UTS POSITION DESCRIPTION
UTS:ENGINEERING
POSITION TITLE
Technical Officer
UNIT/FACULTY
Engineering
POSITION PURPOSE
The Technical Officer is accountable for the provision of specialised Computerised Numerical
Control (CNC) machining and manufacturing expertise for undergraduate and postgraduate
laboratory classes and research projects in the laboratories of Mechanical and Mechatronics
Engineering.
DIMENSIONS
The Technical Officer provides support for 9 laboratory areas for the Mechatronic and Intelligent
Systems (MIS) group. There are approximately 400 students in the MIS field of practice. Each
semester 36 laboratory classes are delivered for 11 undergraduate subjects and postgraduate
electives as required. The Technical Officer will also provide technical support to capstone
students and postgraduate research students as required. There have been up to 10 capstone
students and at least 5 research students utilising the laboratories each semester.
RELATIONSHIPS
Supervision
The Technical Officer is one of four staff members that report to the Manager, Manufacturing
Processes and Research Laboratory. There are no positions that report to the Technical Officer.
Collaboration and Communication
Internally, the Technical Officer liaises with the Manager, Manufacturing Processes and Research
Laboratory, academics and students to ensure the toolmaking needs of the laboratory are met.
Externally, the Technical Officer communicates with suppliers to determine suitable stock and
materials for maintenance purposes.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The Technical Officer:

Is responsible for delivering practical classes that demonstrate fundamental machining
operations. This includes surface and cylindrical grinding, milling, turning and gear cutting.
The students need to be able to shown the application of each operation in a production
environment and the reasons for each operation.

Directly supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students to assist with procedures
and operations for CNC machining and metrology. The main priority is that the equipment
is safely operated. The students must demonstrate process efficiencies, correct tool
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paths, cutting speeds and feed rates, depending on the material, geometry, required
tolerances and surface finishes.

Completes required machining and toolmaking projects needed for practical classes and
research and consulting projects in the laboratories. The machined products must meet
the original specification, including required tolerances and surface finishes, within the
agreed timeframes.

Performs routine machine maintenance to ensure the practical classes and research
projects are uninterrupted. This involves machine calibration, replacing or sharpening tool
pieces, maintaining correct fluid levels and viscosities and keeping the machines clean
and free of swarf.

Assists in keeping the laboratories in a functional state. This requires reorganising
equipment and materials, laboratory cleaning and housekeeping.

Is accountable for ensuring that the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policies of the
university are implemented and adhered to at all times. Knowledge of EHS procedures is
essential for working in the laboratory environment. Ensuring appropriate certification of
students is the most important safety consideration. Documentation of risk assessments,
safe work method statements, material safety data sheets and operational procedures is
also required.
ENVIRONMENT AND POSITION CHALLENGES
The Technical Officer must;

Ensure toolmaking projects are completed in a timely manner, so as not to disrupt or delay
student assessment.

Maintain knowledge of current CNC machining and manufacturing technologies

Adapt current technologies to technically diverse laboratory areas
AUTHORITY TO ACT
The Technical Officer works under general direction. The Technical Officer is guided by the
Manager, Manufacturing Processes and Research Laboratory and relevant academic staff.
Safety & Wellbeing responsibilities
All staff must:


Take reasonable care of, and cooperate with actions taken to protect, the health
and safety of both themselves and others
report all accidents, incidents and hazards to their supervisor as soon as is
practicable
Supervisors and managers of staff and facilities must do whatever is reasonably practical
to ensure that both the workplace and the work itself are safe, in consultation with staff
affected.
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ORGANISATION CHART
Please see attached.
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APPROVALS
Incumbent
Supervisor
(if required)
Manager
(minimum level Dean/Director)
Name:
Matthew Low
Lothar Weber
Title:
Manager, Manufacturing Processes
and Research Laboratory
Technical Services and Assets
Manager
Signature:
Date:
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