Fire Engineering Laboratory Manager

Te Tari Pūhanga Metarahi me te Taiao | Civil and Environmental Engineering Department

Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
• Permanent position
• Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā

He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Fire Engineering Laboratory Manager? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

As the Fire Engineering Laboratory Manager in UC's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in supporting world-class teaching and research in fire engineering. You will provide specialist technical leadership across laboratory operations designing, constructing, and maintaining complex experimental setups and ensure the safe and efficient management of facilities, staff, and equipment.

This role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic oversight to help UC maintain its strong international reputation for excellence in fire engineering research and education.

Mōu | Who You Are

You are an experienced and highly skilled technical professional with a strong background in engineering, fabrication, and laboratory management. You lead by example, fostering a culture of innovation, professionalism, and respect within a diverse academic community, and have the following skills:

• Significant relevant trade experience in an engineering or laboratory environment.
• Advanced specialised trade knowledge with a sound understanding of engineering principles and basic chemistry.
• Proven ability to design, fabricate, and weld complex components (to NZS4711 or equivalent standard) and machine materials to precise tolerances.
• Experience operating and maintaining analytical and experimental equipment, including gas analysers, calorimeters, and furnaces.
• Strong understanding of health and safety regulations and ability to implement safe operating procedures.
• Proficient in computer-controlled systems, data acquisition software, and standard Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to liaise effectively across academic, technical, and industry stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership, adaptability, and innovation, with a commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

Te Tari Pūhanga Metarahi me te Taiao | Civil and Environmental Engineering Department is globally recognised for excellence in research, innovation, and teaching. We deliver qualifications that open doors to international opportunities and career success. Our strong industry partnerships, world-class facilities, and highly skilled staff ensure students receive outstanding training and research expertise.

Discover more about our department and take a virtual tour of our Engineering facilities on our website.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here.

We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. For more information, please visit us: .

For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit

The closing date for this position is: Tuesday, 28 October 2025 (midnight, NZ time)

Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.