Hardware Engineering Technician

About Northiana:

Northiana is a Vancouver-based R&D company, founded in 2023, developing Continuous Multilayered Encapsulation (CME) — a technology that moves viscous fluids such as heavy crude, bitumen, and mine tailings through existing pipelines at a fraction of the pumping pressure they would otherwise require. CME forms a high-strength hydrogel capsule around the fluid, cutting drag and abrasion inside the line for more efficient flow, lower energy use, and less wear on infrastructure already in the ground.

The company is now moving from validated results to industrial scale, building a pilot facility in Vancouver and preparing a field demonstration on a commercial pipeline with a major Canadian midstream partner. The team is small and much of the equipment is built rather than bought, so the people we hire will have their hands on the hardware and the chemistry from the start. We value curiosity, collaboration, and ownership, and prior oil and gas experience is not required — we hire for capability and attitude.

The Role:

Hardware Engineering Technician

Location: Vancouver, BC — pilot facility

Reports to: VP of Product Development

Type: Full-time

Northiana is looking for an Engineering Technician to support the buildout and operation of our new development space in Vancouver, which includes a pipeline pilot facility housing CME injector assemblies, the end-of-pipe separation systems, and instrumented flow loops. The role will involve mechanical assembly of pilot equipment from drawings, fabrication of frames and small weldments, electrical and instrumentation terminations, and hands-on support through commissioning and troubleshooting.

Once the system is running, the Engineering Technician will operate it alongside the engineering team during test campaigns and keep the shop, tooling, and consumables in the condition the facility needs. Under the supervision of the Engineering Lead, the technician will plan and execute assigned work, document equipment configurations and modifications, and contribute to the safe operation of the facility. We are looking for a self-motivated, proactive individual with hands-on mechanical and fabrication experience who is comfortable working with experimental systems and eager to contribute in a fast-paced R&D environment. Please note that this role is in person and not remote.

Primary Responsibilities:

● Mechanically assemble pilot equipment, including injector assemblies, separation hardware, pumps, piping, and instrumentation.

● Run and terminate electrical and instrumentation connections to pumps, flow meters, and pressure transmitters.

● Fabricate small weldments, frames, brackets, and fixtures, using in-house and UBC shop facilities as required.

● Support commissioning, leak checks, and troubleshooting as the system is brought online.

● Operate the pilot system alongside the engineering team during test campaigns.

● Maintain shop organization, tooling, and consumables in working order.

● Work safely around pressurized systems, rotating equipment, and chemicals, and support the development of safe work procedures.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

● Diploma in mechanical, manufacturing, or instrumentation technology (BCIT or similar).

● Hands on mechanical assembly experience, whether from co-op, shop, trades, or personal build work.

● Fabrication capability, including small weldments.

● Ability to work from mechanical drawings and P&IDs.

● Must have good verbal and written communication skills.

● Experience with Solidworks, CAM software, LabVIEW, and Arduino.

● Welding tickets or certification is considered an asset.

● Hands on electrical or instrumentation wiring experience is considered an asset.

● Experience commissioning or starting up new equipment and instrumentation is considered an asset.

● Familiarity with pumps, valves, and pressure piping is considered an asset.

Northiana is dedicated to helping its employees grow and develop technical and soft skills in an innovative and collaborative environment. Northiana is an equal opportunity employer with an inclusive culture. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pay: $70,000.00-$90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Extended health care
• Vision care

Work Location: In person