Job Description

Staff - Union
Job Category CUPE 116
Job Profile CUPE 116 Salaried - Engineering Technician 4
Job Title Engineering Technician 4 (Electronic Design Specialist)
Department IT and Shops | Department of Chemistry | Faculty of Science
Compensation Range $6,889.00 - $7,350.00 CAD Monthly
Posting End Date December 4, 2025
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.
Job End Date December 31, 2026
Position will be at 0.6 FTE.
At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.
Job Summary
Designs and implements custom electronic circuits used in Chemistry research and teaching. Carries out maintenance and repair of specialized instrumentation and systems used for teaching and research in Chemistry. Provides consultation services to faculty and researchers regarding the design and maintenance of experimental equipment.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Manager, Electronics Engineering Services.
Work Performed
- Designs, fabricates, tests, and commissions electronic and electromechanical circuits for use in sophisticated research equipment.
- Diagnoses faults in scientific instrumentation and carries out necessary repairs or modification using equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, frequency counters, generators, meters and analysers.
- Implements and maintains safety requirements for any equipment used in the department, and advises users of safe use of equipment, ensuring that unsafe equipment is removed from service.
- Carries out related duties as necessary, in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of the job.
- Assists in maintenance of the technical reference library and instrumentation manuals, and in maintaining the shop parts inventory.
Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Eng Tech IV is responsible for equipment used in teaching laboratories, research laboratories, and departmental services. While most errors or poor decisions are rectifiable within the work unit, it is possible that errors could affect:
- Teaching schedules, leading to student dissatisfaction with the teaching laboratories
- Research progress, resulting in loss of funding or delays for graduate students
The Eng Tech IV must be aware that errors or poor workmanship could lead to a safety hazard affecting students, staff, or faculty, and take measures to ensure that all work is checked for safe operation.
Supervision Received
Work is carried out without technical advice and often without documented procedures, thus requiring the exercise of initiative and judgement as well as the application of technical knowledge in resolving complex design and operational problems. The employee selects the appropriate methods and techniques and develops individual work plans.
Supervision Given
May be required to supervise other technicians, checking their work for accuracy and completeness. Co-ordinates the work of others, including other Chemistry technical staff. Gives technical advice to junior personnel and users of facilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Preferred Qualifications
Graduation from a technical college or institute or completion of a recognized apprenticeship.Graduation from a 2 year technical program specializing in electronic circuitry and instrumentation.Minimum 5 years of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum of 5 years practical experience in scientific or research work. Experience developing pulsed high voltage/high current applications such as electromagnet or flash lamp drivers is required. Knowledge and experience working with FPGA and microcontroller is preferred, as is a working knowledge of robotic systems control.

Skills Required