Design and Experiential Learning Engineer
University of Alberta — Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posted 2026-11-03
Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.
Reporting to the Technical Services Manager in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, the Design and Experiential Learning Engineer plays a key role in advancing hands-on engineering education and research excellence across the Faculty. This position bridges educational innovation and technical execution by leading the conceptualization, design, and implementation of specialized learning stations - equipping students from undergraduate to doctoral levels with advanced technical skill sets that distinguish our programs in Canada.
In addition to driving experiential learning initiatives, the role serves as a primary technical advisor for multi-disciplinary research projects across Construction, Environmental, Geotechnical, Mining, Petroleum, Structural, Transportation, and Water Resources Engineering. Working closely with principal investigators, student researchers, lab technicians, and industry partners, the Engineer supports custom test setup design, dynamic laboratory operations, data acquisition, and undergraduate teaching labs. Across all activities, the position maintains an uncompromised focus on safety, ensuring operational excellence and strict compliance with university and regulatory standards, particularly within high-risk environments such as the full-scale destructive testing laboratory.
Technical Advising & Research Support
- Provide expert instrumentation and control system design across multi-disciplinary research groups in Civil, Mining, and Petroleum Engineering.
- Conduct design reviews and advise researchers and technicians on complex experimental setups, ensuring compliance with relevant engineering standards (e.g., ASME, ASTM, API, CSA, IEEE, ISO).
- Oversee test setup implementations, assisting with procurement, fabrication, and test execution for high-scope research projects.
Learning Station & Project Management
- Lead the conceptualization, design, build, and commissioning of evolving hands-on learning stations in alignment with departmental educational goals.
- Collaborate with instructors, researchers, technical services, safety teams, tradespeople, and external vendors to execute project builds smoothly and safely.
- Maximize resource efficiency and maintain project schedules to minimize research backlogs.
Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)
- Develop standard operating procedures, hazard identification guidelines, and safety protocols for learning stations in accordance with university and legislative standards.
- Design and implement engineering controls to mitigate physical hazards in research and testing environments.
- Establish training and orientation standards for students and researchers utilizing specialized learning centers and assigned laboratories.
Lab Operations & Teaching Support
- Support undergraduate teaching laboratories, including equipment setup, maintenance, consumables management, and safety documentation development.
- Ensure learning facilities and equipment remain fully operational, functional, and safe, liaising with facility tradespeople for necessary infrastructure enhancements.
Team Leadership & Financial Oversight
- Coordinate and mentor technical support staff and co-op students assigned to learning center development and operations.
- Manage project budgets by strategically sourcing components, tracking development costs, and ensuring alignment with capital and operational allocations.
Education and Professional Designation
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) required; Master of Science in ECE preferred.
- Professional Registration: Registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation required.
Professional Experience
- Required Experience: 8+ years of diverse experience in R&D, physical testing environments, and experimental setup design.
- Standards & Compliance: Proven track record of delivering projects in strict compliance with established engineering standards (e.g., ASME, ASTM, API, CSA, IEEE, ISO).
- Instrumentation & Control: Advanced expertise in instrumentation design, installation, calibration, custom control system programming, and real-time equipment communication/monitoring.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership, decision-making, and supervisory skills, with a track record of effective collaboration across diverse teams of researchers, students, and staff.
Core Technical Competencies
- Sensor Proficiency: Demonstrated experience with various transducers (e.g., strain gauges, pressure transducers, LVDTs, thermocouples, or accelerometers).
- Mechanical Aptitude: Strong ability to build, "rig," and troubleshoot physical test setups.
- Data Integrity: High level of accuracy and attention to detail regarding signal quality and calibration.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to consult with a diverse population of students and researchers.
- IT Literacy: Proficiency with computer hardware, OS installation, and software-side troubleshooting.
Asset Qualifications & Specialized On-the-Job Training(Training provided upon hire if required)
- Proficiency with LabVIEW and advanced Data Acquisition (DAQ) software suites.
- Certification in Crane and Forklift operation.
- Basic machining operations (lathe, mill, saws, sheet metal fabrication) and woodworking skills.
Application Instructions
Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter in one PDF file. In your cover letter, please address the following:
- Technical Challenge: Briefly describe one specific instrumentation or DAQ challenge you have encountered and solved.
- Cultural Competency: Why are you well-suited to work with individuals from a variety of cultural and academic backgrounds?
- Continuous Learning: Provide an example of how you have independently developed a new technical skill to handle a challenging project.
This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.