Job Summary
The Ray W. Herrick Laboratories is seeking to fill a Laboratory Operations Specialist position, which will provide guidance and support to students and faculty in an engineering research setting. The position will assist faculty and graduate students with the design and execution of complex engineering experiments. The position will ensure quality control of laboratory engineering projects and compliance with applicable regulations. 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. The position will ensure compliance with safety systems and practices to minimize risk of failure in the research/testing environment. Additionally, the Laboratory Operations Specialist will support collaborative research projects across campus that involve Herrick faculty and students.
What You'll Be Doing:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Qualified Candidates will need:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, or related field
- 2 years of laboratory operations experience in a specialty discipline (e.g., machinist, electrician, HVAC, pipefitting, sheet metal fabrication, and/or industrial controls/instrumentation)
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Skills needed:
- 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:
- Significant experience and knowledge in the design, construction, troubleshooting of HVAC systems, electrical systems/components, and large engine/powertrain systems.
- Experience working in a research environment and/or campus experience is preferred.
- Desirable to be university-certified as a forklift truck operator.
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:
- 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
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period
- Purdue University is an EO/EA University
Career Stream
Compensation Information:
Professional 2
Pay Band S065
Job Code#20003177
Link to Purdue University's Compensation Guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt