R&D Lab & Testing Specialist Mass Timber Hardware

R&D Lab & Testing Specialist - Mass Timber Hardware

MTC Solutions designs tests and supplies structural hardware for commercial timber and mass timber construction. Our products include screws beam hangers connectors and connection systems that help engineers and builders connect large timber components safely efficiently and reliably.

The R&D Lab & Testing Specialist is part of MTC Solutions Research & Development team and will help commission operate and continuously improve MTCs internal structural testing laboratory in the Greater Vancouver area. This title is intentionally broad. A strong engineering technologist civil engineer mechanical engineer timber engineer graduate student laboratory specialist or technically experienced testing professional could be an excellent fit if they are practical organized hands-on and motivated by physical testing.

This is a hands-on technical role for someone who understands how to turn an engineering test plan into a safe repeatable and well-documented physical test. You will work closely with MTC engineers to prepare specimens and fixtures operate structural testing equipment and instrumentation collect reliable data troubleshoot test setups maintain laboratory systems and keep testing programs moving.

The position will initially include a strong commissioning and project-management component as MTC brings new testing equipment and laboratory systems online. As the lab becomes fully operational the role will become the primary day-to-day technical owner of lab operations and test execution while continuing to support R&D product-development projects.

What Youll Do

• Lab commissioning: Support and drive setup installation commissioning validation and documentation of new laboratory equipment instrumentation and testing systems.
• Structural testing: Set up and execute structural and product tests in accordance with engineering test plans and applicable procedures.
• Test program coordination: Coordinate schedules materials specimens fixtures equipment internal resources and external support required to keep testing programs on track.
• Material procurement: Work with the engineering team to develop test material lists and support cost-effective procurement of testing materials.
• Equipment operation: Operate structural testing equipment hydraulic systems load frames actuators data-acquisition systems load cells displacement sensors and related equipment.
• Test setup: Prepare specimens reaction systems fixtures instrumentation and equipment required for testing.
• Instrumentation and data: Install and verify instrumentation collect test data maintain organized test records and provide reliable data packages to engineers for analysis.
• Fixture and specimen preparation: Coordinate or assist with fabrication machining assembly modification and procurement of test fixtures prototypes and specimens.
• Lab operations: Maintain an organized efficient and safe laboratory environment including inventory housekeeping equipment readiness and workflow planning.
• Equipment maintenance: Coordinate calibration preventative maintenance troubleshooting repairs and equipment records.
• Project management: Own assigned lab and testing projects maintain schedules and project records coordinate stakeholders identify roadblocks and drive work through completion.
• Documentation: Maintain clear records of test configurations procedures photographs equipment settings calibration data revisions and completed testing.
• Continuous improvement: Help develop standard operating procedures and identify improvements to testing methods equipment workflow safety and laboratory operations.
• R&D support: Support engineers with prototype development test planning product validation and practical problem solving as new connection products are developed.
  
  

Who You Are

• You are organized practical and hands-on. You enjoy the challenge of taking a technical test requirement and figuring out how to execute it safely and efficiently in the real world.
• You are comfortable around equipment and instrumentation but you are also the person who keeps track of what needs to happen next who is responsible what is missing and whether the test will actually be ready on time.
• You do not wait for someone else to connect every dot. When something does not fit align communicate or behave as expected you troubleshoot it methodically and work with the appropriate engineer vendor contractor or Operations team member to find a practical solution.
• You take pride in a well-run lab reliable test data clear records safe procedures and projects that move forward.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Civil Engineering Technology Mechanical Engineering Technology Timber Engineering Structural Engineering Materials Technology Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• Approximately 3 years of relevant structural/materials testing laboratory project coordination construction materials product-development or industrial technical experience preferred.
• Recent graduates or graduate students with strong structural testing research fabrication laboratory or hands-on engineering experience will also be considered.
• Experience working in a structural materials university certification building-products or industrial testing laboratory is strongly preferred.
• Experience coordinating technical projects laboratory programs equipment installation or multi-step test programs.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and understand basic structural concepts including loads reactions connections fixtures and material behaviour.
• Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude and comfort working with tools fixtures heavy equipment prototypes and physical test setups.
• Familiarity with hydraulic systems load frames actuators load cells LVDTs/displacement sensors instrumentation or data-acquisition systems is considered a strong asset.
• Experience with timber mass timber structural connections fasteners building products or construction materials is considered an asset.
• Strong organizational documentation and project-management skills.
• Ability to coordinate contractors vendors Operations staff suppliers and engineers while keeping work moving toward an agreed schedule.
• Comfortable identifying when engineering input is required and working within defined technical responsibilities.
• Proficiency in English required.
  
  

Why This Role Matters

• Reliable testing is the foundation of MTCs technical credibility and future product development. This role makes that testing possible. By ensuring the lab is safe organized functional and capable of producing repeatable data you allow MTCs engineers to spend more time developing products and interpreting results while giving the company greater control over the speed and quality of its R&D program.
  
  

About MTC Solutions

• MTC Solutions is a North American leader in mass timber connection technology. We design test and supply structural hardware that helps engineers and builders realize safe efficient and beautiful timber structures. Our competitive edge comes from technical credibility practical problem solving and our ability to translate complex research into usable design solutions.
• We are a small agile and passionate team shaping the future of mass timber construction across North America. Your work will have a direct impact on products test programs design tools and technical resources used on real projects.
  
  

Closing

• We thank all candidates for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Required Experience:

Senior IC