We are looking for a hands-on Senior Laboratory Officer to help develop, integrate and operate advanced metal additive-manufacturing systems.

You will work on custom Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) machines and take technical responsibility for their sensor and monitoring systems. Your work will connect physical sensors, electrical interfaces, PLC I/O and research data systems, enabling reliable machine operation and in-situ process monitoring.

This role is suitable for someone with experience in instrumentation, electrical integration, industrial automation, mechatronics, machine building or test engineering. Previous additive-manufacturing experience is useful but not required. Training in LPBF operation and relevant laboratory procedures will be provided.

What You Will Work On

Sensor and monitoring integration

• Select, install, configure and test sensors for process and machine monitoring.
• Integrate signals from temperature, oxygen, chamber-condition, imaging, optical or acoustic sensors.
• Implement signal conditioning, grounding, shielding and noise-mitigation measures.
• Connect sensor signals to PLC, data-acquisition and monitoring systems.
• Diagnose sensor, signal-quality and machine-monitoring problems during commissioning and experimental builds.

Electrical and machine integration

• Support electrical wiring and integration of sensors, actuators, valves, safety devices and machine I/O.
• Assist with control-panel work, cable routing, connector installation and machine assembly.
• Support the implementation and verification of emergency stops, safety interlocks and residual-oxygen monitoring.
• Conduct system testing, troubleshooting and commissioning together with mechanical, laser, controls and software engineers.

LPBF machine operation

• Operate LPBF systems for machine commissioning, process development and research builds.
• Carry out build preparation, chamber setup, process monitoring and post-build activities.
• Receive training in LPBF operation, metal-powder handling and applicable safety procedures if required.
• Record machine parameters, observations and build outcomes to support technical evaluation.

Technical documentation and laboratory support

• Prepare and maintain wiring diagrams, sensor inventories, signal-flow diagrams and as-built records.
• Support the technical evaluation and procurement of sensors, electrical components and machine parts.
• Liaise with vendors on component selection, installation, troubleshooting and acceptance testing.
• Contribute to equipment reliability, laboratory safety and continuous improvement.

Essential requirements

• Diploma or degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, Automation or a related discipline.
• Practical experience with sensors, industrial equipment, test systems, automation systems or machine integration.
• Basic understanding of analogue and digital signals, electrical interfacing, grounding and electrical noise.
• Hands-on ability in electrical wiring, equipment assembly, troubleshooting or laboratory work.
• Ability to document technical work clearly and systematically.
• Willingness to learn LPBF operation and work safely in a research laboratory and machine-development environment.

Useful experience, but not mandatory

Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:

• Industrial sensors or data-acquisition systems
• PLC I/O, Beckhoff systems or EtherCAT
• Optical, thermal, gas, imaging or acoustic sensors
• Control-panel wiring or machine commissioning
• Python, LabVIEW or other data-logging tools
• Additive manufacturing, laser systems or process monitoring
• Semiconductor, automation, precision-engineering or advanced-manufacturing equipment

Candidates are not expected to have experience in all these areas.

Personal Attributes

• Enjoys practical engineering and hands-on problem-solving.
• Methodical and attentive to signal quality, wiring details and safety.
• Able to troubleshoot independently while working closely with a multidisciplinary team.
• Willing to learn unfamiliar equipment and technologies.
• Takes pride in building reliable, maintainable systems and producing clear technical records.

What the Role Offers

• Hands-on involvement in developing and commissioning custom metal additive-manufacturing machines.
• Exposure to advanced sensing, process monitoring, automation and LPBF technologies.
• Opportunities to work across hardware, controls, software and manufacturing experiments.
• Training and development toward becoming a technical specialist in advanced manufacturing instrumentation and machine integration.
• Collaboration with scientists and engineers working on applied research and industry-oriented technology development.