- Full-time, ongoing position
- Based primarily at Hawthorn campus (with work across other Swinburne campuses as required)
- HEW 7 salary + 17% super
About the Role
Swinburne University of Technology is seeking a Senior Technical Coordinator to provide high-level technical leadership and coordination across the Smart Structures Laboratory (SSL) and Digital Construction Laboratory (DCL) within the School of Engineering.
Reporting to the Laboratory Manager – Smart Structures and Digital Construction, this role is responsible for leading and coordinating technical operations, supervising technical staff, and ensuring the safe, efficient and high-quality delivery of structural and component testing services across teaching, research and commercial activities.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical engineering knowledge, initiative and problem-solving capability. You will work closely with laboratory engineers, academic staff and external clients, while actively contributing to daily laboratory operations and leading the technical team by example.
The role plays a critical part in maintaining advanced testing capability, supporting industry engagement, and ensuring the laboratories operate to the highest standards of safety, reliability and professionalism.
About You
You are an experienced senior technical professional with a strong background in structural or heavy engineering laboratories. You combine deep technical expertise with proven leadership capability and enjoy mentoring staff, coordinating complex work programs and supporting high-impact research and industry projects.
You will bring demonstrated experience in many of the following areas:
- Leading and coordinating technical operations within a large, complex engineering laboratory environment.
- Supervising and mentoring technical staff, sessionals and students, including setting expectations, delegating work and supporting professional development.
- Operating, programming and maintaining advanced structural testing equipment, including servo-hydraulic systems, hydraulic actuators and Universal Testing Machines.
- Providing expert technical advice across specimen preparation, test rig setup, instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
- Designing and fabricating complex components, fixtures and bespoke testing solutions using CAD tools and workshop techniques.
- Constructing formwork and supporting concrete specimen preparation and testing activities.
- Supporting research, teaching and commercial testing projects, including liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
- Managing laboratory safety systems, including risk assessments, safe work instructions, inductions and chemical compliance.
- Demonstrating strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills in a dynamic, high-demand environment.
You will be comfortable balancing strategic oversight with hands-on technical work, and you will demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, quality and continuous improvement.
Why Swinburne?
Swinburne is a future-focused, industry-engaged university with a strong reputation in applied research and innovation. The Smart Structures and Digital Construction Laboratories are flagship facilities supporting advanced research, industry collaboration and experiential student learning. In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape laboratory capability, lead a skilled technical team, and contribute directly to high-profile engineering projects with real-world impact.
Qualifications
To be eligible for this role, you will have:
- A degree in Civil Engineering with relevant work experience, or
- A relevant associate diploma with at least five years’ subsequent relevant experience.
Additional Requirements
- A current Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain prior to commencement).
- A valid driver’s licence.
- Licences or certificates (or a commitment to obtain) for operating:
- Forklift
- Scissor lift / Elevated Work Platform (EWP)
- Overhead crane
- Dogman’s licence
More About Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.
Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.
What We Offer You!
- Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
- Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
- Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.
Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!
To Apply
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.
To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [contact details available in the full listing]
Applications Close: Sunday 10 May 2026, at 11.00pm
Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.
Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.
We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.
We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact [contact details available in the full listing] or call [contact details available in the full listing].
Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to the Talent Acquisition team at [contact details available in the full listing] (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).
Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes. As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.
As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.
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