistants to ensure that all lab setups work properly as required

• Assist with the setup and running of departmental competitions and special events

General Accountabilities

• Maintain electronics in good working condition and managing the signing in and out of equipment

• Troubleshoot and maintain electronic laboratory equipment

• Assist in specifying hardware for specific applications

• Promote and maintain safety standards

• Assist in the management of laboratory spaces, including

o maintenance of Chemical and SDS inventory

o maintenance of equipment inventories

o supporting workplace inspections

o contributing the Department’s technical knowledge base

• Operate the forklift and overhead cranes as required

• General consulting, design, assembly, and revision of projects and equipment

• Be flexible and responsive to dynamic research and teaching needs

• Complete and maintain all HSE training required for the position

• Responsible for the safety of all users of all Department lab space with a focus on the Structures, Materials, Concrete and Fatigue (SMCF) labs. This includes ensuring that all work is conducted in a safe manner in accordance with UW safety policies and departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Other tasks include ordering safety materials, cleaning up work areas, removal and proper disposal of refuse, and overseeing user clean up

• Provide technical assistance in all Civil & Environmental Engineering laboratories, as required

• Other duties as assigned by the Technical Resources Manager

Required Qualifications

Education

• 3+ year Technologist diploma in Electronics Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

• Several years of experience in a research, academic or related industrial setting

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of instrumentation and data collection systems and methods is an asset

• Experience in programming and configuring test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, automation, servo hydraulics, destructive and fatigue testing. Experience with programming MTS controllers, LabVIEW™, Arduino boards, Raspberry Pi software and hardware is an asset.

• Knowledge and experience in civil and environmental engineering testing is an asset

• Strong computer skills

• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities

• Ability to maintain attention to detail in a fast paced, multitasking environment

• Flexible in assisting with new tasks as assigned

• Excellent written and oral communications

• Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, problem solving and analytical skills

• Experience working with hand and power tools, soldering irons and electronics test equipment

• Experience in lab course development and instruction is an asset

• Valid G Driver’s License required

• First Aid Certification is an asset

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.