Operations Manager

Closing Date: June 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Nanocomposites and Mechanics Laboratory (Mechanical Engineering)

UNB's Nanocomposites and Mechanics Laboratory (NCM Lab) is located in the Mechanical Engineering department of the Faculty of Engineering. Guided by the core principle of delivering world-class engineering education leveraged with cutting-edge fundamental and applied research in materials science & engineering, advanced manufacturing, robotics & control, fluids & heat transfer, biomedical, and bioengineering, the department is the house of the Canadian Alliance for Cold Spray Technology (CACST), a unique research facility in Canada. The lab actively engages in collaborative partnerships with universities, industries, research organizations, and not-for-profits to support training undergraduate & graduate research students, postdoctoral fellows, and research professionals.

WHAT WE OFFER

Full -time | 1 Year Term | Fredericton | On-Campus

UNB is committed to ensuring employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Standard Work Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm | 40 hours per week

Salary Range: $53,482- $69,514 per annum (based on 36.25 hours per week)

YOUR FOCUS

Reporting to the Director of the Nanocomposites and Mechanics Laboratory, the Operations Manager works closely with the director of the lab on a mission to fulfill the research equipment operational needs in a safe and secure environment, along the way supporting day-to-day experimental scheduling of the infrastructure to accomplish both academic research and industry project demands.

• Ensure safe and scheduled operation of research/innovation infrastructure technologies located at the UNB COREhub including, but not limited to, a high-pressure cold spray (HPCS) system, high-pressure nitrogen gas trailer, high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) system, assortment of gas packs, gas atomization system, high-energy mechanical alloying (HE-MA) system, powered grit blasting system, radio-frequency plasma system, dust collector unit, industrial robot, spray booth, and particle tracking systems.
• Develop standard operating protocols (SOP) and safe training modules.
• Manage inventory of materials, consumables, parts & components to keep the infrastructure operation seamlessly.
• Learn and implement software programs to support operations of robot, particles tracking systems, and the spray guns.
• Control operational hazards related to powder manufacturing, spray coatings, and component building.
• Train students/researchers, technicians for safe work experience.
• Actively participate in professional development, training upgrading, and knowledge expansion.
• Complete regular scheduled and preventative maintenance, and timely calibration of infrastructure.
• Liaise with the UNB Facilities Management (FM) office to ensure the safe operations of infrastructure.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute the monthly hazardous waste disposal of residual powders and other materials.
• Provide research support to NCM Lab undergraduate interns, academic thesis/project students, postdoctoral fellows, and research personnel (faculty, visiting researchers), and innovation projects to meet deliverables on time.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/materials/metallurgical engineering.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience working in a research laboratory environment or a related field.
• Background in coatings deposition technologies, and knowledge in their characterization is required.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.

Additional Strengths

• Experience with facility infrastructure management with oversight of construction and health and safety would be considered an asset.
• Prior collaboration experience with industry would be considered an asset.
• A strong technical aptitude.
• Ability to stay up to date with industry trends/concepts and investigative procedures.

WHY CHOOSE UNB?

UNB offers a large variety of benefits for employees, including a full pension, a minimum of three weeks of vacation annually, the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and dental, life, and health insurance.

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL STAFF UNION (PTSU)

This position is part of the PSAC, Local 60551 employee group and falls under the PTSU Collective Agreement.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

The University of New Brunswick and PSAC/PTSU Local 60551 are committed to employment equity and fostering diversity within our community and developing an inclusive workplace that reflects the richness of the broader community that we serve. The University welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals who will help us achieve our goals, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

We thank all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.