Lab Assistant Jobs in Burnaby, BC (NOW HIRING)

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 MTC's 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 You'll 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 MTC's 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 MTC's 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.