Job Summary

Under general supervision of the department chair, this position provides technical support to design, manufacture, and maintain complex equipment and unique instrumentation as required for instruction, research, and individual projects. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of assigned equipment design, fabrication, and construction for unique, highly technical and prototype equipment or systems, including maintenance and repair. This position requires the independent application of knowledge of equipment design principles and extensive practical experience.

This position exercises independent judgment, discretion, ingenuity, and innovation to resolve complex technical problems and provides substantive input to the department regarding the acquisition of equipment, additional resources, and facility needs. The incumbent is responsible to provide the leadership necessary to streamline and maintain effective laboratory operation, coordinates with the department chair on budget and procurement requests, hires and manages student assistants to support BMED teaching and research spaces, supports students with design and senior projects as needed, and coordinates the full scope of department safety policies including lab safety.

Department technical and instructional support staff in the College of Engineering are part of a broader instructional and equipment support team and work together collaboratively to innovate and develop best practices.

Department Summary

The Biomedical Engineering (BMED) Department is a major academic unit within the College of Engineering, located at the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus. Offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees, the department prepares students for careers in Biomedical Engineering (BMED), emphasizing hands-on learning experiences and core competencies that can serve a wide variety of industries. The department consists of tenure line faculty, lecturers, an administrative support position, and this position, the Biomedical Engineering Department Technician.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to design, fabricate, operate, and assemble prototypes and unique equipment, typically one-offs for research applications and independent projects. The scope of these prototypes varies greatly from mechanical, to electro-mechanical, to specialized equipment.
• Ability to apply previous experience and knowledge to design new applications.
• Knowledgeable of or ability to quickly learn the use, design, and maintenance of specialized biomedical engineering equipment.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in the use of basic hand tools to advanced machining methods, and machine tools, rapid prototyping machines, and other fabricating processes on materials such as plastics, composites, and metals.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in electrical systems (electric motors), electronic circuits (analog and digital), pneumatics, pumps, piping, and installation and calibration of instrumentation sensors and data acquisition.
• Knowledge of solid modeling programs (e.g. SolidWorks, Fusion, AutoCAD, etc.) and an ability to create, read, manipulate, understand, and evaluate 2D and 3D solid models in CAD. Ability to perform engineering calculations to support design and other work.
• Ability to read and understand wiring schematics, blueprints, and equipment manuals.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to three years of progressively responsible journey-level or skilled experience in the maintenance, repair and operation of scientific or technical equipment in the specialty area to which assigned, including one year involving design modifications and fabrication of complex and highly technical equipment.
• Equivalent to two years of semi-skilled experience maintaining and repairing scientific or technical equipment or related equipment experience as part of instructional support activities may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• Equivalent to two years of trade school or technical arts training with specialization in the type of equipment repair to which assigned. completion of an apprenticeship program, or completion of a full military specialization in the required type of equipment maintenance and repair may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:

• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $72,516 - $90,156 Per Year

Classification Range: $58,140 - $105,180 Per Year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.